Meridian Sooloos User manual

System Setup Guide

Meridian Audio Ltd, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6YE, United Kingdom |www.meridian-audio.com 2
System Setup Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What You Should Have ......................................................................2
What Else You Will Need ....................................................................3
Equipment Location..........................................................................4
Installation and Testing.......................................................................5
Advanced System Configuration .............................................................7
Troubleshooting..............................................................................9
What You Should Have
Your Meridian Sooloos system should include the following components and accessories:
• 1Control10systemcontrollerwithLCDscreen(optional)
• 1ormoreSourceFiveorSourceOnenetworkedaudiorenderingdevices
• 1ormoreTwinStoredual-hard-drivenetworkedstoragedevices
• 1powersupplyforeachcomponent
• BoxofshortEthernetcablesandconnectors
TheControl10hasa17- inchtouchpanel(fromwhichyouoperatethesystem),aCD drive for
importing discs, an Ethernet port for communication with the rest of the system, a S/PDIF digital
audiooutput,aMeridianSpeakerlinkoutputandMeridiancommunicationsport.Ithasanexternal,
universal-voltage power supply.
The Source is the system’s communications hub and audio-output centre. It has a four-port
Ethernetswitch,andanexternaluniversal-voltagepowersupply.TheSourceOneisasingle-zone
audioserver,withonedigitaloutputandonestereopairofanalogueoutputs;theSourceFive
addsfourmoresetsofanalogueoutputsforuptovezones.MultipleSourcescanbeconnected
viaEthernettoallowovertwodozenzones.
The TwinStore has removable hard-drive bays to house two high-capacity hard drives that store
your music along with system information. The drives mirror one another, ensuring that all data is
automaticallyandcontinuouslybackedup.TheTwinStorehasanexternalpowersupplyandan
Ethernet port for communication with the rest of the system and the Internet.
Sooloos System Setup Guide:

Meridian Audio Ltd, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6YE, United Kingdom |www.meridian-audio.com 3
System Setup Guide
What Else You Will Need
Forthesystemtowork,youwillalsoneedthefollowing:
• ADHCP router connected to the Internet.
• AnEthernetcableconnectionfromtheroutertoyourSource.
• AstereoRCAor75-ohmcoaxialdigitalaudioorMeridianSpeakerlinkcabletoconnectyour
SourceorControltoyourpreamplier,preamp/processor,receiver,orMeridianspeaker.
• AnAC power outlet (preferably surge protected)for each component.
THE ROUTER
Sooloosisanetwork-basedsystemthatwillworkonlyifeverycomponenthasasolid,reliable
networkconnection.Thatmeansyouneedagood,andproperly-functioning,router.Tominimize
problems, we recommend the following:
• Avoid using a router supplied by your ISP (Internet service provider — cable company, telephone
company,etc.),aswehaveseencommonissueswiththem.
• Ifyouhaveanoldrouter,goaheadandgetanewone.It’saminorexpensethatcansaveyou
a lot of headaches.
• Foradditionalnetworkstability,youcanoptionallygive the Meridian Sooloos system its own
dedicatedroutertoisolateitfromtherestofthenetwork.Inthiscase,theSooloosrouterneeds
tohaveadifferentnetworkidthanthemainrouter,whichmayrequirerouterconguration.This
is discussed later in Advanced Configuration.
• Ifyouaregoingtocontrolthesystemfromwebbrowsersorexport/import files, the computers
that do so will need to be connected to the same router as the Meridian Sooloos system or
tooneofthenetworkportsontheSource.YoucanconnectMeridianSoolooscomponents
individually to the router, or just the Source to the router and the others to the Source, or any
combination.
• Connecting the Meridian Sooloos system to a wireless router means that wireless devices
thatconnectwirelesslytothisrouter–iPhones,iPodTouches,laptops,ordesktopcomputers
– can also communicate with, access, and control your Meridian Sooloos system.
CABLES
The Meridian Sooloos system comes with several Ethernet cables you can use to connect the
TwinStoreandtheControltotheSourceovershortdistances.TheyarettedwithNeutrikEtherCon
connectors, which provide a more secure physical attachment than ordinary RJ-45 connectors.
ThenetworkportsonthecomponentswillalsoacceptstandardRJ-45 plugs, however, and we
supplykitsforoptionalconversionofRJ-45toEtherConconnectorsonpre-madecables(see
separate sheet for assembly instructions or select “assembly instructions” at:
http://meridian-sooloos.com/r.php?p=ethercon).

