Specifications

Bob Stuart answers Questions about the Meridian 800 V3
Page 17
About upgrades…?
91 What is the future upgrade path?
Like its stable-mate 861, 800 is not like any other kind of Hi-Fi equipment. Both have been
designed using high-performance backplanes in such a way that all the circuitry is on plug-in
cards. This means everything can be upgraded, changed, evolved and so on. 800 extends
this concept to using standard-sized drives.
In both 800 and 861 this has been done expressly so that they can be upgraded and evolved
as new sources or requirements arise.
For example, in the three years since its introduction, the 861 has been upgraded several
times – to increase its performance to 96kHz and 24-bit, adding new source cards, adding a
variety of video switching options, adding multichannel input etc. It doesn’t stop there: 861 will
gain more and more sound-processing DSP, more outputs and inputs as requirements grow.
800 inherits this mindset. Recently we announced the VE10 Progressive card which can be
added to all 800s ever made.
Significantly we have recently embarked on an upgrade program that is open to all owners of
800 who would like their player upgraded to current version 3 functionality. See Q. 94.
We are currently considering adding more audio processing, video processing like upscaling,
video inputs, secure digital video outputs – the list is endless.
The future of AV is very exciting and we have designed 800 and 861 to give you and us the
best shot at unequalled performance now and open-ended opportunities down the road.
One word of caution: Meridian plans to evolve these components in any way that improves
the sound, picture or versatility that makes sense. It does not mean that we will do everything,
or that we will do it first – so you must be happy with what you buy today. However, we
certainly will try and whatever we do will be for good reason and excellent!
92 Can a second drive be fitted in the future for recording or as a changer?
We have no immediate plans for the second drive bay, but who knows!
93 Is there a tuner card?
No plans right now.
94 I already own 800. Can I upgrade it to DVD-Audio?
Yes. Meridian’s general policy on upgrades is that where we can offer software updates these
are either free or cover a small labour charge from your dealer.
Hardware upgrades always carry a charge. In some cases, where hardware changes simply
involve plugging in new cards a trained Meridian dealer can complete this for you. Meridian
dealers should be able to perform the version 3 upgrade of 861.
Depending on your unit, an upgrade to 800 version 3 will involve changing between 3 and 5
cards and several other checks or adjustments. For that we need to get the units back to our
facility. We will work closely with your dealer to schedule a suitable time and we will make
every effort to ensure that your 800 is away for the minimum time. Please do not send units
to us directly without first arranging a schedule.
95 How are software upgrades done?
800’s software can be updated using a computer with an RS232 connection. See Q. 72.