[JamieCole]

   
I have the TF10 and TDK BA200 for work use
and occasionally I will throw in the Monoprice 8382.
 
Also I read the Explorer has a impedance of 5 ohms. Any issue as my gear listed is quite sensitive?
Any hissing sound?

The most sensitive headphones I have are the Shure 215 in-ears. They are rated at 20 ohms with a sensitivity of 107 dB. So, they are well off the 1/8 rule with the 5 ohm Explorer, but they still sound terrific. I didn't detect any noticeable hissing or background noise. Actually, I heard more background noise with the DragonFly when compared to the Explorer using the 215's. Granted, they were plugged into two different USB ports, so it wasn't an entirely controlled experiment. But, that's still what I heard. 
 
At $150 each, order them both from Amazon and return the one you don't like. 
 

 

[smilemantts]

Has anyone used the Meridian Explorer with B&W P7s, or can comment on how well the two should work together?
 
Would like to use this combo with following hardware: MacBook Pro Retina 15", iPad Air and Android smartphone (Nexus 5, hopefully soon Nexus 6).
 
I play my music primarily through Plex Home Theatre App on the MBPr, Plex apps on iPad and Nexus 5. Will also occasionally use Vox on MBPr.
 
Thanks.

 

[Borbarad]

  Has anyone used the Meridian Explorer with B&W P7s, or can comment on how well the two should work together?
 
Would like to use this combo with following hardware: MacBook Pro Retina 15", iPad Air and Android smartphone (Nexus 5, hopefully soon Nexus 6).
 
I play my music primarily through Plex Home Theatre App on the MBPr, Plex apps on iPad and Nexus 5. Will also occasionally use Vox on MBPr.
 
Thanks.

 
 
Yep, I used this combo for quite a while on a MacPro until I passed the explorer down to my father as I went for the Meridian Prime+PSU. In short: works brilliantly. And my father is enjoying his P7 with the Explorer. P7 plus Explorer is value for money!
 
B

 

[smilemantts]

   
 
Yep, I used this combo for quite a while on a MacPro until I passed the explorer down to my father as I went for the Meridian Prime+PSU. In short: works brilliantly. And my father is enjoying his P7 with the Explorer. P7 plus Explorer is value for money!
 
B

Thanks.
 
What about using the Explorer with a smartphone?

 

[yoyo59]

just ordered this meridian explorer brought from US $149 + postage + import tax
 
still cheaper than £249 here..
 
hope its a good replacement to my asus STX as I move to mini itx build
 

 

[rozunoe]

Seems like a new Meridian Explorer is coming out. The Meridian Explorer2.
 
https://www.meridian-audio.com/en/collections/products/explorer2/52/

 

[smilemantts]

  Seems like a new Meridian Explorer is coming out. The Meridian Explorer2.
 
https://www.meridian-audio.com/en/collections/products/explorer2/52/

Well, that explains the $150 price cut.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

  Thanks.
 
What about using the Explorer with a smartphone?

 
Like this?  
 

 

[smilemantts]

   
Like this?  
 

 
Nice!

 

[jjcha]

   
Like this?  
 

Mike, what is the power of the battery you're using with the CCK and the Meridian Explorer?  I just tried with one rated DC 5V1A, 2200mAh capacity, which doesn't appear to work.  Going to try a more powerful one.
 
ETA:  Looks like that's an Anker 2nd Gen Astro E3?  If so, to answer my own question, it's a 5V3A, 10kmAh.  Pretty beefy stuff.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

It sounds really good.  Very quiet noise floor and plenty of gain.
 
http://www.amazon.com/10000mAh-Dual-Port-Compact-External-Portable/dp/B009USAJCC/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1413679956&sr=1-3&keywords=anker
 

 

[smilemantts]

Anyone want to speculate on what features the new Explorer will have (i.e., DSD support, no need for external power, etc.)?

 

[lmf22]

Ugh...I just bought the Explorer less than a month ago. Maybe that's why they lowered the price to $150. Any information on release date and price?

 

[tiobilli]

Wich Explorer version is the best for using Grado headphones? How to know the meridian version?

 

[lmf22]

Wich Explorer version is the best for using Grado headphones? How to know the meridian version?

 
Currently, all Meridian Explorer is version 1. 
Version 2 has not been released yet. So version 2 may or may not be better for Grado headphones. We will not know until it is release and give time for people to try it out and compare both version.