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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 838 Likes: 161
Paranoid android
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Paranoid android
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 838 Likes: 161 |
The difference (in my experience) is mainly because I use my 818v3's balanced XLR outputs, which the 218 doesn't have. If using the SpeakerLink outputs into DSP7200SEs, there was no audible difference.
I've not tried using the 218's inputs as 99% of my listening is through Roon (using Tidal). I suspect there won't be a difference when going to DSP speakers.
The only 'compromise' would be the 218's analogue output compared to the 818v3's analogue outputs.
After I had modified the first 218 I really thought I'd gotten some wires crossed but into DSPs the LPSU conversion could possibly exceed the 818v3 (with the right LPSU)!
You only have to take a look at the small matchbox 'brick' that is the internal PSU in the 218 to realise how much you can improve things.
Main: 861v6 (LPS), 808v6, UHD722, DSP8000SE Anniversaries, DSP5200.2HC, DSP7200.2, SW1600, Sky Q, Cambridge Audio BD, Roon, M80
Office: 861v4 (LPS), 818v3, 800v4, HD621, M&K S150P, DSP5500HC, M&K MPS2810 sub x2
Son's system: 861v4, HD621, DSP6000.2, DSP5200HC, DSP33
Spare: MCD, 100 Series, 200 Series, 500 Series, F80s, C15s.
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Mimesis |
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 144 Likes: 20
Hitchhiker
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Hitchhiker
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 144 Likes: 20 |
This is making me even happier with my 218+LPS. I have never compared them myself. I also like IP-control of the settings of a 218. The 818v3 still looks majestic.
Main: DSP8000SE< 218 < Farad Super3 TMCB < PS Audio P10. Room correction: Focus Fidelity.
Second: Fostex Fe206NV2 < Audio innovations 500 valve amp < Wiim Pro +
Study: DSP33 < Reviver < MS200
Server: ROCK + Tidal on NUC, fiber on 2x cisco 2960, HD-Plex LPS.
Gone: DSP7200SEu, DSW, DSP5500mkI & DSP5000mkI, 508.20, 210
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,984 Likes: 202
Vogon Civil Servant
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Vogon Civil Servant
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,984 Likes: 202 |
I appreciate this is going off-topic; but has anyone tried a Shunyata mains cable with a C5 adapter connected to their 218 (without an LPS upgrade) - and if so what difference did it make?
Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.
#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504
#2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
#3: Other stuff
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171
Hooloovoo
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Hooloovoo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171 |
Hi swpnt,
Which is the best LPSU, in your experience?
HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 838 Likes: 161
Paranoid android
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Paranoid android
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 838 Likes: 161 |
Most of the upgrades used the Farad Super 3 LPSUs, a couple used Chinese equivalents.
I think the Farad sounded slightly cleaner, although anything is better than the factory-fit PSU (even a cheap 12v wall wart power supply!)
Main: 861v6 (LPS), 808v6, UHD722, DSP8000SE Anniversaries, DSP5200.2HC, DSP7200.2, SW1600, Sky Q, Cambridge Audio BD, Roon, M80
Office: 861v4 (LPS), 818v3, 800v4, HD621, M&K S150P, DSP5500HC, M&K MPS2810 sub x2
Son's system: 861v4, HD621, DSP6000.2, DSP5200HC, DSP33
Spare: MCD, 100 Series, 200 Series, 500 Series, F80s, C15s.
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1 member likes this:
3dit0r |
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,984 Likes: 202
Vogon Civil Servant
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Vogon Civil Servant
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,984 Likes: 202 |
…although anything is better than the factory-fit PSU (even a cheap 12v wall wart power supply!) Would it really? I’m not sure I would want to try deploying my 12v output Meridian PrimePSU to power my 240v 218.
Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.
#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504
#2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
#3: Other stuff
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 838 Likes: 161
Paranoid android
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Paranoid android
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 838 Likes: 161 |
The Meridian Prime PSU would definitely be an improvement on what is fitted at the factory... Here is a link to a similar PSU module - https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2547883.pdfIt is really tiny...! Converting to an external PSU ensures that there is no mains voltages or interference inside the unit and is always reversible. The same modification can be carried out to the 210.
Main: 861v6 (LPS), 808v6, UHD722, DSP8000SE Anniversaries, DSP5200.2HC, DSP7200.2, SW1600, Sky Q, Cambridge Audio BD, Roon, M80
Office: 861v4 (LPS), 818v3, 800v4, HD621, M&K S150P, DSP5500HC, M&K MPS2810 sub x2
Son's system: 861v4, HD621, DSP6000.2, DSP5200HC, DSP33
Spare: MCD, 100 Series, 200 Series, 500 Series, F80s, C15s.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171
Hooloovoo
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Hooloovoo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171 |
This is a shame though in terms of Meridian’s quality in their own unit. Why not design 218/210 so that they have an external PSU, even so they could have used the Prime PSU as an upgrade that Meridian could then sell?
HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171
Hooloovoo
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Hooloovoo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,174 Likes: 171 |
Hi swpnt,
Which is the best LPSU, in your experience? What auto-something or other on the forum added “Hi swpnt”, I didn’t type that…
HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 144 Likes: 20
Hitchhiker
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Hitchhiker
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 144 Likes: 20 |
Never understood this either. They had the PSU already, but failed to connect the dots. Could have made the 210 and 218 also in the similar look of the prime. A lot has been written in the first thread on this topic. If you do a search on 218 PSU you will find it.
Main: DSP8000SE< 218 < Farad Super3 TMCB < PS Audio P10. Room correction: Focus Fidelity.
Second: Fostex Fe206NV2 < Audio innovations 500 valve amp < Wiim Pro +
Study: DSP33 < Reviver < MS200
Server: ROCK + Tidal on NUC, fiber on 2x cisco 2960, HD-Plex LPS.
Gone: DSP7200SEu, DSW, DSP5500mkI & DSP5000mkI, 508.20, 210
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Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 97 Likes: 26
Hitchhiker
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Hitchhiker
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 97 Likes: 26 |
The data sheet for the 218 here talks about an advanced linear power supply. Is this a newer model of the 218? I do recall the price going up considerably a little while back
ROON Rock on an NUC across the systems
Sitting room: 218, DSP7200SE
Study: 218, Quad 303, Spendor BC1
Bedroom: Musical Fidelity A3CR, Chartwell LS3/5a
Various Sonos boxes in bathroom and spare rooms
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 144 Likes: 20
Hitchhiker
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Hitchhiker
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 144 Likes: 20 |
That was an error. The 218 has a cosel SMPSU. Have a look here.
Main: DSP8000SE< 218 < Farad Super3 TMCB < PS Audio P10. Room correction: Focus Fidelity.
Second: Fostex Fe206NV2 < Audio innovations 500 valve amp < Wiim Pro +
Study: DSP33 < Reviver < MS200
Server: ROCK + Tidal on NUC, fiber on 2x cisco 2960, HD-Plex LPS.
Gone: DSP7200SEu, DSW, DSP5500mkI & DSP5000mkI, 508.20, 210
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