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818 Reference Audio Core
Network Audio Player/Preamplifier
Product highlights
Reference preamplifier featuring
Meridian enhancement
technologies such as triple FIFO
buffering, DSP upsampling and
apodising filters to deliver the very
best performance from any digital
source.
Overview
Since its introduction in 1998,
Meridian’s 800 Reference Series has
provided a platform from which the
company has been able to showcase
the very best in surround sound, DVD,
CD, and network music playback.
Through its regular updates and
iterations, it has also proven to be an
immovable benchmark against which
performance standards have been
set throughout the audio industry.
818 is the latest product to join the
800 Reference Series, and as such
benefits from almost 15 years of 800
Series product innovation.
Meridian’s Audio Core concept
combines the source connectivity
features of a high-performance
preamplifier with a full suite of
proprietary resolution enhancement
technologies, and provides
connectivity to Meridian’s unique
range of DSP Loudspeakers. In
addition to its external source
connectivity, 818 also provides an
internal Meridian Sooloos source
through a network connection to
any Meridian Sooloos Digital Media
System.
Maximum quality & I/O flexibility
As part of the 800 Reference Series, 818
is the highest performance two-channel
preamplifier and Sooloos end-point
manufactured by Meridian.
Connecting at the centre of an incredible
Meridian music system, 818 offers simple
networked integration with any Meridian
Sooloos Digital Media System plus an array
of other sources.
818 features twin SpeakerLink outputs
for “home run” connection in an all-digital
system with any of Meridian’s SpeakerLink
equipped DSP Loudspeakers. And as part
of the 800 Reference Series, 818 features
superb, high-quality analogue pre-amplifier
outputs via both balanced and singleended connectors, ensuring 818 can also
be used in more traditional audio systems.
Meridian’s SpeakerLink connection system
delivers the highest quality digital signals to
Meridian’s DSP Loudspeakers on discreet,
low-cost cables with simple connectors.
SpeakerLink helps make a Meridian system
easier to install and far less intrusive
than other high-end audio systems. The
advantage of the twin SpeakerLink output
is that left and right loudspeakers can both
be connected directly to the 818, further
simplifying wiring structure and making
cables even easier to hide.
In common with other Audio Core units
such as the Audio Core 200, 818 may be
used to control and configure Meridian
DSP loudspeakers that do not have
their own display, such as the DSP3200
and M6. Features such as Bass, Treble,
Balance and Boundary Gain Compensation
can be set from the Audio Control unit.
Resolution Enhancement
In common with the rest of Meridian’s 800
Reference Series, 818 employs triple FIFO
buffering, DSP upsampling and apodising
filters to get the very best performance from
all digital sources.
New ID41 Sooloos Card connects
direct to a Meridian Sooloos Digital
Media System to make the 818 an
audio endpoint, rendering audio
streamed from the Digital Media
System. Magnetically-isolated
design maximises audio quality
Control the Meridian Sooloos Play
Queue with the remote control or
front panel, or for complete control
use the Sooloos Core Control App
for iPad.
Full range of analogue and digital
inputs allowing the 818 to handle
all your sources, with Meridian
enhancements on the digital inputs.
High-resolution USB input for top
quality audio from your computer
system.
Meridian SpeakerLink
connection for ultimate quality
and convenience of installation
when driving Meridian DSP
Loudspeakers.
Meridian Audio Limited
meridian-audio.com
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818 Reference Audio Core
Network Audio Player/Preamplifier
LEFT RIGHT LEFT
RIGHT
DIGITAL
OUTPUT
SPEAKERLINK OUT
ANALOGUE
INPUT
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
DIGITAL
INPUT
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
IN
B6
SPEAKERLINK
ANALOGUE
OUTPUT
CDDVD
D3 D2 D1
SATDISC
GAMESL1
O2 O1
818 rear panel drawing
The ID41 Sooloos Card enables 818 to
connect directly to a Meridian Sooloos
Digital Media System. When connected,
the 818 becomes an audio endpoint and
renders audio streamed from the Digital
Media System. This new card has been
designed with particular attention paid to
magnetic isolation. This helps maximise the
performance of the Sooloos source without
the need for external cable filtering.
