Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming 218 Upgrade

Does it? If so, that makes the 218 awful, because I was very unimpressed with the MS600. Let me qualify that: Ratbert of this parish and I compared the $2000 (Chinese) Holo Audio Spring DAC to the MS600 (as a DAC) and it was absolutely no contest; the Spring wiped the floor with it. I was really disappointed that Meridian actually produced something so poor as the MS600 for that kind of money. There are a lot of outstanding (MQA and non-MQA) non-Meridian DACs out there for less than the 818v3.

* I assume we are talking analogue output?

I confirm Joel’s statement, I too was surprised and disappointed in the MS600’s analog performance, the Holo Audio Spring L3 DAC was so superior it was no contest, the view that the MS600’s analog output is excellent seems to be more ‘urban legend’ than fact.
One of Roon’s advantages over Sooloos is it allows people to mix and match endpoints from different manufacturers, Meridian Sooloos owners might be pleasantly surprised how much things have moved on, I was.

The comparison Joel refers to was using Roon into the DAC, analog out to Jadis i35 valve amp to Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution speakers.

I have a vague memory of someone here saying that that heirarchy was suggested my Meridian themselves when the 218 was launched?

Interesting to hear about the MS600/DAC comparison, there was a comment recently about the 218 output being uncompetitive with another DAC model, perhaps this bears out your hypothesis VK?

I had a 218 on loan recently to try as a digital endpoint. I thought it was quite good, although in comparison to the ID40/861v4, lacking in body a touch and with a slightly "insistent" quality. Given the cost difference, I was quite impressed nonetheless.

Cheers

George

PS Apologies for my ongoing lack of mastery of our Search feature preventing me from properly referencing those comments above!

Oh yes, digitally, the 218 is in another league.

The 218 definitely is a great DAC/streamer, especially for it's price.

Has anyone compared the lower/mid Lumins with the 218?

The 218 is good at digital, and the Spring needs a Roon bridge.

What do you think to feed the Spring with 218? Just curious, cause I am looking for good/inexpensive DAC lately.

Thank you

That would defeat the main purpose of the Spring in my opinion. You really want to use the Spring in NOS mode, which means - ideally - upsampling as much as possible prior to the Spring. The 218 will only output 96k...

The Spring doesn’t need a bridge, only if it’s not co-located with the Roon Core. But I’m sure you know that. I fed my Spring with a Matrix Audio X-SPDIF2 USB-to-I2S bridge, upsampling in Roon, and it was a superb combination - my gut feeling was that it was on a par with the 818v3 though I didn’t do a long-term comparison and sold it after 6 months to fund something else.

I was very impressed with the X-SPDIF2, which is built like a tank, and am therefore very interested in the new Matrix Audio element X. It claims to be Roon Ready, but that is jumping the gun a bit as it’s not yet certified. Still not cheap at $3000 list, but a lot cheaper than an 818v3; and it’s an MQA DAC.

Edit: And the element X has a hybrid digital/analogue volume control, so the designers have actually listened to what Bob has been saying.

Hah, too late, I just got myself a spring L2 (L3 is overseas exclusive).

I will check on the Matrix bridge, thanks for the recommendation, another alternative will be an ID41.

I will also test the Spring as part of my future non DSP HT setup, 861 or Trinnov digital outputs to several external DACs, that is why I said it has to be inexpensive.

Hi Joel,

I followed your link to the Matrix element X. Interesting piece--in my case it could replace my Berkeley DAC and Lumin streamer if, and it's a big if, the Matrix DAC is a very good DAC. I can't find any info that really compares it to DAC's I've heard so I'd be very interested to hear your impressions if you pursue it.

Ken

All I’ve read so far is Amir’s (take him or leave him) technical measurements on his own site. I saw one review which was full of the usual audiophile airy-fairy jibberish, so I’ve discounted it. We will see.

Does anyone know which DAC the 218 uses? Is it proprietary Meridian?

I just put the 218 up against the Lumin D2, and the Meridian had better resolution, depth, and soundstage. Thinking may just hold onto the 218 until have the budget to really move up the line.

Was that test at home in your system or at a dealer? Can you say more about how the test was set up?