Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Trinnov Altitude CI

Trinnov Altitude CI official press release.

Altitude CI Specification Sheet

It features up to 32-channel digital AES/EBU inputs via 2 x DB25 and 2 x DB25 digital outputs.

It includes a redesigned calibration microphone with RJ-45 input that draws power directly from the processor. Plus, it no longer requires a separate USB stick that contained the requisite serial number.

I'm slightly out of touch with Trinnov's products; does this CI one offer anything over & above the regular consumer-focussed ones?

The Alt CI can do up to 32 discrete digital channels where the Alt32 can only do 16 and the Alt16 can do none. The base CI is 8 channels and additional channel licenses are available in 2 channel increments. The Alt CI also has a touch screen front panel. The 3d mic for the CI has a RJ45 connection and the mic is powered by the CI. The Mic firmware is also loaded over the mic connection no longer requiring a USB stick to load the mic firmware. The CI also has 8 analog outputs but with the total 32 channel limit.

Brilliant; thanks for the perfect reply Bruce.

My understanding...

Customers buy the base 8-channel Altitude CI from a Trinnov dealer, then purchase the required extra channels directly from Trinnov via the Altitude CI.

That is, $11,000 for the base unit, then $1,250 for each additional pair of extra channels. Overall, a 16-channel AES/EBU Altitude CI is $16,000 (I don't know what £ prices are).

I don't think all the details are available yet, but from reading some reports and checking the pictures of the back-panel, I assume that you could connect the CI to a Meridian 271 using the 2 'Dante' / StormAudio RJ45 jacks?
It looks like the DB25 outputs on the CI use 'AES67' - which is not compatible with the Meridian 271 input - or is that incorrect?

It's also not clear to me what Audio Resolutions are passed via the CI's Dante connections either - I've read about limitations to 48kHz or 96kHz?

My actual question is - is this the most cost-effective replacement to the 861v8 that we've been waiting for - and how easy is it to integrate into an all-digital Meridian Speaker system?

If so, it's time to start saving...

The AoIP/Dante/AES67 RJ45 outputs are not Meridian (AES/EBU) compatible. Their resolution is strictly limited to 48khz.

The DB25 AES/EBU digital outputs are Meridian compatible, with resolution up to 192khz.

Read the specifications.

I will definitely be buying an Altitude CI shortly after it’s released.

Speaking with Morris Kessler of ATI yesterday, the ATI AVP is getting close to reality. Looking at the expansion port slot on the back, I asked about the possibility of a digital output board. He replied that was a possibility with a gleam in his eye. That said a base price $9000.00 ish AVP with a digital output compatible with a 271 is a possibility. Mechanically it's ready, they have a team working on the software now.

Thanks - I think the specs were only uploaded yesterday.

And yes, it seems that the CI is 'capable' of processing 192kHz audio and passing that on through the AES/EBU output (AES3 standard - which mentions 192kHz under 'extended sample rate') - which I assume can actually be passed to a Meridian 271 via the DB25 connectors after all.

AES67 is just a standard - or 'container' and can pass almost anything, but I've read that the Dante protocol is often limited to 48kHz - as you mention - which means that the 'ethernet' / RJ45 connection route would not be the best one to choose.

My 'concern' was for Stereo & other Audio listening formats, that the CI might be limited to 48kHz, but that seems not to be the case.
This is good news & puts my mind at rest that my purely Audio listening won't be compromised if I swap out my 861v8 & keep my Meridian DSP set-up, although of course Trifield will no longer be available.

Time to start saving!

Rolski; you cannot utilise Meridian SpeakerLink (AES/EBU) directly via the Altitude CI's AES67 RJ45 ports.

On chatting directly with Trinnov today, the new Optimizer software is still in final development. Even though the Altitude CI is in production, delays in finalising the new Optimizer software mean that the Altitude CI is unlikely to be available to purchase until the end of this year, as multiple certifications by third parties are involved


UK pricing will likely be revealed at the Essential Install Show later this month.

On purchasing an Altitude CI, a customer will choose the number of required channels when dealing with an authorised Trinnov dealership.

Spinal, have you ordered one of these?