Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Info: New Meridian product

And what might one expect to pay for something that does what the UHD121 does?

Hi Bruce,

That's a reasonable question, that has me realising how long ago I bought any new bits of kit!

There is no mention in the info so far about any level of upsampling/apodising, though I suspect that is in there. So maybe it's not just an HDMI endpoint/throughpoint and a HDMI-CEC to SpeakerLink convertor. It looks to use a generic power block and the aesthetics are entirely Installer-orientated. Though it is, I assume, Built In Britain.

Given that the 218 (ADC+DAC+Roon endpoint+SPDIFx2) and 210 are in the region of £1500, at £750 I would be waiting for some 'B' Stock to come out, probably giving in and buying it anyway eventually, when I next upgrade the TV.

It just reminds me that M and I are really living in different worlds now and there is a cost to convenience in locked-in systems.

Sorry if my tone came across as snide, it was not meant to be.

Ian

Didn't take it that way at all, I was simply looking for feedback.

Being that it can be powered by SpeakerLink with the one exception being the M6, it may not ship with a power supply. Any 12v 5 amp power supply with a compatible connector can be used.

The 121 is built quite solid and was heavier than I expected for its size. It is said that the internal construction is very similar to a 218 so I can understand the pricing given what it does and how it can simplify the domestic component of having such a system that is easy to use and highly enjoyable.

I read on Meridian's website the the audio output has the following specs:

2-channel at up to 192kHz@24bit LPCM or Meridian True Link (MHR)

Could this mean we finally get more resolution into our 'older' DSP speakers such as .2 and SE speakers? Or would it only be for the new DSP9 and XE version of the 8000's?

Also on Meridian's website the SpeakerLink capabilities has the following specs:
Encoded Dolby Digital and DTS passthrough (no decoding).

Does that mean it can be connected directly to the 861 (SL input), so the 861 can decode it for multi channel audio?

Can the HD121 replace the optical connection from the TV to get multi channel audio?

Regards

It will remain to be seen. Presumably, the SL inputs on the 861 would be stereo.

We have never had a multichannel pass through SpeakerLink output to try, and there is no information stating that the IE44, ID29, or G65 SpeakerLink inputs are multichannel capable. The G65 user manual states that the SpeakerLink inputs are stereo.

Four weeks on, any further updates on this device?

The info I have from Meridian is that it will also be able to connect to the MMHR input and pass through multichannel audio. At least bitstream. Whether or not it will accept multichannel PCM from the HDMI input I do not know.

That seemed such an obvious use-case and application so that is useful to know.

Anything on price?

Hi Bruce,
First, I would need to know if/how it would work in my use case: switching between a TV connected to one HDMI input and my Singxer SU-6 DDC (AES, SPDIF and I2S) delivering stereo PCM to the other.

The photo doesn’t show the HDMI end, just a “status” label. Is there a switch for source? Or does that happen over SL from my Master DSP9 receiving signals from the excellent remote control you sent me?

The HDMI input port is pass through, you don't switch to it. It is there to provide a way to maintain an input to the ARC connection of the TV that the UHD121 needs for ARC output.

Greetings,

Other question: I use the AC12 to connect my "legacy" 500 equipment (562V and 500 Transport) to my DSP5200SE. That uses the comms port. I assume I can connect the SpeakerLink output of the UHD121 to a SpeakerLink input of the AC12?

How would the control work? It would bypass the 562V etc...

Thanks!!!

Christian