Meridian Audio Ltd, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6YE, United Kingdom |www.meridian-audio.com 4
System Setup Guide
The most important consideration for any other Ethernet cables you use in setting up the system
is that they be in good physical condition. Worn or crimped cables can cause difficult to diagnose,
possiblyintermittent,networkproblems.Brokenlockingtabsmeanacablecaneasilyfallout.We
therefore suggest that you use new cables.
Analogueaudiocablesshouldbewell-shieldedandsturdy.Whilenothingexoticisrequired,you
should be aware that different cables may influence the sound: discuss recommendations with
yourretailer.Forthepurposesofsetup,ordinarycablesshouldworkne,andtheoutputsonthe
Sourcecandrivelengthsupto30m/100ftormorewithoutdifculty.Thelongertherun,however,
thegreatertheopportunityforinterferencepickup,especiallyhumfromnearbyAC wiring.
The S/PDIFdigitalaudioconnectionrequiresa75-ohmcoaxialcablethat,again,shouldbewell-
shieldedandsturdy.Anycoaxialcablesoldspecicallyforvideoordigitalaudioconnectionshould
workforsetup,but,again,discussdigitalcablequalityandpotentialinuenceonperformance
with your retailer. Do not use an ordinary analogue audio cable.DespitesimilarRCA plugs
and overall appearance, an analogue audio cable probably will not have the correct electrical
characteristics for digital audio, which can cause a degraded or failed connection.
MeridianSpeakerLinkconnectionstransmitastereoAESDigitalaudiosignalaswellasMeridian
communications signals on standard CAT5cable.Theycantransmitsignalsupto100m/300ft
and so are ideal for distributed audio applications.
POWER
Connect your Meridian Sooloos components’ power cords to a surge protector, power conditioner,
or uninterruptible power supply (UPS)toprotecttheequipmentfromvoltagespikesordrop-outs
on the AC line.
Equipment Location
Although you probably will find it convenient to put the Source near your main audio or A/V
system(or,inamultiroomsystem,withtheotheraudio-distributionhardware),MeridianSooloos
componentscangoanywhereawirednetworkconnectionisavailable,providedonlythattheyare
allconnectedtothesamerouter.TheTwinStore,forexample,whichgeneratesnoiseduetothe
fan and hard drive, can go in a closet, basement, or other location isolated from listening areas.
Just be sure the components are all in places that are well ventilated and not too hot, since the
Meridian Sooloos system is cooled primarily by convection to minimise fan noise.

