Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems New Product - Meridian Audio Ellipse

I’ve owned a 218 since it was first introduced and I’ve never experienced any problems/issues with it alongside Roon.

Ex-demonstration, I know a Meridian dealer that I’ve previously bought kit from with a 218 for £798 with full warranty. That’s a great saving on £1,400 retail.

The 218 would be ideal, I guess, what is it about them you’ve been hearing that’s putting you off?

One alternative you might be able to source used would be an MS200 and AC200.

Thanks both for your replies.
In the bathroom and kitchen I use Sonos devices and have been told, and also read on here, that a 218 and Sonos don’t mix together with Roon.
I’ve considered an MS200 and AC200. The MS200 doesn’t do MQA as I understand it and of course the AC200 doesn’t act as a Roon end point. It’s a shame because it looks like a great pre-amp. Why did they stop making it?

Seems to have gone a bit off topic!

Just a pity that the Ellipse didn't have a Speakerlink input, so you could buy a pair.

Brian

Is the issue with the Sonos endpoints just if you want to synchronise zones for some reason (is the 218 not RAAT?). If you don’t need this, it should be good?

I’ve been saying for years now that Meridian are crying out for a good-looking, great sounding, functional little preamp. In my opinion, an updated AC200 would be fantastic, just needs updated cards and a Roon endpoint, really. Clearly, Meridian already own the case design and tooling, etc., and the requisite cards, etc. so should be very minimal investment. You can, of course, get the same sort of functionality with an AC200 + 210…

Didn’t realise the AC200 was discontinued. That’s a real shame.

Well as I understand it the 218 is not equipped with RAAT. So that also puts me off a bit. And I have been told, and read threads here saying the same thing, that if Sonos and a 218 are both served by Roon on the same system that the 218 is inclined to drop. Which would be extremely annoying

Sounds like the best bet would be to go with a 210 and find a second-hand AC200.

Well that puts two units in the chain which adds a complications and is a nuisance. And the 210 won’t do Tidal Connect if anything happens to Roon.

There are lots of streamers from a WiiM Ultra, which is very well reviewed, all the way up to a Grimm Audio MU1 which of course also runs Roon and is a wonderful unit. But the Ultra is £349 and the Grimm Audio £10,000. Both are Roon end points and both Roon ready. I can’t afford £10,000, sadly.

If I was convinced by the 218 and it was equipped with RAAT I would feel happier. And if the 210 did Tidal Connect I would feel happier.

My sense is that Meridian hasn’t really got a streamer that will do what is needed. The 818 at £10,000 is very expensive and if I did have that sort of money I’d go for the Grimm as it would run Roon as a server also.

Good deal on the Ellipse from Russ Andrew’s.
£100 off with code ELLIPSE100, plus power cord upgrade and free remote control.