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?

Not currently available to order. Maybe by start of New Year.

Bravo!

The saved pennies are mounting up.

I had been saving for an Altitude32, but the Altitude CI is Altitude16 money.

The Altitude CI will undercut the price for a Storm|Audio ISP EVO - and Lyngdorf MP-60 with AES/EBU output module.

I was only buying the Altitude32 for that single digital DB25 AES/EBU output module - and unnecessarily paying for multiple analogue outputs that I’m unlikely to use in my circumstances.

The Altitude CI’s 2u compact form-factor is the same as the Meridian 271, and is ideal for a modest shared living space - and more practical than the 3.5u proportions of the Altitude32.

A few months ago, I was poised to buy a Lyngdorf MP-60 with AES/EBU output module, and had secured a very good deal, but when I pressed the Lyngdorf/Meridian dealer, they admitted that they were not convinced by RoomPerfect compared to Optimizer. If the authorised Lyngdorf dealer didn't have confidence in the product, then I wasn’t prepared to take such an expensive risk.

Don't I have a memory of you telling us that your dealer (presumably a different one) suggested that they would be hard pressed to tell a Trinnov & a Lyngdorf apart, in SQ terms? Or perhaps my memory fails me...

Close, but not close enough…

A Meridian/Trinnov/Storm|Audio dealer claimed that they could not discern any difference in performance between their Altitude32 and Elite32.

Another Meridian/Lyngdorf/Trinnov dealer I approached also indicated that they were unconvinced by RoomPerfect compared to Optimizer.

Here is the experience of a fellow Hitchhiker…

David Meryerowitz from Trinnov provides an overview of the Altitude CI and, separately, the redesigned Optimizer.

Note, Meryerowitz admission that Dante does not deliver quality audio. If you want quality audio performance, use the analogue or digital outputs.

Additionally, Trinnov has revealed their first video on the Altitude CI.

Courtesy of Trinnov; the Altitude CI HDMI board can be upgraded as future specifications change.

The DAC's cannot be upgraded.

We need to keep in mind that we have accepted 44k CDs as quality Audio for over 30 years. There is very little movie content over 48k.

Dante is really meant for large installations where components may be some distance apart. In a Meridian DSP installation, or hybrid there of, Dante isn't even a consideration.

The biggest reason, besides price, to use the CI with its intention to be used in a DSP installation is the higher digital channel availability.

Plus, confirmed with Trinnov, if so desired, you could utilise 2 x Meridian 271's for two separate 16-channel home-cinema systems.

Alternatively, run a 16-channel Meridian system in one room via DB25, and a second system via Dante RJ45 cabling to a Dante equipped Amplitude16 in another room.

The caveat is that you cannot operate 2 separate systems at the same time on the Altitude CI (unlike Storm|Audio).

It's not a race of course, but I wonder who will get one first...

I suspect there will quickly be a waiting list given its comparatively modest price.

I haven't decided to get a new Altitude 32 or the CI in my current current system.

You wouldn't gain much by replacing an Altitude32 with an Altitude CI (except for gaining 32 digital audio outputs).

If it's to gain Dante functionality that will soon be added to the Altitude32 (and Altitude16).

I was in Stratford on Avon, yesterday. The Trinnov dealer there assured me they would have an Altitude CI on demonstration as soon as it comes to market.

I already have two customer orders for them.

Regardless of where you choose to buy an Altitude CI, here is a helpful price matrix (UK) for selecting alternative channel output configurations.

We operate both www.Touchstoneav.co.uk and www.HaloAudiovisual.co.uk. Let me know if you have any questions regarding the new Trinnov CI, or any other hardware.

We are fully authorised Trinnov and Meridian dealers, and we will be able to offer auditions of the product at Meridian's facility and also at other facilities in Bracknell and Stanstead as soon as it is released.

A dedicated Altitude CI owners’ forum has appeared on AVS.

The Altitude CI will become available to purchase 'late November'.

Here in the UK, 25th November is 'Budget Day'. In advance of this date, the Chancellor's reported 'kite flying' measures include a possible VAT increase.

If we assume a modest 5% VAT increase...

Fully populating 1 x AES/EBU output will cost an additional £632.70, and,
Fully populating 2 x AES/EBU outputs will cost an additional £1,016.20.

As with all such Press speculation, there might or might not be a VAT increase.

While some dealers are taking deposits for Altitude CI's, I've had it confirmed that the distributor will accept payment in full at the current price via your preferred dealership before 25th November.

