Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Please Help me Get Into a Meridian Processor

I would echo the sentiment expressed here about the reliability of the 500 series, even though it is older. I have had a number of Meridian products, including 502, 518, 565, 508, 568, 598, G68, G98, 800, and 861. Other than sending units back for upgrades, I never had to have a repair done on any of the 500 series componenets. The same cannot be said for the G series or the 800 series.

Thanks so much to the members of the forum for all the responses. I'm impressed with the knowledge available here as well as the willingness of everyone to share their knowledge.

Thanks also for making me feel welcome as a new member and (future) Meridian owner.

David Lynch

I had a DC2, and then an MC1, went over to a 568.2 and loved the Meridian, the best way I can describe the sound is 'liquid'.
It beat the Lexicon on so many levels.
However I was a Lexicon fan and then tried a Lexicon MC8 Balanced, however straight away I knew it was a mistake and went back to another 568.2, and straight away I knew it was the right move.
That was around 7 years ago and I have not looked back, went to a G61r but back with a 568 and love it.

Thanks for the Lexicon comparison. It helped me realize that I am making the right move.

Does anyone have any input on how well the Meridian speakers compare to the Aerial Acoustics speakers? The center channel speaker performance is my main concern as that is the main speaker in a 5.1 set up.

How does the Proceed AVP2+6 stack up against the 568.2MM? Seems to be one of the best 2 and multichannel processors and still coveted much like the 568, even after all these years. I believe WelwynNick did a shootout comparing several different processors a few years back.

I too had a DC2 and was going to use it strictly as a surround piece along with an Audio Research LS3B. My mind changed when I went into Ambrosia and played the best CD player they had straight into the AR pre and compared it with the digital in to the Meridian as a preamp. This was on Aerial speakers by the way...8s or 10s--don't remember.

I bought the Meridian--a 568 version 1. I had it for years with a variety of speakers and loved it.

If you have any interest in the HD audio formats on blu-ray (which sound better) I would suggest a 568.2MM or one of the G series that allow connection of a modded piece or the HD621.

B.

I think it's still one of the widely-recognised great yardsticks, especially as a simple stereo pre-amp. It was the best stock processor I ever heard at the time, and hard to fault, but that was before I got any Meridian processors. I think I preferred it to the G68, especially with analogue inputs, but I've moved on a bit since then. I wouldn't have one now, but it was the one to beat.

Nick

I think if you are using an analogue input it can't be beat, I love them.

I also thought it sounded pretty good sending it digital and using it as a DAC as well as pre in stereo.
Would like to listen to one again now.

Newer processors are a step up IMHO.

I recommend G6xx series- they have much better processing capability (equivalent to 861v4) and you can get damn good deals on them (less than $2K USD).

Regards,
Kishore

I'm starting to second-guess myself and am thinking about upgrading my DC-1 to a MC-12 and just staying in the Lexicon Family.

I am 90-95% a HT guy at this time. A lot of the posts I have read seem to indicate that Lexicon may have the edge on the Meridian when it comes to strictly movies. The G series have reliability issues, the 800 series is out of my price range, and the 500 series is showing its age.

Any comments that might confirm my thoughts or sway me back towards Meridian? I am trying to like the Meridian Processors, but, I don't want to make any moves unless I can tell a definite upgrade from what I now have.

IMO unless analog performance was an important factor in the equation then I'd be looking elsewhere for an upgrade for the reasons you mentioned.

I've just gone back to my old Integra Research RDC7 processor using the 6 channel analog inputs in order to get the lossless HD codecs and couldn't be happier. The Oppo 83 is doing the conversion to LPCM onboard. I may eventually replace this with an SE.

The G68 was a little smoother, but I don't play music, only movies on this system, so I couldn't justify keeping it in my HT once the DSPs had departed. I really didn't want the thought of another PSU failure clouding my enjoyment any longer.

I found the MC8-B to lack the enveloping sound of the Meridian.
I could never get it to sound like a complete sound field in the same was as I got from the 568.2.

I also actually prefer the sound of the 568 over the G68, not massive amounts in it, but only ever bought a G series for more features.


However, I also found that the MC8 was a lot brighter sounding than my MC1, which was a real let down.