Control commands sent through the 818
can be used to manage music held in the
Sooloos’s current Play Queue, while the
Sooloos apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod
Touch can all be used to control 818 as a
MHR/SPDIF
Meridian 818
Designed and made in England by:
Meridian Audio Limited.
Registered Design and Copyright 2012 ©
WARNING!
No user serviceable parts inside.
Disconnect power cable before removing this cover.
MASTERSLAVE
This equipment must be connected to an earthed mains socket outlet.
Apparatet må kun tilkoples jordet stikkontakt.
Unité intégrale - ne doit être révisée que par le service d'entretien agréé.
Débrancher le câble électrique avant d'enlever ce couvercle.
ATTENTION!
WARNING!
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK - DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION!
NE PAS OUVRIR - RISQUE DE DÉCHARGE ÉLECTRIQUE
Made in England
source within a Meridian Sooloos Digital
Media System.
818 offers a diverse range of highperformance audio inputs, both analogue
and digital. These allow all your audio
sources to be switched and processed
using the same powerful audio enhancing
DSP as the internal Sooloos source. It
also offers an elegant way to connect and
control almost any audio source you might
want to enjoy on a pair of Meridian DSP
Loudspeakers.
A high-resolution USB input allows a
simple high-quality connection to be made
between your personal computer and the
POWER
OFF
Voltage
ON
Warning : Shock Hazard - Do Not Open
No user serviceable parts inside
Power Input : 220-230V
~ 50-60 Hz 40W max
Caution : Replace
SPEAKERLINK IN
DIGITAL
INPUT
800-ID28
U1
O1O3 O2SL2 SL1
SOOLOOS
COMPUTER
800-ID41
Maintenance
TRIGGER
Network
RS232
MERIDIAN COMMS
3
2
1
Reference Audio Core, allowing 818 to
function as an external soundcard for your
computer. This simple method of digital
connection enhances the sound from all
media on your computer, whether stored
locally or streamed across a network or the
internet.
818 Reference Audio Core features a
power supply design built around a true
toroidal transformer for minimum noise and
maximum signal integrity.
818 is available in three standard 800
Series colours; Graphite, Silver and Piano
Lacquer Black, as well as the full range of
Meridian Select colour options.
with same type fuse
T1.6AL 250V
40W max
Outline Technical Specification
Stereo Outputs:
Analogue:
1x unbalanced on phono
1x balanced on XLR-3M
Digital:
Coaxial S/PDIF ≤96kHz/24-bit
Twin SpeakerLink, RJ45 balanced (AES/EBU)
digital interface for single-cable connection to
other Meridian equipment, ≤96kHz/24-bit with
MHR
Stereo Inputs:
Analogue:
6x unbalanced on phono
Digital:
3x Coaxial S/PDIF ≤96kHz/24-bit
5x Toslink optical ≤96kHz/24-bit
3x SpeakerLink ≤96kHz/24-bit
1x High-resolution USB
Sources:
Meridian Sooloos:
RJ45 Ethernet connection
Comms:
Meridian Comms:
2x 240 degree 5-pin DIN
2x SpeakerLink inputs with Comms
2x SpealerLink outputs with Comms
RS232:
9-pin D-sub, remote control & configuration
Triggers:
3x 12V (barrel connectors)
Construction:
Black lacquer, graphite, or silver metalic finishes
in metal and glass. Meridian Select colours also
available.
Controls:
Front panel:
Source, Play/Pause, Previous, Next, Mute,
Volume+, Volume-, Off
Behind long door:
Menu, Up, Down, Left, Right, F-Fwd, F-Rwd,
Setup, Source, Display, Mute, Volume+, Volume-
Remote Control:
Via MSR+ (supplied) and RS232
Display:
20-character LED:
With adjustable brightness and contrast.
Dimensions (HWD):
75mm (6.9in) x 480mm (18.9in)
x 411mm (16.2)
Weight:
xxkg (xxlbs)
Power:
110 - 120 Volt 50/60Hz
220 - 240 Volt 50/60Hz
Max Power Consumption:
40 Watts
818.DS-ENG v0.1• REƒ • 20120105
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