NEWS: Meridian Releases The Explorer Pocket-Sized USB DAC - Page 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by emsubs 

 

Any updates or details about the running change? I doubt Meridian will make a public statement.

 

Thanks

I got word that the new one is on the way to me, so I reckon it's really soon.

I'm trying to get a statement from them...we'll see.

I wonder how they can make a running change like this so quickly.  It must have took a while to fine tune the sound they were getting to where they liked it.  How much could a component value change like this affect the sound in other ways other than expected improvements in frequency response linearity?  I certainly hope they put in time to test this change and make sure it only affects things positively.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcwang 

I wonder how they can make a running change like this so quickly.  

My understanding is that they became aware of the issue quite early on...before Purrin's measurements.  Feedback came from dealers who got early samples and some must have noticed.  But the production run was all set to go and the PR schedule required production to carry on. I guess they felt it wasn't a big enough issue to stop the presses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens 

I got word that the new one is on the way to me, so I reckon it's really soon.

 

I'm trying to get a statement from them...we'll see.

Thank you - Look forward to your review.

2 hours battery time on a laptop ? I'd get a new laptop. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter 

2 hours battery time on a laptop ? I'd get a new laptop. 

It does seem to have a pretty big draw on the battery relative to the DF.  On my MBA at steady state idle on full battery I'd get something like 6 hours listening to music out of my headphone out.  Adding the ME in the mix and waiting 5 minutes for the battery guage to adjust it would drop to just under 4:30.  The DF by comparison knocked off about 30 minutes.

The sub 500$ notebook will last little more than 2 hours, and little less than 3. I know laptop can last long, like the one I'm typing on, it's a X230 no Wonder you can run all day for sure.

My point is if you want portable get a portable player, I fail to understand the logic here...

The explorer is for those who want truly great sound and can lug a computer, so IMO they also lug full size cans because there is no contest vs small IEM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emsubs 

Any updates or details about the running change? I doubt Meridian will make a public statement.

 

Thanks

I just got an email from the Director of Product Management, Meridian America this afternoon. He said improvements have been made to expand headphone compatibility and a change to the volume control, mentioning "we have had feedback that with some music players the steps were previously too course." Nothing more specific about the changes than that was stated. He did say that the updated version is now shipping and, at least the dealer that I used, would have them in their next shipment. He offered to exchange the Explorer I purchased with a current production model.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teofilrocks 

 

I just got an email from the Director of Product Management, Meridian America this afternoon. He said improvements have been made to expand headphone compatibility and a change to the volume control, mentioning "we have had feedback that with some music players the steps were previously too course." Nothing more specific about the changes than that was stated. He did say that the updated version is now shipping and, at least the dealer that I used, would have them in their next shipment. He offered to exchange the Explorer I purchased with a current production model.

How did you reach out to them?  I used the suport link from their main website over the weekend.

I used the customer support email messaging system on their website to no avail. They never got back to me.

I had a question about the unit's variable volume control.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrln 

They never replied to me either. Looks like Meridian is just trying to hide everything. Even as they admit production changes still no real information given, as in output impedance number etc. Seems like all early customers bought an inferior product. This could be a case study on how not to handle things.

I'd say they are not replying to customers as a general rule of thumb :D When I got my unit I asked them about proper linux configuration and never got an answer from them. Notice that they say that people should ask their sellers first.

As a company they dont talk much to anyone, see the Hitchhikers Meridian forum for some of the resentment it caused over product announcements and upgrades etc. 

Having dealt with Meridian as a consumer for 15+ years now, I would say they are a reputable business and are likely to do the right thing by their customers - at some point and without much/any communication though! 

Yea, I emailed them last week and it took them almost a week to respond. In fact, I believe Todd at TTVJ Audio (who I bought it through) went to batt for me and that's why I got a reply when I did. I emailed Todd yesterday to tell him I hadn't heard back, and an hour later, the Meridian Director of Product Management contacted me and CC'd Todd. So what I learned from this experience is that TTVJ takes care of it's customers. Also, I don't believe this device to be "defective" or necessarily "inferior". Remember, it got some pretty glowing reviews (both inside and out of Head-Fi) from those who presumably didn't know about any impedance numbers. I just think a little less pride and a little more transparency on Meridian's part would have done a world of good in establishing a good relationship with this new (and larger) segment of customers once this concern was raised.

I got the MicroStreamer in yesterday and have about 8 hours of headtime on it now.  

It's a pretty solid upgrade over the DragonFly.  It also highlights that I am indeed having some issues with output impedance for the ME into my 334s... the bass is strong on these IEMs, and I believe the ME was reducing it enough that is produced in my mind a more balanced sound.  Even out of my MBA headphone out the bass is stronger.  The difference is the MS brings back some of that tautness I perceived from the ME, esp. rolling tips back to stock, the bass becomes even more attenuated and mids more open - this is the best I've heard these so far.  Stock tips and the ME wasn't working for me.  I'm curious to see how the MS competes against a ME with the output impedance issue corrected, I'm still somewhat inclined to believe the ME will be better.  The thing with the ME is I was getting what I perceived to be a pretty vast headspace, but who knows if that was a consequence of the alterations to the frequency response.  The downside is the sound overall was a bit lean and lacking body.

I'm surprised there isn't more fuss over the MS - it does that analog but detailed thing with aplomb.  Really outstanding considering the price and form factor.  

I'll be putting in a call to my ME dealer today so I can get a corrected unit.