My new Explorer is here

[ronenash]

Just got my new Meridian Explorer this morning. Its a very classy little device as can be seen on the various sites and press releases.

I immediately connected it in my main system through a WW Ultraviolet 6 USB cable (WW Platinum USB is on order) and on the other end its connected to the cj ACT2 via WW Silver Eclipse 6 interconnect. Setting up the driver on a Win8 PC was as simple as it gets. Then came setting up J.River to use the new Explorer instead of the Musical Fidelity V-Link which is connected to the Meridian 800.
Strait out of the box the soundstage is huge, bass is deep and tuneful. Depth seems more limited than my previous setup. I assume it will change after break in. If the Explorer continues to improve with break in it can easily surpass the megabuck 800 for sound quality. Amazing what a few years can do in digital audio.
I will try to run the Explorer constantly for the coming two weeks and will update as it breaks in.

[howiebrou]

Nice. Let us know how it changes over time!


Howie

[Tonepub]

It won't take 2 weeks to break in. No big teflon caps under the hood. 24 hours of continuous play and it will sound like what it's going to sound like.

[-E-]

Amazing what a little TI chip can do... o.O

[Elberoth]

ronenash - the V-Link is limiting your system big time. Try the BADA Alpha USB, the new BelCanto REFlink (or the cheaper uLink) and you will be blown away.

I tried the V-Link, and compared to the BADA it is like comparing the cheapest AQ IC to Nordost Odin. HUGE difference.

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

ronenash - the V-Link is limiting your system big time. Try the BADA Alpha USB, the new BelCanto REFlink (or the cheaper uLink) and you will be blown away.

I tried the V-Link, and compared to the BADA it is like comparing the cheapest AQ IC to Nordost Odin. HUGE difference.

That maybe true but the Explorer sounds so good and continues to improve that I am not sure I will look any farther than the Explorer with WW Platinum cables on both ends

[ronenash]

Originally Posted by tonepub

It won't take 2 weeks to break in. No big teflon caps under the hood. 24 hours of continuous play and it will sound like what it's going to sound like.

and what a wonderful sound it is. I have not heard the AQ dragonfly or the Halide DAC but the Meridian is truly wonderful.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

ronenash - the V-Link is limiting your system big time. Try the BADA Alpha USB, the new BelCanto REFlink (or the cheaper uLink) and you will be blown away.

I tried the V-Link, and compared to the BADA it is like comparing the cheapest AQ IC to Nordost Odin. HUGE difference.

Adam,
Are you talking about the V link or the V link 192 ? Those are 2 different animals...

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[ronenash]

After a few days the Explorer seems like its 99% stabilized. This is really a great DAC much like the 800 DAC but with the shorted signal path it outperforms the 800. Better defined bass, even larger and more focused soundstage more sophisticated harmonically (a good piano recording sounds more realistic). I love the simple and strait forward connection. USB on one end and mini plug to RCA on the other.
I am sure the performance with take another significant step up when I replace the USB cable and the mini to RCA cable to WW Platinum.

This is a must audition device and not only for headphone use (which I never tried seriously).

[Elberoth]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Adam,
Are you talking about the V link or the V link 192 ? Those are 2 different animals...

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

V-Link.