Airport express to Meridian F80 - any thoughts?

[ells109]

I'm looking for the best 3.5mm jack to connect my Meridian to my Apple airport express, I recently put in a QED cable I used for the iPod in the car and noticed remarkable improvements in dynamics and control, really didnt expect that considering the source was the airport express! Now I want recomnendations on what 3.5mm cable to buy for the set up. Anyone experienced a top end cable like a Black Rhodium?

 

[Paul.]

Your f80 has an optical input I think? If you use an optical connector from your airport express, you will bypass the dac in the airport and use the superior dac in your meridian

 

[ells109]

Thanks Paul, I'll give that a whirl

 

[CnoEvil]

Your f80 has an optical input I think? If you use an optical connector from your airport express, you will bypass the dac in the airport and use the superior dac in your meridian

Hi Ells109

Above is the best option, but failing that, Russ Andrews GQ-24.

The F80 is a great sounding, stylish bit of kit - was very impressed when I heard it.

Cno

 

[ells109]

An update - I bought a True Colours Industries Coral optical lead and 2 Toslink mini adaptors to convert the ends to mini toslink from 3.5mm to fit the input in the airport express and the optical in on the Meridian. Use the Aux/optical selector on the front of the Meridian to listen. Et voila!

There's an immediate difference, the soundstage improves as well as dynamics, the F80 starts to acts like a true high end system, taking a firm grip on the sound. It's now very difficult to distinguish streamed music from a loaded CD. At £40 a great value improvement.

There's very little else to upgrade, the only thing left may be the power lead but I'm struggling to find an alternative, the Meridian power lead has quite a unique shape, anybody know where to get one?

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm glad you are getting the most out of your F80; as for a power lead, you could try giving Darren at Clearer Audio a ring.......he's knowledgeable and helpful, and if there is a solution, he will probably know what it is. They do a trial period, so if it makes no difference then send it back for a refund.

 

[Anonymous]

Ells,

Could you help me through this process? I need help choosing an adapter and connecting the airport express. I can't wait to stream music through my F80! I didn't realize until lately that this was possible.

Mike

 

[ells109]

Hi Mike, you still looking to go wifi? I stream almost all my music via AirPlay from my iMac. The music is picked up by my airport express ( Made by Apple) then I use an optical digital cable to the F80. You will need a converter on one end to change the connection from the optical to a 3.5mm to plug it into the express. Let me know if youre still struggling, I hope you may have found the answer by now! ells