Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Sonos / Meridian Set-up -- Rubbish Sound, Please help

In my living room I've connected the Sonos ZP80 to the Meridian 861 processor connected to Meridian speakers. I'm using the digital connection from the ZP80 to the processor. I've got the ZP80 linked to a Linksys router. I've also got the Infrant ReadyNAS NV connected to the router which contains the music.

I've just ripped my first couple of CD's using Media Monkey into FLAC format. I've checked the files and their all around 30MB so I presume I've done this correctly.

The problem is that the sound is rubbish. The internet radio actually sounds better.

Please help!!!

Thanks IA.

Most likely it isn't a Meridian issue. Can you hook up the Sonos to another amp, to be sure?

Try the Sonos forum here .

Is there a wireless piece in the chain?

If you have a poor reception and are streaming large high quality files this could be an issue.

If you've ripped your CD's and the files are only 30MB (vs. a standard CD size of about 500-700 MB), you may have used a lossy format. Just a thought.

What bit rate and depth did you use for FLAC encoding? I use Apple Lossless at 16/44 (native CD format) and it works great. I have not tried FLAC, however. I choose to let the Meridian equipment do all upsampling.

Hang in there - you'll figure this out. I am using a ZP80 into my 568.2 and the sound is spectacular.

Oh - just thought of something else - be sure to set up the ZP80 as "fixed volume". If you've got it set to the default "variable output" it will digitally control the volume and, at lower volume settings, this could provide poor sound. You definately want the 861 to control the volume.

BTW - 30MB per song with lossless is probably about right (same as Apple lossless).

I seem to remember having the same problem when I used MediaMonkey to rip to FLAC, check out Mark's post on how to get the best from a Squeezebox it will give you some tips on ripping to FLAC using EAC.

www.meridianunplugged.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000588;p=3#000041

Regards
Gary

Trader 99

If you do follow 'the coaster factory' instructions to instal EAC you may have problems with the file path for FLAC. I followed the installation instructions as shown in the comprehensive documentation and couldn't get the FLAC compressor to automatically start. Whether his was because we are now on beta version 1.1.3 or not I dont know (and I'm not a PC expert) but I eventually worked out the file path to be:

C:\Program Files\Exact Audio Copy\bin\FLAC.exe

Works perfectly now

Rod

silly question: you have connected Sonos to 861 by coaxial, right?

Please use the Sticky Music Server Thread or we will have a million of these threads.