Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Is the 861 a dead end?

This article CE Pro Meridian Live Showcases Cinemas 200 Series gives an insight into the Meridian Live event put on last month at Huntingdon, to which system integrators and the media were invited.

On the plus side, it’s definitely seems to be the case that the upcoming products - e.g. the 271 theatre controller - exist now in the flesh. So hopefully not too long before we see production models all over the place at the ‘many’ M dealers showrooms.

On the minus side, in reference to the 271, there is a not unexpected comment made by the author regarding M’s future entry into immersive audio.

“The unit is compatible with any 3D audio processor, which is convenient since Meridian Audio doesn’t have a unit of its own, and has no immediate plans to build one.”

Given he was actually there at the M headquarters, one has to assume (?) that he didn’t invent that latter comment?

So whilst the 861 may still be up there as a fantastic sounding processor, for someone like myself who for a long time has been chomping at the bit to get into 3D audio, it is looking like my only path will be to kick the 861 into touch and purchase a 271 paired with a 3rd party processor.

The ‘only’ problem now, is finding the right partner processor. A unit like the Arcam AV860 processor would on the face of it be a relatively inexpensive choice, that would probably sound great. But it wouldn’t offer the ideal interconnect possibilities offered by the Trinnov or Datasat. I have no desire to pay M++ prices for my new purchase.

Ironic, now that I’ve finally decided I ‘must’ jump ship (for movies at least) to a different manufacturer, I once again find myself having to wait again for the ideal partner processor to arrive. Anyone else faced with the same dilemma?

btw nice to see at least that M marketing are willing to be more proactive, there are now a couple of M produced videos on YouTube showing you how to install DSP inwalls.