Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Upgrade time - advice on direction to go...

My current system is detailed below

Sources
Sky+ HD
PS3
HDX1000 - same as PCH-110 (though I`m now happily streaming through the PS3)
Squeezebox Duet (I have a Squeezebox Touch sat in my office at present still boxed!)
Onkyo iPod Dock - Digital Out beast


Processor/Amps
Meridian 568.2 non-MM
Meridian 558
Meridian 421 HDMI switch
ANO cheapo HDMI splitter

Speakers (4.0)
2 x Shahinian Obelisks (Front)
2 x Shahinian Arcs (Surround)

(I have an option at present to buy another pair of Obelisks, and I have a friend who wants to split them with me, and therefore I could have an Obelisk centre shortly)

Display
Sony 32”LCD - want to replace this with a 46”/50” Plasma
Infocus IN80

Control
Variety of Remotes
Logitech Harmony 785


I have about �8000 to spend (very happy to buy s/h or ex-demo), of which approx �1K needs to be spent on the structure of the room and the only definite is that I want to replace the TV with a 46/50in plasma (Panasonic 50V20 looking favourite at present). I also want to replace the PJ screen with either a fixed one or a tabbed electric as the existing manual screen is starting to fold on the edges.

At present 90% of our viewing is through Sky (a lot of HD movies with DD), 5% through Blue-Ray or streamed DVDs from my server and 5% 2 channel audio. Given this would moving a newer processor and/or HD621 be of much benefit???

DSP speakers are obviously a consideration, especially as I could get �3K for my existing setup and sell the 558, but I really do like the Shahinians.

It is likely that I can sneak in further annual upgrades but these would be more limited in possible expediture, unless my clients get very generous.

So I'm opening up to fellow hitchikers for advice on possible upgrade paths.

Mr Perceptive

FWIW here is my two pennyworth:

1. The centre speaker will make the biggest difference to your system and is a "must buy".

2. Go for a S/H G68XXV and run balanced analogue out to your amps.

3. Get a HD621 as this allows for high res. audio from the BDs for the future.

Hope this is useful!

Stick with these, get a G68 that has balanced outputs (XXVor SL).
If you're not to bothered by hi-res formats on Bluray, stick with the 568.2.

That didn't really spend much of your budget though...

Thanks for the feedback.

I think that a centre is high up on the shopping list, I have tried before but can't get other brands of speakers to work with the Shahinians, and Shahinian don't make a centre, so splittinmg a pair of Obelisks looks like a good bet. Just a little concerned how 3 omnidirectional speakers up front will sound!?

I have just read the past 5 years of posts regarding balanced outpouts in non-DSP system and thay looks a good way to go.

However I still have this would 12K spend on DSP speakers (my budget and sale prices) reap more rewards. I could get a pair of 7000's a 5500HC or 5200HC and a pair of 5200's all s/h or ex-demo and still have change!

Really not sure about the HD621, as the amount of BD spinning we do is fairly small.

Mr Perceptive

Suggest you email Shahinian and ask them their advice re a center. These are unusual speakers and your current phantom center might be ideal.

Replacing your Arcs with Obelisks might provide a significant upgrade. I like the symmetry of identical fronts and backs.

A dedicated subwoofer or two is worthy of consideration.

George #3

CGA

Thanks, Shahinian used to make a Hawk top module available as a centre but they don't anymore. I have a friend with one, along with Diapasons and Compasses!

Subs are a real problem with Shahinians, I've tried three different ones and none of them could I get to integrate well. Shahinians despite their size generate amazing deep bass (transmission line and passive radiator)

I will email Shahinian though but past experience says that I will get a response in about two weeks! Email isn't really their thing!

Mr Perceptive

Hi Mr P,

My sources are different to yours in that I mainly listen to CD's and watch DVD's, yes I still have to get up to change them over, but if it helps I can describe my upgrade experience.

Over the last four years, or so, I had upgraded from a completely TAG set up (excluding speakers)to an all Meridian installation.

I got to the stage where I had a G98, 602, G68ADV, and a 558.
The one constant had been my beloved Mordaunt Short Performance 860s fronts which I have used for the last 15 years.
I was very pleased with my set up until I went to HH2 and until I had the 8000 experience.

