Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 568 to G68 need some true info..

Hello im new to this forum and need some much needed help from people who own a Meridian product not someone trying to sell me one. Is there a sonic differance between the 2 units,is there a slight differance a big differance, can I connect my I170 iPod transport to it, will the g68 work better with the wadia or should i use a DAC then connect it to the g68. Is there a sonic differance between the g68d or the g68adx and so on. Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond.

I have not compared the two, but the G68 is newer and should be better.

I would forget about the external DAC because you will start with a digital signal inside the Wadia, convert it to analog externally, then convert it back to digital inside the G68. These conversions are redundant. They just bring your signal back to what it was in the first place before making the conversions. All you will do is burn power and take up space. And there is a chance that you may degrade your signal. You are better off with a digital signal all the way through.

The Wadia iPod Transport will connect directly to your G68 and it should sound awesome.

Thanks Axel.

In my opinion a g68 is a 568 with a boat load of connections and room correction.

Don't even consider either if you are thinking of adding a different DAC.

I've owned both as well as an 861v4.

If you are hooking up to analog the more balanced outputs the better. 568 is limited to 3 and depending on g68 model you get none or 8. That will make largest difference.

George since u have owend both is there any sonic differences is one warmer more transparent ext ext. since u also had a 861 is that unit any better then the other 2. I listen to a bit of 2 channel so sound quality is much more important then inputs. thanks

If you listen to 2-channel and your options are open, consider DSP speakers. They contain preamp, amp, and speakers all in 1 cabinet. You may connect your Wadia iPod dock directly to the DSP speakers. The Wadia will reduce jitter, so you should have a reference level digital signal. Connect that to DSP speaker and you won't be able to ask for much better. The money you may spend on G68 could buy your DSP speakers. And you will have an excellent sound right away without having to tweak an analog system for years!

Actually the Wadia was tests in Stereophile (I think it was) and has a very high jitter output, not "reference level digital signal" at all, alas. Still a useful thing though, with a good input like the Meridian ones.

As for 568 vs G68, another thing not yet mentioned is that the G68, being a current model, is likely to benefit from a longer period of support than the "obsolete" model - in theory at least. This may not bother some people, but it may also be a factor for some others.

There are also 3 versions of the 568.
Which one are you looking at?

Steve.

I've owned 565, 568, 568.2mm and G68adv. System was 3x dsp33 at front and 2x m33 for rears and a d1500 sub ie small Meridian digital theatre.

My comments are:
there are sonic differences between 568 and 568.2.
There are sonic differences between 568.2 pre v2.5 firmware and v2.5 firmware. Latter is more G series in operation and a little more transparent.
There are sonic differences between 568.2(mm) and g68.. IMHO g68 is more transparent (over pre v2.5 568.2 firmware never tested v2.5) but not quite as smooth, but it's subtle and both are musical and listenable for ages.
568.2mm is a 568.2 plus the 6 channel smartlink input option - ie for use with M DVD players with smartlink output (specifically DVD-A) or the HD621 HDMI processor for connecting HDMI sources digitally to Meridian kit. Apart from multichannel input benefits, sonically 568.2 and mm are same.
G68 is much bigger box, has more inputs, including multichannel analogue in and has mrc. Being newer it is more likely to benefit from future Meridian firmware updates than 500 series. Is apodising filters.
Lots of different versions of g68 to consider fewer options with 568.
G61r is g68 in smaller box but less options
G61 is effectively a 568.2mm v2.5 in bigger box with more inputs and less outputs - no xlr
G61r is not a G61+mrc.

Presumably, the 2010 G61R and G68 are quite different beasts to the previous versions: apodising filter and redesigned digital input for starters, and the fully-balanced digital operation when used with Speakerlink DSPs.... (this is at least from looking at the new data sheets).

I'd have been thrilled if M had done a G68 with the legacy analogue video ditched in favour of unbalanced analogue on phonos (to go alongside the balanced connections on XLR) - one processor to grow through any power amp changes and completely ready for DSPs when the need/desire/funds arise.

I have owned the 568.2 (three times now! ) in both pre and post v2.5 and now have a G61R.


The v2.5 firmware mode the 568 sound a little more open, still seriously smooth sounding, but definitely more open.

The G61r sounds pretty much the same as the v2.5 568, the 568 is definitely slightly smoother, not much at all but it is, and due to that the G61r seems a little more open and airy, that is with analogue, didn't compare them with DSP speakers.



I would agree with the above, if you are just two channel buy a pair of DSP speakers, you don't need a controller in there.

It might be beneficial if you have problems with your room and need room correction. It may make it easier if you have loads of inputs but doesn't add anything sound wise really.
I guess when apodising is added it may be an advantage to add a G68/G61, and for that reason they may be preferable above and beyond a 568 as well.

What amp and speakers are you using??

I have 2 pairs 803s for home theater and signature sevens powered by audio reserch.