Meridian Audio Ltd, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6YE, United Kingdom |www.meridian-audio.com 5
System Setup Guide
Installation and Testing
The best way to install your Meridian Sooloos system is in stages, beginning with the system
isolatedfromotherdevicesinyoursystemoronyournetwork.
INITIAL SETUP
1. Removethecomponentsfromtheirboxesandplacethemcloseenoughtogetherthatyoucan
connect the TwinStore and Control to the Source using the supplied cables.
2. Attach the IECpowercordtotheexternalpowersuppliesofthecomponents.Thenplugthe
multipinconnectorontheotherendintothematchingsocketonthebackofthecomponents.
3. Plug the power cords into surge-suppressed AC outlets.
4. If you are going to attach the system components directly to the same router that serves other
networkeddevicesinyourhome,itisagoodideatoturnallthosecomponentsofftoruleout
anybadnetworkinteractionduringinitialsetup.Itisalsoagoodideatoturntherouteroff,
then on again to allow it to reboot. If you are going to run the Meridian Sooloos system off a
dedicatedrouter,justmakesurethatitispoweredupandnotconnectedtoanythingelse.
5. ConnecttheTwinStoreandControltonetworkportsonthebackoftheSourceusingthe
supplied connectors. It does not matter which ports you use.
6. Use a standard Ethernet cable to connect a remaining port on the Source to one of the LAN
ports on the router. Be careful not to connect it to the WAN or Internet port.
7. IfyourTwinStorewassuppliedwithHardDrivesinstalled,proceedtothenextstep.Ifyour
Twinstore was supplied without Hard Drives installed, please visit the support section of
theSoolooswebsitetodownloadtheHardDriveInstallationandFormattingGuidebefore
proceedingtodoso.Afterinstallingandformattingthedrives,proceedtothenextstep.
8. Now turn on the components by rocking the power switch on the back of each one (the
orderdoesnotmatter).ThepilotLEDs on the TwinStore and Source should come on and the
Control screen should illuminate; after a few seconds, the Sooloos logo should come up on
thescreen.Ifanyofthisdoesnotoccur,checkthepowerconnectionsandtryagain.
9. You will eventually see the message “Touch Anywhere to Calibrate the Screen.” If this
messagedoesnotcomeupwithin2minutes,checkallEthernetconnectionsandthepower
totherouter;alsomakesurethattheSourceisconnectedtoaLAN port on the router, not
its WANorInternetport.Oncethemessageappears,tapthescreenandfollowtheresulting
directions.
10.The system will continue loading, and after a while a screen will come up with Home Page.
Tap Settings,andthentapDevices.Thiswillbringupawarning.TapContinue.
11.That will bring up the Devices panel listing information about the components in your system.
You should see entries for the Ensemble and Control. If you do not see all of your Meridian
Sooloos components in the list, check all network and power connections, refer to the
troubleshooting section of this guide.
12.OnceyouseeallyourcomponentslistedontheSystemCongurationscreen,youareready
to complete your installation.

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System Setup Guide
TEST CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET
1. When you see all of the Meridian Sooloos components listed, tap Test Internet at the bottom
of the Devices panel.You should almost immediately get a message that the system has
connected successfully with the Sooloos server via the Internet. If you don’t get that message,
youhaveanetworkproblembetweentherouterandyourcable/DSL modem that needs to be
resolved.
2. Return to the Home page
3. Tap the Music button at the left to open the cover browser.
IMPORT A CD
1. InsertaCDintothediscslotatthebaseoftheControl.(BecarefulofhomemadeCDswith
unusuallythickorpoorlyappliedlabels,whichcouldgetstuckinthedrive.Ifadiscgetsstuck,
rockthepowerswitchontheControloffandthenonagaintorestartit,andthediscwilleject
asitreboots.)
2. Thediscwillspinup,andthesystemwilldisplayamessagethatitisidentifyingtheCD.
3. OnceithasidentiedtheCD,thesystemwilldisplayitsmetadata,whichyoucaneditonthe
screenifyoulike.
4. When you are satisfied with the metadata, tap the Continue button at the bottom right of the
window.(PressingtheCancelbuttonwillaborttheimportandejectthedisc.)
5. The systemwill displayasetofimport-progress windows. A brandnewor verycleanCD
willtypicallytake5to7minutestoimport.Themorescuffs,scratches,ordirtonthedisc
surface,thelongertheimportwilltake,astheimportingsoftwareworkstoextractthedataas
accurately as possible.
6. Whentheimportisnished,theControlwillejecttheCDanddisplayamessagethatitis
transferringthedatatotheTwinStore,whichwilltakeaminuteortwo.
7. The system will open the information screen for the album you just imported.
Note: Because the graphics display and importing processes are both very processor-intensive,
system navigation on the Control suspends during CD import to ensure stability and accuracy.
The system can be controlled during import by pointing any web browser on any computer, iPod
Touch,oriPhoneonthenetworktohttp://my.sooloos.com/xxxxxxxxx,wherethex’srepresentthe
serial number of your Source component. This serial number can be found on the Devices page
of your Control. CDs can also be imported through the Control PC or Control Mac applications
fromcomputersonthesamenetworkasyourSystem,leavingyourControlfreeforyoutonavigate
your collection.
ThedownloadlinktoControlPC or Control Mac can be found in the import tab of the web control
interface.

