Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Linear Power Supply Meridian 218

Not difficult. As I said, the hardest thing is to find a good sheet metal cover plate to where the IEC C5 was located. I had a DC cover plate from a HDPLEX acessories box so I borrowed that one.

I had this mod performed for me, but I wanted it done professionally. I had taken on me to find the cover plate though.

Hmm this SMPS psu (iFi ipower Elite) might actually be a bit better than I initially thought. It has been steadily improving in the bass and soundstage width, height and depth since the 1 week mark. My original plan was to benchmark it against a HDplex 100 when it plateaued. But now I’m not even sure it will be a fair fight..

Plugged in an early version of HDPLEX 100 (160W?) which I had in storage to the 210.

At first it was a bit sluggish like slowly waking up. The PSU is literally cold to the touch so the 210 with wifi disabled is very efficient.

After a while though the soundstage was slowly expanding and perhaps a bit wider. Now what is different from the elite is that elite is like an elite gymnast doing everything ”perfect” but the hdplex has a richer tone that I enjoy. It’s not as exact or have super-low noisefloor like the elite. You might say the hdplex 100 sounds abit busy in comparison.

So my solution is to order the Farad Super3 fully specced out with silver dc2 cable. Hopefully this will be the holy grail, SNR of the elite plus a richer tone of the hdplex. 😊

Specifications for DC-cover plate for use with Meridian 218/210:

Dc cover plate 1:
40mm x 20mm
10mm hole in center (for 2,1/5,5mm dc-jack ofcourse depending on the width of the DC-jack you have on hand) and cc 30mm for the chassiscrews(3mm holes).
20cm wire for connection to the 210/218 motherboard.

Dc cover plate 2: (For custom GX16-4 connector if ordering directly from Farad Powersupplies for the ultimate electrical connection)
40mm x 20mm
GX16-4 in center and cc 30mm for the chassiscrews(3mm holes).
20cm wire for connection to the 210/218 motherboard.

I would certainly be interested in something similar for an MS600, has anyone attempted it?

There was a modified MS600 for sale in the classifieds a while back but no details of the PSU were to be had.

Very nice Crion. Curious in your results with the Farad PSU. Your post made me want a GX16-4 on my 218. It is tearing me apart.

Ok, Farad3 with DC2 silver and GX16-4 modded Meridian 210 with 4 conductors. Will try upload pic to gallery.

Just been playing a couple of hours but already awesome results.

Hello Mimesis and thank you for explaining your experience with the upgraded PSU.

I am wondering if the upgrade would be worthwhile in the following two setups in my home.

1. DSP7200SE and 218 in the lounge
2. M6 and 210 in the kitchen diner

Both are fed via a CAT6 network, using Roon Core on my iMac, and sources an external HDD and Tidal.

Thank you for any opinions from your good self and other HH.

With best wishes,
Matthew

Hi Matthew,

I would highly recommend upgrading your 218 feeding the DSP7200SE. The cost is relatively low and the gain is significant. I have a very similar system and the gain of upgrading the PSU to a farad super3 for the 218 was one of the best upgrades I have ever done. Every time I listen now I am impressed of the sound quality. In your system 1 it is maybe to only place where you can upgrade effectively. So I would start with your system 1 and leave system 2 as is.

Regards

Thank you for the advice and I have contacted Farada who propose the following to complete this work for me:I wonder if you have any comments on this proposal as I honestly have no idea what they are talking about (I'm a biochemist!). I have seen a Silver DC2 cable mentioned elsewhere but don't understand how this fits into the modification?

Best wishes,
Mat

I have good experience with them, they did the mod for me too. You guys make me feel bad I don't have the GX16 connection! I have the barrel connection at the 218 side. There is different levels of cables from Farad. I did hear a very small difference between their DC cables. But these differences are small relative to the gain of the PSU itself. If you want to get the last drop of performance than go for the fully specced, but the standard option is already a great improvement over the SMPS inside the 218.

Thanks and I'll report back once completed.