Here is some information I got my hands on the other day that confirms and possibly expands on information already provided in this thread..... thought the group may find this useful/interesting.

Regards
Richard

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Meridian Audio Limited
Stonehill, Stukeley Meadows, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE18 6ED, England
To: All Meridian Distributors
Pages: 3
Date: 31 August, 2001
From: Andrew Samalionis Ref. BFN0355
Re: DISTRIBUTOR UPDATE

Introduction
From time to time, usually in connection with major shows, we issue information for distributors as not all of you will attend. On 7 th September 2001 the CEDIA show will begin and a great many things will be talked about and launched.
If you are not attending the CEDIA show in Indianapolis then I would recommend that you spend some time reading this note.
The following subjects will be covered:
� DVD Audio
� 800 Series DVD-A
� 500 Series DVD-A
� A new CD player, the 507
� A new Amplifier, the 559
� Telephone number changes

DVD Audio
This new format has made great advances in the last few months. Warner music have launched a number of titles, as have many record companies around the world. The other major record companies are close to launching titles. Meridian has been active in the promotion of DVD-A, taking part in Warner press launches and demonstrating whenever the opportunity arises.
We believe that DVD-A will become the high resolution format of the future.
In the meantime, SACD also makes some progress. Initially discs have only come from Sony or Philips` based record companies but recently Universal announced that they will be providing some titles in the SACD format. We understand that this is being supported by Sony and also that Universal will back both formats.
It is a very interesting time for high resolution audio and many customers are in a “wait and see” mood right now. You can be assured that Meridian will provide one of the best solutions, both now and in the future.

800 Series DVD Audio - Version 3
Progress on the DVD-A versions of the 800 Series has gone very well in the last few months and products for sale are expected to be available in October. Although the inclusion of DVD Audio capability is the most important advance in the 800 Series, it is by no means the only one.
The following list covers just a few of the additions:

800 CD / DVD-V / DVD-A Machine
� Even higher resolution CD replay
� New improved user interface
� PC and OSD setup
� Upsampling of Dolby Digital and DTS material to 96kHz 24bit
� 192kHz DACs used on analogue output cards
� Digital output also available

861 Reference Processor
� 96kHz 24bit processing on all 8 channels with higher internal precision
� New input/output options:
� Multi-channel digital input to match with 800 DVD
� 96kHz 24 bit analogue input utilising professional ADC and a straight line input design
� 192kHz analogue output cards in both balanced and unbalanced configurations
� New DSP engine with dramatically increased power able to provide a long future for 861
software development (Including more channels in the future)
� DVD-A bass and speaker management including dynamic bass protection and speaker
delays
� Discrete mode for direct multi-channel sources provides many useful controls including:
Bass and Treble tilts, Centre delay and level, rear delay and level, Lipsync, 2+2+2 control depending on speaker configuration
� ProLogic II now available in conjunction with Dolby Digital decompression

500 Series
DVD-A Developments in the 800 will filter into the 500 Series over a period of about three months. It is intended to fit the same DSP engine from the 861 to the 568 and to have a DVD-A player in the 500 Series, the 598. We can also confirm that existing 568s will be upgradable to this new standard and 596 will be upgradable to DVD-A.
Another exciting development is our intention to provide an upgrade for the 561 to support multi-channel analogue input. This will provide a formidable combination with which to drive either a Meridian digital theatre or passive system based on our multichannel amplifier the 558.

507 CD Player
A new lower price CD player is currently in design for release in November. The 507 is a
replacement for the 506 CD Player. Details will be available in a provisional data sheet soon.
Target price is around �1,000 UK retail. Complete details will be issued upon release of the final
product.

559 Two channel Amplifier
Information will also be available soon on a new two channel amplifier, the 559. This will be in production in November and is based on radical new design work that was originally focused on the DSP8000 amplification. Full provisional details are available but here are a few points of
interest.
� 558 chassis style
� Combines with 558 for seven channel theatres
� 300 Watts per channel into 8 ohms
� Over 500 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
� Fully bridgeable
� Over 1500 Watts of available power in bridge mode
� 1 Ohm drive capability
� Capable of 150 Amps continuous current delivery
� Twin high mass low noise 1.2KVA torroidal transformers
� Twenty 16 Amp output devices per channel
� Single ended and balance inputs
� Trigger input
� Electronic two stage thermal protection
� Rack mountable


[This message has been edited by richardp (edited 09-23-2001).]