Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems F80 @ HOME

How mistaken I am, It seems we are quite a little community, perhaps we should call or neck of the woods Merdidianshire?

us Cambridge boys have Meridianshire :p

Does anyone know how the Meridian iPod video dock work - ie the big red one with 1080p over HDMI ?

Presumably, with lack of digital audio out, it would be possible to treat the iPod as a disc drive and simply read the raw data files off the iPod disc.

I can see this is non trivial (different formats and DRM), but the ability to plug say an additional external USB HDD into such a device would be such a flexible solution. It would simply act as a music server to what ever was plugged into it - iPod, USB flash drive, USB HDD etc.

[Mischief Mode]

Does anyone know if the Meridian iPod Dock exists?

Well it, or a look alike was at CES

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/12/Meridian-mv-d1-iPod-dock-outputs-1080p-content-to-your-hdtv/

But the one for the F80 is conspicuous by its absence. [wishful thinking]Maybe its got USB/iPod functionality already built into the F80? So the F80 'iPod' dock interface is really a UHCI/OHCI interface - wishful thinking! But it could explain why its taking a little time to see the light of day.[/wishful thinking]

KIS. From another thread, I see that you appreciate the aspects of a Meridian processor that make it stand out from the crowd. The same can be said about the F80 and how it differs from the likes of Bose et al. The F80 delivers musicality and emotion much in the same way that a Meridian processor does.

I don't at all believe it, but I'd have to hear it for myself. Nothing in the reviews or your comments lead me to believe that this product competes or blows away a $3,000 system. And as for a mini system, the price just seems absurd. For my mini system I run a Sonos and a SACD/DVDA to a Klipsch iFi. The sound is absolutely awesome, especially for $400. I honestly cannot justify the F80, 861, 800 and 808 in the way that I can justify the Meridian 561, 568.2 and G68. If the reviews were proclaiming it to be a wonder of engineering, I'd be impressed. But this simply is not the case.

And let's not forget, Bose simply sucks.

Still waiting your Review KIS.

Cheers, Chris

When I get around to it, dude. There is nothing in the reviews that is driving me to go and listen to it. The reports indicate that it is the best boom box (as it should be for $3k), but a boom box none-the-less. I am very interested in it from an industry point of view though.

A couple of months ago the TEAC CD/DAB radio we had in the kitchen had to go,(long story), and we have been without music in the kitchen and dinning room unless the Meridian kit was really wound up/all the doors open and neighbors complaining. SWMBO had set her sights on a Pure device and yesterday we went to look and listen. After about 30 seconds I walked away as the section with replacement batteries on display seemed far more entertaining. We next called in on our super friendly Meridian supplier. On the way SWMBO kept muttering about refusing to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a little CD/radio when that would be half the cost of a good summer holiday for 2 weeks etc. etc.

Well on arrival and being introduced to a red F80 I found myself listening in awe and having the most enormous grin on my face that it was starting to hurt. SWMBO looked at me and said “well there is just no comparison but I`m not sure which colour I want”. I very conservatively said “well don`t rush in, listen some more and be sure you feel it is worth the price”. Well she went for the silver version as she was a little concerned that maybe after a long period of time she might get tired of the red.

So a silver one has been ordered as the last F80 other than the demo one had been sold the day before. SWMBO asked if they were selling well to which we had the response, “every body who has auditioned one has bought one, and they have sold all the original stock and have already more sold on order”. If this is repeated across the dealerships them Meridian are on an absolute winner.

As to the question of how good it is compared to equivalent or more expensive systems, I feel the simple answer is to try and find a 2.1 stereo 80 watt system anywhere near as compact with the speakers set 9 inches apart that can present you with such crystal clear musicality, breadth/depth of stereo image, build quality that can easily be moved location and appropriate DSP sound stage selected that really enhances the sound rather than change it and make it superficially sound more impressive - answer - there just aint nothin out there that even comes close by a country mile.

Expensive - Yes
Quality - Yes
Can we afford one - No
Is it worth it - in both our minds Yes
Must we have one - Yes

The verdit - in English parliamentarian terms is “the aye`s have it” and so will we once it`s delivered!

You got two good ones - the F80 and the wife!

Yep and I'm feeling very smug about the fact