You might decide to risk waiting.
You might not have the funds.
You might take such an increase on the chin.
You might say that it's an irrelevance, as you can buy additional channels later, but it might not be at the current price.

Whatever you decide, you have the option to avoid a potential price increase before the Altitude CI even officially sees the light of day.

On asking Trinnov if the Altitude CI will be released by 25th November...

Spinal, are you ordering yours before the 25th, on the 25th or after the 25th?

Cheers
Tom

Correction: Budget Day is on the 26th November, immediately following PMQs.

When directly challenged during yesterday's PMQs, the PM wouldn't deny any planned increase in VAT.

This contrasts with the same question asked in July, when the PM instantly denied any plans to increase VAT.

I will place my order the day before.

IF there is a price increase, and IF it’s a 5% increase, buying before Budget Day will cover most of the cost of buying the additional calibration microphone (depending on your channel count).

Regardless of any VAT increase, i had already planned to buy an Altitude CI at launch, so i will not lose out if there is no price increase

I'm sure you'll be thrilled with it.

I’m sure I will, eventually.

The Altitude16 can be expanded with 4 additional channels.

Likewise, in due course, Trinnov concedes the possibility that their Altitude CI can be expanded from 32 to 40 channels by fully utilising its 2 x digital plus 1 x analogue AES/EBU outputs.

Similarly, the forthcoming Altitude CI 64 channel variant could be expanded to 72 channels.

My Wallet just skipped a beat.

How long for delivery?

I'm not holding my breath.

I assume you bought the microphone too? I think it is not included is that correct?

Yes. No, it isn’t, and yes.

Good news! Despite pre-budget speculation, the Chancellor formally announced there will not be any increase in VAT rates.

Everyone can be confident in simply paying a deposit in the UK on an Altitude CI.

Beta testers.

New Teaser :-
Trinnov Altitude CI unboxing (Grobi TV Germany)
(posted without permission)

The useful nugget of information is that the Altitude CI launch date has shifted to Q1 2026 (anytime between January to March) due to the software not being finalised.

Another Altitude CI unboxing.

And here's IMHO the most informative & useful video posted so far (also from Grobi TV).

Trinnov’s Arnaud Destinay discusses the Altitude CI in Indonesia .

Shortly after initial playback, the video is in English, but auto-translate captions are recommended.

Initial run of Altitude CI's are now shipping. Delivery is based on when the order was placed.

My dealer informs me that my order should arrive in January.

Me. ….

My dealership informs me that my Altitude CI is in their possession.

I will collect it from them after the New Year.

How very exciting.

Shakespeare: 'All that Glisters is not Gold'...
It's just as well that I'm not ready to set it up.

I've asked this before, but I don't think I received an answer...

With a Trinnov Altitude 32 or CI, what are the recommended settings for the Meridian 271 & DSPs?

If I connect the Trinnov & Meridian with a DB25 digital cable, and the Trinnov is set to output 'AES' to all of my 7.0.4 channels (I have no sub yet, the DSP8000SE-Upgrades will have to do... ) is there anything else that needs to be configured?

Master Front (L or R or L + R) RJ45 connected to the 'Master' row as on an 861, and all the other channels (3 = Centre, 5&6 = Surround L&R, 7&8 = Surround Rear L&R, 9&10 = Front Ceiling L&R, 11&12 = Rear Ceiling L&R) all connected to the Slave row?

Which input should be set as default?
Which volume is recommended at start-up?

And is it possible to control the volume through the 271 / DSPs with the Meridian Remote or App, and not through the Trinnov?

Any experiences or lessons-learned would be gratefully received - thanks !

This has been covered many times, just not in this particular thread.

There is no special setup required for the speakers beyond what you would use with a Meridian processor. The speaker designated as master must be connected to a master port. All others don't really matter as the 271 accommodates home run cabling.

Any source, pick one, can be configured on the 271 to.use the AES16 input. (I use DVD) 65 is a good starting point for turn on volume.

When controlling the volume with the Meridian speakers, the Trinnov will need to be set to a predetermined volume level each time you turn it on for consistent performance. Trinnov and Meridian IR commands for volume are the same so if your plans are to use the MSR remote, welcome to chaos.

The Trinnov optimizer takes care of the time delays and time alignment is not an issue.

Thanks Bruce.

Trivial question regarding the Front Power Button on the Meridian 271 :-

White = powered on & active
Blue = standby
Red = ?