So with great reluctance I moved away from my 860s and bought a pair of 5200s (many thanks Carl) and a 5200HC.
Performance wise it was a major improvement!
I must admit that I was very sceptical regarding the benefits of the DSP route, but I'm now converted, especially when they are sent 88k or 96k imput.

The Shahinians have an excellent reputation and I can fully understand your loyalty to them, but I would suggest auditioning some Meridian DSP speakers especially if you can get a dealer to let you listen to them in your home.

Regards

Harry

First things first, get your SB Touch into your main system. They do sound better than the SB3/Duet, even via SPDIF. Most importantly, it'll cost you nothing.

For me, it would then be depedant upon whether I wanted to improve music, or AV. For AV, try to swap your existing 568.2 for a 568.2mm, then save your pennies for a HD621.
For music, get yourself a TeddyPardo PSU for your SB Touch. Everything I've read suggests that they're definitely worth the cost, and it's now top of my list of next bit of hardware to buy.

I was using Dunlavey Audio Labs which are so different to everything else out there, they are time aligned and make everything else out there sound....well....sloppy.

I was very reluctant to move to DSP speakers, my first impression of them was not good, it was a pair of 33's with no sub in a store with no solid walls and they sounded a bit too lively for my liking.

However, after hearing a pair of 5200s again in the same store, I was pretty impressed with them, so much so I decided to make the move.

I am so glad I did, I bought 5000s, and they have an openness that belies their size and construction, and a warmth that makes them something I can listen to for 18 hours a day. Now, that warmth does come from a slightly over blown mid bass, but at the same time they never feel sluggish and at the thing that really impresses me is how the sound the same at all volumes, obviously there are better dynamics as you crank them up, but being DSP they sound as warm and weighty playing low as they do at 0-db, which for someone who listens alot between 10pm and 2am is a godsend.

I would seriously consider the speakers before anything else, I have yet to meet anyone who has gone DSP and gone back to regular speakers.
Also, once I went DSP I stopped looking at what to change next, obviously the next step up speaker wise would be nice, but for the first time ever I was completely happy with my system and started to spend money on Music again, not kit.

mr. p: save your money wait patiently and go for a pair of used/demo 8Ks. let the rest follow from there. imnsho.

Great suggestions there guys.

Harryp, I agree about the 8000 experience at HH2, Bob said you need 1000W to replicate the Pink Floyd on a passive system. At the time I was running bridged 559s (at over 1Kw) into my Shahinians, I played the same track the next day at similar volumes to those at HH2 and was completely blown away by my systems capabilities. I have since sold the 559's as with mainly AV use I found the 558 more than adequate.

Apart from the 8000's (good idea Dr.Bill) I never really got on with the DSP speakers, I have heard just about all the variants at one time or another. I find them just a little too smooth for my tastes. I am a big fan of teh Shahinians (and their Omnidirectionalness..as that a word?) though Mr Stuart isn't a fan of Omnidirectionals, what they don't do is pinpoint imaging, but do produce great music, with a very wide sweetspot.

Mr Sukebe, you are right about the Touch, I've just been idle as it's a pre-ordered one from Logitech and has been sat in my office unboxed for several months. I've had all 3 variants of the 568 at one time or another and had to sell the MM one a few years ago as I was short of a few ����'s. But I have just done a deal on a G68-XXV so in a couple of weeks I will have that. Which preclude DSP speakers in the short term.

gizzE, good points, but there are very few people who have Shahinians and then move onto something else.

dr.bill, saving usually isn't my strong point, I like new toys!

Mr Perceptive

OK some progress....

Done a deal on another pair of Obelisks, which I'm going to split with a friend (who after hearing my system has just gone out and bought a 568.2MM), so we can effectively each gain a centre speaker, amazingly the pair I've just done the deal on is within 30 serial numbers (and the same finish!) of my existing pair so it should be a really good match.

Also done a dela with a fellow hiker for a G68XXV, I thought long and hard about an 861v4 v G68, but in the end plumped for the G68 as it offers a lot more input flexibility without going to any additional expense. Also it also leaves a space in the budget for an HD621.

I've just taken the Touch out of it's box, but I'm now wondering about the Transporter offer that Logitech are offering, best get the Touch up and running first.

I'll keep you posted on how it all develops

Mr Perceptive