Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Auralic Aries G2, 818v3, DSP7200 worth it?

Hi,

I’m kind of new in the world of streaming but own a Pioneer n70a which I never use because it’s not really user friendly and perhaps a little of a lightweight soundwise (it’s comparable with a Cambridge CXN).

I’ve been reading up on music streamers and came across a second hand Auralic G2 transport.

Has anyone got of experience with this streamer combined with Meridian? Will it make a real difference compared with cheaper streamers as Meridian reconstructs the digital signal in the 818 and DSP's?

I know I can do Roon with the 818v3 but I don’t like the idea of having a server, paying 180 euro a year for the software running on it + the cost of a subscription for a streaming service.

If you have an 818v3 it really is at its best in combination with Roon I am afraid. An 218 will also only stream using Roon. You can use the USB input of a 818v3 but others have reported here its superior using it ID41 card.

You could buy a 210 and use it as an UPnP streamer, and upgrade the PSU? If you are going to use the digital output of another streamer to the 818v3 and then to DSP speakers I doubt the 818v3 can add its value.

Sorry, but I have to reiterate what Mimesis says: 818v3/ID41 + Roon IS the best streaming solution for the 818. If you own the v3, it is almost criminal not to use this, it’s sublime.

The price of the new Roon Nucleus One (€599) plus a lifetime Roon subscription ($830) is likely still half the price of a used G2.

You would need to pay for a streaming service subscription either way, unless you are only streaming files on your local network (at which Roon excels).

Roon also has a multitude of other benefits, it really is very, very good indeed.

Why not just install Roon trial on a PC connected to your network and get a Tidal trial and try it out?

Usually the Dutch are more direct than the English..
But I agree with 3dit0r completely.

Haha, I lived abroad for many years - perhaps that accounts for some un-English directness?

Also, I missed your comment on USB vs ID41 earlier. I directly tried this comparison when I had a v3. ID41/Roon, to my ears, walked all over the USB input, it wasn't even close. This was into 7200.2.

I stopped crying after one hour... but I think you are missing part of the question.

I’m trying to find out if a SPDIF output on a cheap or expensive streamer makes a difference in combination with the 818.

If I’m not mistaking Meridian uses FIFO memory buffer, re-clocks and uses appodising filters so how much will the distortion on the SPDIF signal matter?

Haha, oh I see.

Well I’ve tried the SPDIF inputs with various transports and they all sound subtly, or not so subtly, different, so the answer is, as good as Meridian’s FIFO and other tech is on inputs, it does not, in my experience, make them transport agnostic sound quality wise.

I am testing a wiim pro in combination with my Meridian system. It is fantastic piece of kit, does everything, sounds good and is dirt cheap. Comparing it as a roon endpoint to my 218+LPS reveals that the 218+LPS has a deeper soundstage and more detail. A 818v3 is potentially even better. I am using the wiim digital coax out into the 218+LPS and still I can hear the difference. For the price the wiim is great though.

Having demoed 818v3 vs 218 side by side into 5200SE and 8000XE, the 818v3 is a considerable step-up from the 218, to my ears. So much so that I’m thinking of getting back into a 2-channel setup with 5200SE, but need to budget for an 818v3 also, since I know what the difference is…

A LPS is an effective upgrade to a 218. No doubt a 818v3 is still even better.

An LPSU conversion of a 218 with something like a Farad LPSU can equal the sound quality of an 818v3...

I've converted several units and modifying the 218 to use an external LPSU takes the SQ to another level.
I have compared them with my 818v3 and there is practically no difference (when using it as a Roon endpoint)

Wow, that’s quite a step-up, then. When you say practically no difference, is there still a difference?

How about the other inputs? Digital coaxial, etc.?