Do people generally connect the 12V trigger to a Trinnov (for standby on / off) and does it work well ?

I power my 271 on with IP commands and then use the trigger out of the 271 to power on the Trinnov. This has worked much more reliably in my system as at the time the wake on lan commands for the Trinnov didn't seem to be as reliable if the Trinnov had not been powered on for some time.

A red led on the power button for a digital input setup means the 271 is not receiving a valid signal.

An interesting quirk that I've noticed - and that I think I've seen written elsewhere - is that even after pressing 'store settings' and power-cycling the 271 with the front button, the settings don't seem to be communicated onwards to SpeakerLink attached devices (i.e. DSP speakers).
The 271 seems to need a complete power-off cycle (rear power button or disconnect power plug) for any changes to have an actual effect.

The other thing I noticed / learned is not to forget the channel numbering - I don't have a sub (currently) as I've always let my front 3 speakers take care of Bass duties - so channel 4 is 'missing' in any config (the Centre is #3) and the SL / SR are #5/6...

@spinaltap. Have collected your Trinnov yet?

Yes, but it remains stored in its box until Trinnov releases finalised post-beta software.

Van Damme produces Black, Blue, and Green DB25 to DB25 Cables.

I'm aware that Blue is analogue, and Green is digital, but I'm uncertain on if the complimentary Black variant that I've been given is analogue or digital (?).

The Van Damme Digi-Tour multicore digital 110 Ohm cable has the same electrical characteristics as their green AES cable.

For use between a Trinnov Altitude CI and a Meridian 271, you want the the digital cable wired to the Tascam Analogue straight through standard. Most off-the-shelf DB25 to DB25 digital cables will be wired to the Tascam digital standard where the pairs are wired in a corssover to allow for 8 channels in and 8 channels out as opposed to 16 channels out which is what is wanted for Altitude CI -> 271.
I had a black Digi-Tour cable made up as above and it works as it should, cable is marked 'Vandamme 268-418-000 DIGI GRADE AES EBU 110 OHM PRE-JACKETED 8 PAIR MULTICORE ANTI-KINK CORETECH'

So if your Van Damme cable is as above, it will be a digital cable and you just need to confirm to which standard it has been wired.

John

Mine is labelled the same as yours.

My remaining question is what is the technical difference, if any, between the Black and Green ‘digital’ cables?

Just the outer casing material / colour - if you look at the Van Damme website they explain why they added the black colour cable as it is more suited to certain markets than the green colour.

That is rather frustrating I am sure.

This is even more frustrating!...

When saving the pennies for my AltitudeCI I also made provision for buying KEF Ci200RR-THX in-ceiling loudspeakers.

My detached home is brick n' block constructed with a 7cm wide beamed ceiling in my lounge. It was completely redecorated two years ago. On watching this installation video for in-ceiling speakers without having to lift the upstairs floor panels, I felt assured by my dealer's advice that they would drill/run the cables through the outer brick wall, run the cables via external conduit to ground floor level, and in through the wall to where my Meridian 258 would reside.

I bought a Bosch Inspection Camera to determine which way the ceiling joists ran, and a separate Bosch Stud Detector to determine the space between joists. My beamed ceiling runs across the width of my lounge, and, as the Stud Detector revealed, the joists run the length of my lounge.

Post purchase of the AltitudeCI, and once they had learned about the direction of the ceiling joists, my dealer bailed on installing in-ceiling speakers, as they would be unable to drill through the final ceiling joist/outer brick wall.

Before you suggest it, I don't want to run unsightly trunking down the internal wall.

The dealer's current suggestion is to mount satellite speakers under the ceiling beams, run the necessary cables hidden behind the beam/s, and then drill through the brick wall. Their other solution was to just use it as a 5.1 system (!).

I subsequently investigated possible options by Focal, B&W, Epsilon, and Cabasse. The least worst option is to install Gallo A’Diva SE speakers aimed at the MLP via Gallo's 4cm wide pivotal wall mount. I used ChatGPT to illustrate the reality on how they would look in situ, and, while they look acceptable, it's at best a sub-optimal alternative to discretely installed in-ceiling speakers.

I've spoken to Gallo for their advice: while the A'Diva SE is not a suitable full-range speaker for the Meridian 258 in 'stereo configuration' A'Diva SE is more than suitable as an Atmos speaker.

