Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 808 vs 808.2

Is this not something that the 808.2i can do?

You are absolutely right and I have to change my recommendation! If you already have an 861v4 or G68 then you should get an 808i.2 and not an 808.2. This is, of course, assuming that the 808i.2 can upsample 3rd party sources.

Edit: I want to caveat the above post. The 808i.2 is the only Meridian product currently available that can apodize a stereo signal prior to a Meridian processor. If you just want CD, then the "i" is, naturally, superflous. Justifying the "i" depends, then, on the number of non-CD digital stereo sources you have. In my system, I have a Squeezebox and satellite receiver; everything else is multi-channel. It's almost certainly not worth it for the satellite box, but that does make the 808i.2 a very expensive upsampler for the Squeezebox (I listen through EAC ripped CD through the Squeezebox than than via CD itself).

im not sure I fully understand. I have a 808i not .2. Does this mean that my 861V4 might be getting all of the advantages of having a 808.2 without having to change. In other words just hold on to the 861v4 and probably will get the upgrades of the 808.2 in the next version anyhow 861V5. I'm just using the 808i as a transport anyhow.

This is what I am speculating. To me, given the appearance of the apodizing technology, this is a natural thing for Meridian to do, but it is purely speculation on my part.

Isn't the 861 at V5 already for new units only and you will not be able to update to that spec? But V6 will apparently be an available update. It would be good to know the difference between V4 and V5 in light of more recent announcements. If it is a hike in MIPS and/or memory, then there may be a clue as to what the future holds by way of apodizing filters.

I don't think so. IIRC, a "V5" was shown at CEDIA 2007 and featured a new case. These are certainly not on the market or we would have heard about them. I think we're still on V4.

I was told that the Cedia model only had a different faceplate, interior was the same.

Also, I am confident that there will be an upgrade available for 808i owners

Meridian won't let us down

I'd think about the 568/598 updates released just prior to the launch of the G Series before expecting too much.

There is a difference with the 808 though. It's the flagship CD player and it a *lot* of money to spend only to be told a month later it has been superceded by a better flagship player and, sorry, no upgrade or trade-in program. It's not exactly how you expand and maintain your lucrative 800-series user base.

The 800 and 861 are in a different category, because even if you were unlucky in the timing of your purchase, an upgrade has always been available.

It will be an U-turn for Meridian to provide an upgrade/trade-in path for the 808, but it would be one that I think most of us would applaud.

Get ready to applaud IMHO