Thanks. I'll get to my local dealer sometime soon and will try and run tests on all the Meridian Surround Systems they have in stock. (They probably think I'm just a tyre kicker, long hair, 80s mo' and in my retirement summer outfit - shorts, sandals and T-shirt)
Can you please confirm whether the Meridian Signature System could 'see' your flac files, but not play them in surround? Or just not play them at all? Did you try a range of FLAC sample/bit depths?
According to the website..you won't have to test the entry level Meridian...the one rated at 380 watts as it's listed as just a "sound system"...not a surround system...the other models are listed as "surround" systems...and the one you tested is the 825 watt system(when this one is in the convertible model it's rated at 660 watts)...and the MONDO surround system with 29 speakers and 1700 watts on the top of the line models..