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System Setup Guide
CONNECT TO YOUR AUDIO SYSTEM
You’re almost done.
1. Makesureyouraudiosystem’spreamplier,preamp/processor,orreceiveristurnedoff.(Never
makeorbreakaudioconnectionswiththeaudiosystemlive.)
2. ConnecttheZone1LeftandRightaudiooutputsontheSourcetoanunusedinputonyour
preamplier,preamp/processor,orreceiver.Ifyouaremakingananalogueconnection,youwill
need an ordinary pair of RCAaudiocables.ForadigitalconnectionfromeithertheSource
orControl,youwillneedasingle75-ohmdigitalcoaxialcablewithRCA plugs at each end.
(See “What Else You Will Need: Cables,” page 3.)ForaSpeakerlinkconnectiontoMeridian
Speakerlinkenableddevice,youwillneedaCat5Ecable.
Note: If using a zone on the Control 10, you will need to use the Quick Zone Selection, which
appears at the bottom of the Browse Music window. The Control 10 will be listed as a zone.
Tapping it will highlight it and select it.
3. Turn the audio system on and select the input connected to the Meridian Sooloos system.
4. GototheSooloosmusicbrowserandtapanalbumcover.
5. Tap a song
6. Tap play now
7. Turn up the volume, and you should hear music.
Advanced System Configuration
Tapping SettingsontheSooloosHomescreenopenswindowwithmanyoptions.OneisDevices.
Tapthisbutton.BesidestheTest Internet function described on page 6, this window provides
advanced setup options that enable you to update the system software, set IP addresses for the
components,andsetdevicepriorities.Itisunlikelythatyouwillneedtouseanyofthese,and
someofthemyoushouldavoidexceptinhighlyunusualcircumstances.Inallcases,approach
these controls with caution.
UPDATE SYSTEM
Press the Update System button to force a system software update. This will bring up a warning
message. If you tap Continue, the system will connect with the Sooloos server via the Internet,
thendownloadandinstallnewsystemsoftwareifanyisavailable.Otherwise,thesystemchecks
for updates and downloads them automatically. When an update is available, you will be notified
in the Messages screen on the Home page.
IP ADDRESS CONFIGURATION
Meridian Sooloos components are shipped from the factory set to obtain IPaddresses automatically
from a router via DHCP (DynamicHostCongurationProtocol).Ifnecessary,youcanusethe
DeviceCongurationfacilityintheControlDeviceManagertoturnoffDHCP and assign static
IP addresses. However, unless you have consistent problems, we recommend that you not do so.

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System Setup Guide
It is never a good idea to turn off DHCP for Meridian Sooloos components and manually
assign static IP addresses unless you fully understand networking and IP Addressing.
If you must change an IP address setting, do the following:
1. TaptherequireddeviceintheDeviceswindow
2. Taptode-select“DHCP”inthewindowtorevealIPaddressboxes.
3. Entertherequiredvaluesusingthekeypad.
4. When you’ve completed all the fields, tap the Apply Changes button.
DEVICE PRIORITIES WITH MULTIPLE SOURCES
Every system must have only one Primary Source. All Meridian Sooloos Sources default to being
Primary.InalargemultizonesystemwithmultipleSources,oneSourceisPrimaryandtheothers
must be set as secondary. To set a Source as primary or secondary, tap its information line in the
DeviceswindowtobringuptheDeviceCongurationwindow.Taptheboxnextto“IsPrimary
Source?”tomarkorclearit.ThentaptheApply Changes button at the bottom of the window.
The System Configuration window will return with the line for the just-modified Source missing; it
will reappear with its new setting in a minute or two.
USING A SEPARATE ROUTER
For additional system stability, you can connect your Meridian Sooloos system to a separate
router instead of simply using a switch. In this case, however, you need to be careful to assign
theSooloosroutertoadifferentnetworkaddressblocktothatofthemainrouter.Forexample,
ifthemainnetworkhasaddressesoftheform192.168.1.x,thentheSooloosrouterwouldhave
to be set to anything but192.168.1.x:forexample,192.168.2.x.Thisiscarriedoutintherouter’s
configuration settings.
HARD DRIVE BACKUP
TwinStoresbackupyourmusicautomatically.Buttoavoidcatastrophiclossofyourcollection
byre, water,or electricaldamage,creatinganoffsitebackupiswise,especiallywithalarge
collection.
1. Connect a computer, either PC or Mac, to the same network as your Meridian Sooloos
System.
2. Openanywebbrowser
3. Type http://my.sooloos.com/xxxxxxxxx in the URL eld, where the x’s represent the serial
number of your Source component. This serial number can be found on the settings page of
your Control.
4. Underthe“ExportMusic”tabyouwillndlinkstodownloadControlPCorControlMac
5. Download,install,andrunControlPCorControlMac
6. Gotothe“ExportMusic”tab
7. Selectthelestobackup
8. Tap“RunBackup”
9. Selectadrivetobackupto
10.Clickon“RunBackup”

