Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP Speakers - New Firmware - MQA rendering refinements

Hi,

Like many people with Meridian processors, I currently have my G65 feeding into the 218 in order to get MQA playback on my SE speakers.

Am I correct in thinking that the new firmware will allow me to send MQA directly from the 218 auxiliary digital output to the speakers, rather than using the SL connection to the speaker. This would allow me to restore the SL connection from the G65 to the speakers and I wouldn't have to make all of the delay adjustments (in the processor) to account for the 218.

Brian

Hi Hector,

Apologies; I wasn't very clear. The Warnes recording was Redbook, FLAC via Qobuz. Given that the new firmware was said to offer "Improved sound-quality from standard PCM due to updates within the upsampling process and noise shaping algorithms", I wanted to see what a great recording might now sound like.

But it was also a sense check for me...the Blossom Dearie was so impressive, I thought I'd better go back to something familiar, but not MQA. But that was then shocking in itself. I'm sure if I had started with the Warnes I would have been very pleased, but the MQA was in a completely different league. I need to do more testing, as not all MQA is created equal it seems, but perhaps the new firmware changes that?

Apologies too for any implicit criticism of Blossom Dearie...I hadn't listened to her for many years, and wanted to test the new firmware with music less played. Then 'wow!', because I felt MQA and my equipment had created some kind of (not Hot Tub) time machine, and it so showcased the full greatness of her artistry. And what an artist!

Moments like this make you feel it has been all worth it. And then, if only to give payback to the vindictive actors on certain other forums, to start a blog to share reports on those great MQA transfers of very great music. This progress shouldn't be lost or buried.

Richard

I couldn’t agree more. However the Audiophile Inquisitors have waged Holy War on MQA and, like all good fanatics, will not be swayed by reason or, even worse, their own ears - those are just a test of faith and not to be trusted under any circumstances!

As I understand it, when it comes to extremism, counter-narrative is key. So I take my hat off to ChrisLayerCake (?) for trying elsewhere not to lose his values in the face of mind-numbing repetitive, skull-crushing simplicities and facile pseudo-science.

Still back on topic, be good to hear how others are finding the firmware update

Richard

Couldn't agree more!

Cheers
George

Also agree and have put in my own penny and a half in those dark places. However, to give the crusaders their due, they do have a fairly solid technical argument and it does appear the claims of MQA are somewhat overstated. It is about the music though. No denying the sound but if it happens to come from a better master...

I think many of us here are all too aware of how poorly conceived comms plans for both Meridian and MQA have not helped the business, especially given such a loyal user base. However, in all of the endeavours, there has always been a class leading genius that keeps you listening.

The black box aspect of MQA clearly drives curiosity (Chris Connaker still seems to be trying to get John Atkinson's MQA files; why, when the case against MQA is apparently sewn up?) and better comms may have helped with that. But then I have often wondered though if anyone truly understands all of the dimensions of MQA enough to communicate them? The extent of the folding or compression is so extraordinary, especially when compared with the file size of the source, uncompressed PCM, that it seems to meet the criteria for one of Clarke's 3 laws:

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

And in the mix is the reality that the creation of the MQA version may, effectively be a remastering?

A sad day though, as the Amazon Music HD looks remarkably like the MQA site (or Roon for that matter) with partners listed. Stuart perhaps again driving innovation, without necessarily profiting from it?

Richard

My 8k SE upgraded are version 3.08 and my streaming has been consistent, works as advertised.

Currently the speakers will display MQA then the number. Since I'm not experiencing problems with the current version nor limitations would you guys still recommend the update or should I leave well enough alone?

The firmware update would be a good test, if the speakers can not be updated then you still have problems, by the way what did you do to make your previously unstable system stable?

They do still take 15-20 seconds and for some reason my FM tuner doesn't play well, but CD and streaming have been great since the 'SE' upgrade.

I don't understand enough about how or where the analog FM gets converted to digital and then back so I’m not going to send them out for service.

They shouldn’t take 15-20 seconds to lock on, or ‘settle’. No pair of DSPs I’ve had, or heard, has done this. The firmware upgrade might clear this behaviour, but if not I would get them looked at.

Probably the last thing I was hoping to hear as I was already without them for 3 months during the update, but I'll continue with the M rep that responded to my query.