Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Thread Like Summary - MQA Equipment integration into Meridian Legacy advice

Hi HHs

Hope this is the correct forum for this. I'm looking for equipment setup/purchase advice. I've read a lot of threads on here, MQA and the Roon sites. Apologies if I've missed one that has covered this. Whilst I have a good understanding, I know there is more knowledgeable and experienced people here, especially about legacy meridian equipment and integration into newer equipment.

My current setup for 2 channel;

861v4/LPSU/ID40
DSP 6K 24/96

My query is about using MQA streaming and MQA playback of local files into the system in a way that will yield the highest audio "quality". I know quality is subjective. I guess for me would be maximising the full potential of the files and the capabilities of my system. I know there's a few ways I can get this via software and hardware. I've tried a few things already but some (particularly hardware) I've not been able to try. Hence I think your advice could really be invaluable here. I know future of MQA streaming is also uncertain so I'm mainly looking at the below options for playback of existing local MQA tracks. It would be good to future proof for hires streaming/local playback as well.

I know I could connect something like the 218 into 6ks directly (I think) but I'm trying to incorporate the MRC on the 861.

Here's what I've tried already;

Tidal MQA - BlueSound node 2i - coax - 861
Vs Same file local library on computer via BlueOS BlueSound Coax to 861

Roon - Tidal MQA - Id40 - 861
Vs RoonOS local library - id40 - 861

Each time, despite the software saying MQA and same frequency (as direct stream), the Tidal direct stream option sounded better. Not massively but noticeable.

Is there something happening on the software end that allows the stream reach full decoding Vs the file itself which is only getting partial decoding? Or is this something likely in the file. Or could it be a limitation with the equipment in my audio workflow.

Other options I'm considering instead of getting a Roon lifetime subscription are..(sticking within the same total budget £1k)

A>218,
-is it possible to use the ID40 with this or would I only be able to use the coax out to the 861 or direct to the 6ks?
-would this likely decode my files fully compared to 'Stream Vs file' issue mentioned above. (If this option, I'm also considering a second hand MC200 and upgrading the storage, for storing files and use the Sooloos protocol for local access and playback. I know support for this has ended but having borrowed a C15, the sound achieved via the id40 sounded really good)

B>Stick to Roon and Id40, (would need to invest in a NUC plus storage for tracks)

C>Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer, £800, ripper, storage (something you may not be familiar with..as it's very new). This has the ability to decode and render MQA as well DSD (future proof, when I get DSD files). I'm demoing this next week hopefully, which will allow me to see if the MQA local files decoding sounds just like the stream option - the main reason why I'm trying this device. This will likely be coax/optical into the 861. It's supposedly Roon ready too so I assume should I spend the extra (going way over my 1k budget in the future and get Roon on top, more like almost 2k I guess) I'll be able to access the files on there and get to send the audio via Id40. But for the money I suspect the NUC would be a cheaper option overall and would yield the same results? ...or Get Roon nulcleus if I'm going to end up going way over the budget anyway in the end.

I think a lot of people on here would suggest Roon + Nucleus, as I've noticed many here have gone that way.. but I'd like to stay to the lower part of the budget ideally. Especially as I'm not sure I'd be able to tell the difference on my system with only just a NUC instead.

>>My main overall goal would be to use the ID40 in the 861 (assuming this would be the best type of connection), playing local MQA and HiRes files. Stay within budget. Avoid Roon if I can unless it's going to yield a much better sound than the other options mentioned. <<

Apologies for the very long post but I think there's a few options here for roughly the same money and my knowledge on the items is limited.

Would be especially great to hear from HHs who have a similar/same setup/audio workflow and have tried the various options.

Hope you can help and thank you in advance.

If you want to experience MQA properly, you need a device that can complete all the unfolds of the data.

The only devices that Meridian produced that would complete this would be the 818v3, 218, and 210?
Ideally, the digital speakers also need to be MQA compatible, so you're looking at 5200.2s, 7200.2s (both with the latest v3.16 firmware), and the SEs as they complete the final digital unfold.
This would all need to be driven via Roon & Tidal.

On a properly set up system, the differences between an MQA and a non-MQA track are definitely audible.

The 861 doesn't have the processing power to decode MQA, so even fed from a suitable Roon system, it won't be any different from the normal track.

The best way to get as close as possible to the full MQA decode would be to add a 218 (or 210?) onto the 2nd digital input of the DSP6000s.
Whilst you're not going to get the last digital unfold (only available to digital speakers that support MQA unfolding), you will get the first two unfolds.
The 218's SQ can be dramatically improved by replacing the onboard 12v PSU with an external Linear PSU - with that it should give an 818v3 a very good run for its money!
If you still want MRC, the parameters can be entered into Roon and should still be applied, even with the MQA decoding.

Drop me a PM if you want to listen to MQA vs non-MQA.

Cheers,

Steve

I used an 818v3 with DSP6000s for a while. It was a very nice pairing and to me demonstrates just how good the 6000s are.

As Steve noted in his post, you don't get the final unfold with 6000s, but the result is still really excellent.

Very well put Steve and great advice!

I believe the 218 can fully decode to its analogue outputs but the 210 needs the speakers to finish the final unfold as it is digital out only

On a side note.. has anyone tried the external supply on a 210? I’ve heard great results from the 218 conversion.

Kind regards
David

Whatever option you choose, your DSP6k’s are limited to 24/96.

So, even if you connected a 218 to your 6k’s via a Meridian AC12, the 218’s digital output is also limited to 24/96.

As for NUC vs Nucleus; I bought a fan-less NUC, with the same motherboard as used in the Nucleus at half the price of the Nucleus. Not everyone on here owns a Nucleus. Many more successfully use an off-the-shelf NUC (with i3, i5 or i7 processor).

MrTechGuy can modify a Meridian MC200 to accommodate Roon and Tidal - but it’s not as cost-effective an option as buying a NUC or Nucleus, in my opinion.

The Farad Super 3 is the best LPSU I've tried to date and is very good. You can certainly get cheaper, but not likely anywhere near as good.

It should only invalidate the warranty if the LPSU was responsible for blowing the device up, which I suspect is unlikely (assuming you spec the right voltage and polarity connector).

Hope this helps a little :-)