Meridian Audio Ltd, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6YE, United Kingdom |www.meridian-audio.com 9
System Setup Guide
Troubleshooting
Almost all problems with Meridian Sooloossystemsturnouttobeduetonetworkissuesrather
than with the components themselves. The most common symptom is a prominent, persistent
“SearchingNetworkforSystemCore”or“SearchingNetworkforStorage”messagethatdoesn’t
go away after a couple of minutes. It means that the Control cannot locate the other component,
either because a connection has failed or because the router has not assigned IP addresses to
oneormorecomponents.Herearesomestepsyoucantaketoisolateandresolvetheissue:
1. Checkallcablesandconnections.Youcanwastehourschasinggremlinswhiletheproblem
allalongisjustacrimped,broken,ordetachedcable.
2. Turn off all Meridian Sooloos components.
3. Resetyourrouter(disconnectthepowerfor10or15seconds,thenplugitbackin).
4. Wait1minute,thenturnontheMeridianSooloosdevices.
5. Wait for the descending beep sequence.
6. If after several minutes you do not hear any beeps, contact Meridian Sooloos.
7. If you do hear the beeps, turn on the Control.
8. When it reaches the Home screen, tap Settings, then Devices then Continue in the warning
dialog.
9. You should now see your Meridian Sooloos components listed in the System Configuration
window, with their serial numbers, IP addresses, version numbers, etc.
IF YOU DO NOT SEE Any DEVICES
Itislikelythat the Control has not been assigned an IP address via DHCP and cannot see the
other components, or none of the components have received an IP address. Test as follows:
1. ChecktheconnectionbetweentheSourceandControl.
2. If the connection is good, reboot the Control by turning it off and back on and return to
Devices.
3. Ifdevicesarestillmissing,turnoffallthecomponentsbyrockingtheirpowerswitches.
4. Restart your router and wait one minute.
5. TurnallthecomponentsbackonandgotoDevices.
6. If devices are still missing from Devices,checkallconnectionsagain,repeattheprocedure,
and call Meridian Sooloos if the problem persists.

Meridian Audio Ltd, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6YE, United Kingdom |www.meridian-audio.com 10
System Setup Guide
IF YOU DO NOT SEE Some DEVICES
The components not in the list probably have not been assigned IP addresses via DHCP.
Proceed as follows:
1. Check the connections between the unlisted components and the Source. Replace any
suspect cables.
2. TurnoffallMeridianSoolooscomponentsbyrockingtheirpowerswitches.
3. Restart your router and wait one minute
4. TurnalloftheMeridianSoolooscomponentsbackonandreturntoDevices.
5. Ifsomecomponentsarestillmissingfrom thelist,check all connectionsagain,repeatthe
procedure, and contact Meridian Sooloos if the problem persists.
CONTACTING MERIDIAN SOOLOOS TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Web contact form: visit http://www.meridian-audio.com and choose “Contact Us” from the “About
Us” menu.
Phone: UK/International:+44(0)1480445678.USA:+14043447111
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