Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 800 vs. SB+

These filters may be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

But I wish it could be done in the processor. Why put it in each source when only one copy is needed to cover all sources. I'd like to see this capability on my music server source. A 518 like box would be fine too.

I can confidently say I will never go back to spinning CD's. The Music server ALLOWS me to actually get to listen to music. With CD's I listen WAY less. Because I don't know my mood and I may flip through 20-30 "CD's" on the Music server in 3 minutes. When I only have 30 minutes to listen. I get 27 minutes of music I'm in the mood for. While with CD's I'd still be flipping CD's or just not bother or just listen to a CD I might be in less of a mood for.

But if someone wants to spin CD's to get these abilities then go for it.

My sentiments exactly. I see SqueezeCenter 7 has just been released so anyone who has preordered one of the new remotes should be getting them soon. The SB interface is just about to get a whole lot better - well more colourful at the very least.

Cliff

It's in the source because there is still marketing mileage to be had from producing "the world's finest CD player". And it must also sound the finest CD player in all non-Meridian analogue and digital systems.

I have no doubt that this filter will, er, filter down into the processors, as it is a cutting edge technology that can be used to differentiate Meridian processors from everyone elses. There are clearly issues with regard to the MIPS required, but there is a precedent to enabling, initially, only for stereo inputs (upsampling in the 568.1).

FWIW Linn have introduced a couple of products (Akurate DS and Klimax DS) that seem to do pretty much what an SB does. They retail at around �3000 for the junior version and �9000 for the more upmarket offering.

Mark S

�3000 for the junior version - yikes! I think I'll stick with my standard SB3. Maybe upgrade to a Transporter if 24bit FLAC downloads become more readily available.

Cliff

The thing I love about the SB is the cost - for a couple hundred bucks/quids you can get performance rivalling, and in some instances outperforming, many high-end disc spinners. And I am now totally reluctant to climb the expense curve again, eg the Linn stuff above, or even the Transporter, in the pursuit of non-existent/minuscule gains. The SB has shown what can be achieved with very little cost - I see very little point in chucking money at the "high-end" servers for very little/no gain. I'll enjoy the SB and wait for the next paradigm shift

Mark

Chris & Nick
Sounds like ye had a good time with the D8k's as well as the 800 / SB+ comparisons. Enjoying the music (and a few beers) is what it's all about at the end of the day

Just out of curiosity, did ye have Upsampling enabled on the 800??

The thing I love about the SB is the cost - for a couple hundred bucks/quids you can get performance rivalling, and in some instances outperforming, many high-end disc spinners. And I am now totally reluctant to climb the expense curve again, eg the Linn stuff above, or even the Transporter, in the pursuit of non-existent/minuscule gains.


Having run an SB3 with a Russ Andrews Squeezepak PSU I can assure you that there is a vast difference in sound performance between the SB3 and my Transporter the Transporter wins hands down.

Like you though I do find the sound quality and pricing of the SB3 amassing likewise the same for the Transporter but I`m finding it hard to understand what more you can get for �3,000 and �9,000 apart from the name.

SC7 is streets ahead of SS 6.5.4 but so far no version is up and running for external NAS products but I`m sure it will be anytime soon, sure hope so as its good.

Has anyone actually listened to the 808.2i in a home environment against the SB3?

Tim.

I believe it. I'm running a modified SB2. The Transporter borrowed a lot of ideas from the mods which were being performed on the SBs. But does it sound 5 times better, eg the Transporter costs 5x the SB...? If not, we are once again playing the game of rapidly diminishing returns which is what the SB is fighting against.


Well, I guess there is the potential for better components to make differences, eg Transporter, but now you are talking 15x - 45x the cost of an SB (ignoring the accompanying PC costs)... I doubt it sounds 15x-45x better...

And I guess there is some attempt at making the package easier to use. But again, is it worth the extra cost. Perhaps to some.

Mark

Mark_H
I don't think anyone (but the silly) can expect a linear law of ��� vs performance return. I think that we've all here at some point decided that �x'000 or $y,000 was justifiable...once upon a time. The difference is that the performance vs price curve has changed massively with SB (and the like) and we'll have to see how M respond to that.

Ronnie,

You're absolutely right about that
I don't recall if HS was on in the 800 or not. It certainly was ON in the G68.

The irony is that most people (certainly >98%++ of the population) would think that the $3,000 for the F80 as being completely Looney Tunes money, never mind D5200 or D8k money. Think of the way most people on this forum laughed at the apparent insanity and ravings of the Greek Audiophile society video that was posted here a few months ago.

THAT is exactly how most of our Wives, Friends, Workmates and other people perceive US

With that in mind, if the premise of a Meridian SB being available for e.g. �1,500 was palatable to most people on this forum, then they would still need to sell TEN times as many SB+++ as Meridian CD players, just to stand still (revenue wise)

Remember that most people won't spend that money as they already think that an iPod and Bose Wave radio is more than "great sound". Even going on most of the sentiments expressed here, many people don't think that there is much room for improvement over the standard SB.

Not easy business decisions for Meridian IMHO

To put prices in perspective, look at the price of a G series model against its C series equivalent - �505 in the case of a G61R/C61R. You are then going to get an idea of the price of a G series case. I'm not saying that people have said that you will, but are we going to get a SB in suited and booted in a G series case for �1500? Cheapest G series kit is �1450 - G01 control unit. I suspect we are going to be talking G08.2 money - �2250 because I can't see M not putting the new filter technology in a client to get rid of the crud that will be on many a ripped piece of music.