Sooloos acquired by Meridian today...

[tonepub]

Well it's official.

Couldn't talk about it for a while, but the ink is dry today.

Meridian bought Sooloos lock, stock and barrel today. This will bring Sooloos expertise in software and interface to the manufacturing expertise, high quality Digital hardware and distribution network of Meridian.

This will also dispel those who were afraid to invest in Sooloos, because they were not a major brand.

I'm having breakfast with Bob Stuart at CES in Jan., so I'll see what other info I can get on the matter....

Very interesting.

 

[sleepysurf]

Hopefully they'll be able to cut production costs/pricing, but Meridian gear tends to be higher priced regardless. Yet further proof that streaming media IS the future!

 

[Rich]

Bound to see some incredible products from this acquisition, but I don't expect them to be much cheaper. Meridian product is top-notch and priced accordingly. I plan to eventually move toward a server-based system, but haven't decided which way to go yet. This is just another example that the field is rapidly developing and it is worth hanging out on the sidelines for a little longer.

I actually still have and am still using one of the first music servers available, a Lansonic with a 160 GB hard drive (the largest available when I got it, which was about eight years ago). That product was never fully developed and the company went under a long time ago. This has been one of the reasons I am waiting awhile before investing in the new crop of servers.

 

[JonFo]

great news!

Meridian will definitely market and develop this platform.

Frankly, they needed this. As the UI's on their gear were never impressive.

And Rich is right, streaming is the future.

My new Denon AVP's streaming capabilities are the most pristine way to listen to CD quality data.

 

[amey01]

It will be interesting to see what sort of developments happen along the way. Streaming is definitely the future!

 

[tonepub]

I certainly think the combination of the Sooloos interface with a Meridian DAC will be tough to beat. Funny thing is that when we reviewed the DSP7200 speakers and 808.2i player combination, I used the Sooloos as one of the digital sources with the speakers alone and commented on what a great setup this was!

Now I know why Bob Stuart liked the review so much!

 

[amey01]

The Sooloos interface is certainly something to behold, although a little bulky doesn't everyone think? I don't really want a 17" touchscreen (or whatever it is) in my listening room - flickering in my face when I'm trying to listen and obstructing the soundstage, no matter how nice the graphics.

iPeng interface for the Squeezebox is almost as good and much neater to boot.

 

[tonepub]

But you already have a giant rack and plasma screen between
your speakers....

Besides, they have some smaller controllers too. New and on the
horizon.

 

[amey01]

But you already have a giant rack and plasma screen between
your speakers....

Yes, but it's not on the coffee table, blocking line of sight (or hearing) to the speakers!

 

[User211]

Just thought I'd say I have tried to like Meridian gear for years - and I never have. Being English I have been into a lot of their dem rooms at shows and have never been impressed.

I even home demo'd one of their CD players years ago - can't remember the model - but it was expensive. A lifeless, dull sounding beast to say the least. Their top of the line speakers do nothing for me either.

I've tried so hard to like them. But I just don't... though it does all look well made and well engineered.

Each to their own, I suppose. I respect them - I just don't like the sounds they produce.

 

[DrJRapp]

I've always had interest in Meridian's products but never owned one until recently when I purchased Jeff's 808. It is the farthest thing from lifeless and dull sounding beast one can get..IMHO.

The new aquisition is a natural for Meridian and will bring them to the forefront of bleeding edge digital music reproduction.

It will be state of the art, but pricey.

 

[User211]

There's a good chance their players have improved. I believe you if you say the 808 isn't lifeless and dull sounding - the player I borrowed was years ago - possibly 15 - well reviewed, but rubbish in my book. Harsh, but I always say if I don't like something. Never one to mince with words!

At the time I had the first model of a Phillips CD player ever made on loan from a friend - a 14 bit jobbie. I was really impressed with it, to be honest. It just didn't have the digital glare that used to afflict so many early players so terribly - like a Technics I bought. Remember thinking - how can this work so well with 2 missing bits? But it did

Anyway, good luck to Meridian. And don't forget you stateside guys will be paying a premium as it is imported.

 

[amey01]

There's a good chance their players have improved. I believe you if you say the 808 isn't lifeless and dull sounding - the player I borrowed was years ago - possibly 15 - well reviewed, but rubbish in my book. Harsh, but I always say if I don't like something. Never one to mince with words!

At the time I had the first model of a Phillips CD player ever made on loan from a friend - a 14 bit jobbie. I was really impressed with it, to be honest. It just didn't have the digital glare that used to afflict so many early players so terribly - like a Technics I bought. Remember thinking - how can this work so well with 2 missing bits? But it did

Anyway, good luck to Meridian. And don't forget you stateside guys will be paying a premium as it is imported.

Must say I've never really liked Meridian either. My last listen was many years ago, and if memory serves me correctly, it did some things very well, but just didn't have that "synergy" I look for.......