I am a tad irritated at having purchased arguably the best AVP on the planet that I'm not able to find someone with the skills/abilities/tools to install in-ceiling speakers in my particular home. If found, that dealer will get my business for 4 x Atmos speakers, even if they aren't by KEF.

Feel for you Spinal.
I know you are on AVForums, have you contacted any of the chaps there like cinemahome or seriouslycinema to help with any possible solutions.?

Both would be too far from me to warrant their assessment visit, which, for them, would be a very modest purchase.

My dealer's latest unhelpful suggestion for Atmos speakers is to horizontally mount these Monitor Audio CL2 M ‘Architectural’ speakers on my ceiling beams. No thanks.

Even so, a separate Trinnov installer - who is currently attending ISE - has learned about my predicament and offered to visit my home to assess the situation and provide a solution, as “there’s always a way”.

A tidbit from one installer attending ISE is that the Altitude CI user interface will not similarly appear on the Altitude16 and Altitude32 until Q4 2026.

Well, that turned out to be a very damp squib - with nothing more than him reviewing my existing kit via PM, suggesting that Perlisten in-ceiling speakers (too wide to sit between my ceiling beams) were better matched to the timbre of Meridian.

His parting advice was that I should contact Meridian to manufacture a bespoke solution for me!

At the very least, the Altitude CI will become a handy doorstop.

I am assuming it was chappie from AVForums you were conversing with? That is a rather poor response. What is your plan going forward?

Have you considered any of the Meridian P-Series on walls? Something like these ?

In an ideal world (and budget), 4 x DSP320.2s would be ideal: that is, if they would fit between my exposed beams, and that I didn't face exactly the same problem on routing their associated cabling back to my Meridian 258.

I've seen the picture of your ceiling on AVF, which is why I specifically suggested Meridian on wall/ceiling speakers and not in wall/ceiling speakers...

Without knowing the dimensions, it looked to me there is more than adequate room to mount/nail a speaker like those Meridian P320W to the ceiling.

Is it not impossible to cut channels in the plaster in the ceiling to hide the speaker cables? drill holes thru the beams?

Surely with a bit of filler and wood putty and paint it can all be made completely invisible?

Forgive me if I don’t share your enthusiasm.

In the recent past, I've spent >£2,500 on having Dulux Select Decorators completely redecorate that particular room - plus a similar amount on every other room in the house.

Pre-purchase of my Altitude CI, my dealership (a custom installer) on visiting my house, confidently assured me it would a simple matter drilling out the ceiling plaster for the speakers, then passing their cabling through the ceiling void and then through to the outer brick wall.

Had I known the true facts then I wouldn’t have subsequently purchased any AVP.

Can you return the product for a full refund?

My thought as well. That’s a lot to spend to end up disappointed.

I've already opened the box to check if everything is as it should be.

As long as the box and contents are undamaged. You were sold this product on a false promise. I would certainly be looking at reboxing and pushing for a refund. I am sure the dealer could sell it quite easily.

Before giving up, well worth talking to a local electrician. You appear to know where you want the cables, just get them to sort the cabling and, potentially, the speaker cut-outs as well. A lot of electricians are very inventive in getting cabling in place and are experienced in cutting holes for downlights.

@Stebbo: why do you think open box products are significantly cheaper to buy from retail outlets compared to factory sealed boxes? On that basis, I would take a huge hit on attempting to return such an open box Trinnov to my dealer.

You were sold it under a false promise. I would be taking some legal advice. It’s up to you. Many audio dealers have some sort of returns policy. The company I bought my Lyngdorf from had a 30 returns with full refund.

The dealer is very likely to adopt reasoning that they have provided an Atmos solution by installing Monitor Audio CL2 M surface mounted speakers.

Well I work in construction and wouldn’t hesitate in removing the ceiling doing all the cabling, mains and comms and replace and decorate.i certainly wouldn’t have trunking on the outside of the building when three days of grief would get it perfect. Not being rude but 6 p’s applies here.

Jonathan

PS typically two hours to remove existing ceiling, four to replace, three hours to skim, three hours to paint.

I thought that install in Australia with the ceiling mounted DSP3200s as Atmos speakers was pretty neat. Granted it was a darkened dedicated cinema room. What about something like that, DSP3200s painted to match your ceiling?

Being sold a false promise by a dealer really sucks though so I empathize with your frustration. I'd be looking for a Meridian solution to ideally pair nicely with your existing speakers. The new CI looks really nice. The first Trinnov pre-pro that actually has me intrigued.