Bruce posted the following comment querying why Colin would want to use the 210 Streamer when he had the capability to stream into the ID41 Network card in the Ultra Mac.
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I have to ask why you would use a 210 with an Ultra Dac when it already has a streamer in the ID41? If for the Bluetooth connection, that will not support MQA. Is it for Spotify or Qobuz?
Bruce answered Colin's main question, which was NO if you are making a streaming connection via Bluetooth. It will not preserve a MQA file stream if connected to the Ultra DAC either by the coax output or the MHR SpeakerLink Output, IF the source connection is via Bluetooth. It will preserve the MQA file via the Coaxial output on the 210 if it originates via the 210 Network input.

The reason the 210 does not preserve the MQA stream over a Bluetooth connection is explained it these two weblinks;

No, Bluetooth Cannot Deliver Hi-Res Audio

What You Really Need To Know About Bluetooth Audio

What is very disappointing the fact that there is no mention of this anywhere by Meridian in the 210 Datasheets nor the 210 User Guide. This is a "Can't know whatcha don't know" situation, which Meridian isn't publicising !

As is mentioned in one of the articles above, the streaming via Bluetooth is just a service you are providing to your visiting family & friends to take over your music system so they can play their own music conveniently from their phones. Personally, I just give them my iPad to do that via the ROON App.

When I originally read Colin's original post which at the time had no replies, I also wondered why Colin would not just use Roon as the core and use the ID41 Network input to either stream MQA/Hi-Res Audio files. That way he keeps his front speakers connected to his 861v8 via the solo MHR SpeakerLink input on his Ultra DAC.

Given Colin is focusing on MQA files, he really only has two streaming sources available, which are Tidal and Nugs.net, excluding the Japanese service e-onkyo. It is highly likely he is already subscribed to Tidal or considering it. Both Tidal and Qobuz are supported by Roon but only Tidal has MQA music. Tidal also has Hi-Res Multi-Channel files and Colin infers he has a multi-speaker set-up with the use of his 861v8 and his speaker listing.

Hopefully Colin is aware that a MQA file cannot be passed preserved through any version of the 861. However, he can still connect to the network via the ID41 card in his 861v8 and play multi-channel Hi-Res files using Roon from Tidal and then play two channel MQA files again using Roon directly into ID41 card of the Ultra DAC, which has the full capability of decoding and rendering the MQA file before converting it to an analogue signal. The option of subscribing to both Roon and Tidal is his quickest and lowest cost solution to his inquiry.

MarkR has stated that a coax connection from his Antipodes K50 Server connected to the Ultra DAC gives a better music quality than using the Network connection of his Ultra DAC. Acquiring a Antipodes K50 Server requires a lot of coin so Colin can immediately start with Roon and Tidal via the Ultra DAC network connection, which is the minimum spend. Given that Colin lives in London, maybe Rick or one of the other Meridian Dealers in the UK can offer him a trial of the 218 to see if he prefers music quality better via the 218 coaxial connection than the Ultra DAC ID41 Network connection.

Finally, I recommend to anyone subscribing to Roon, that they take up their lifetime membership while it is still available. Do the Math for the payback period.

Cheers,
Steve M

#1: 8000s, 5500HC, 8000s, 861v8, 800Dv4, HD621
#2: 6000s, 6000C, 5000s, 6000s, 568.2mm, 598DP, 511
#3: 5500s, 5000C, 5000s, 561, 800v3, 518