Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Guidance on G68 vs 271 + 3rd party processor

Before I spend money to fix my G68, I want to get input on upgrading to a 271 and separate surround processor like the Arcam AV40 (can't afford a Trinnov or other with digital connect)... anyone got any experience of both setups and the migration between? I'd hate to spend the money if it does not clearly sound better...

I know it would allow me to add height speakers in the ceiling, but that would come as phase 2. I'd keep my current Meridian speakers (DSP5000's at the front, DSP33s rear and side). So like for like, stick with the G68 or upgrade to a 271+processor?

Any thoughts or guidance is really appreciated...

Andy

I could be wrong here but I think the 271 is SpeakerLink out to speakers and would require additional hardware like the Reviver to connect to legacy equipment pushing the cost up.

Hi,

The 271 allows you to add an Atmos processor but isn’t a processor in itself, so you’d need to replace the G68 and buy another processor plus the 271.

Brian

You would need a surround processor to replace the G68. Then you would need a 271 plus a Reviver/AC12 for every pair of DSP speakers that you plan to use.

There have been serious issues with many new Atmos processors this year (Arcam included) Lyngdorf seems to have been immune to this but availability has been an issue.
Newer processors also allow you to skip the HS621 or UHD722. I think the Lyngdorf MP60 is the most affordable processor offering digital outputs.

Yes, I recognize that I will need a 271, (4?) AC12 and a new processor (thinking Arcam AV40). I'd set that up as a 7 speaker config initially using the current DSP speakers.

Just want to get any feedback on whether it sounds better than my current G68 / 722 setup. It should give me proper rear/side channels for a start. But does the digital to analogue to digital to analogue cause issues. Even a Lyngdorf is outside budget for now... phase 3

Of course, I can simply fix my G68 PSU and stay where I am... Just after thoughts.

Thanks

Whether or not it sounds better will be up to you in the end. Do I think a new Arcam AV40 sounds better than a older G68? Yes in many ways it can as the Arcam would do many things the G68 would not. I would not let the extra digital conversions bother me much.

I have had a number of issues with my AV40 which would prevent me from recommending anything to do with Arcam.

Issues aside, and solely focussing on sound quality, I came from a G61RSL/HD261 combination and went to an AV40 with the 271 and with regards to movies the AV40 isn't quite as good but not a million miles off if lacking somewhat in soundstage and presence. For music I find the Arcam absolutely terrible when compared to the Meridian. Fortunately I can bypass it with an MS600 for 2 channel sources but honestly it isn't even close and the Arcam is quite frankly embarrassing when compared to either the G61 or the MS600. I note that whenever I come across people extoling the sound quality of the Arcam they almost always seem to be coming from the mid to low ranges of brands like Denon and Marantz and not even from their higher end units.

Honestly if you aren't using higher channel counts than 5.1/7.1 I think you will strongly regret moving away from Meridian. If you do want the immersive formats and have something like a 218 for music then the move might well be worth it. I know that you mentioned a Trinnov is aspirational at this stage but personally if I were to do it again I would have stuck with a 7.1 Meridian setup and be saving for the Trinnov. The Arcam has failed as a stopgap for me and perversely has put me financially further away from the Trinnov then when I started.

I had a similar situation. My G61R had a PSU issue a while ago. Thought about the arcam route, but actually dont need atmos. (By need, I mean, dont want to drill holes in my ceiling everywhere for height channels).
So I went for a G65. This is a very nice bit of kit, and a significant boost in sound quality over the G61R (which I hadnt really expected). It just works and Im very happy.
Cheers
Greg

Hi all

I think that maybe one of the areas that is overlooked is the fact that most G68's are probably at least 10 years old, mine was new in 2005, and frankly are probably not performing at their best.

A change of power supply and replacing the capacitors will restore the performance, it might even be better than the original factory spec. That along with servicing the speakers, DSP in particular, will again restore their performance. These are relatively cheap options, depending who under takes the work, and if the performance is still not up to your requirements, the units will be easier to sell on.

They also need to be set up correctly, G68's have room correction and the DSP's have the ability to be programmed to reflect their positioning.

Whilst I appreciate the newer formats, I not sure I feel the necessity/value for money to move beyond the capabilities of the G61R/G68; I haven't got any experience with the G65, but assume it is an improvement on older models.

Money no object, I would go for a Trinnov but sadly I am no longer in the market for £15/20k+ processors.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers

Jon

Interesting thoughts, thanks. I don’t really plan to go for more than 7.1 at the moment. My cinema room is a big double height room (we live in a barn conversion) so I’m not sure height speakers that far up would be the easiest to set up right anyway…

I would like to get true 7 channel support though. The G68 being 5 in, 7 out. Had not thought about a G65… gives me the true 7 channels and digital in from the existing 722. Think it still supports the old DIN comms, so avoids AC12s? Hmmm decisions…

I rarely listen to music in the cinema room, I have a separate pair of DSP5200s I directly stream audio into from a BlueSound Node via Roon or Amazon MusicHD. Would love thoughts on improving that…

So what other improvement should I look at? Any tweaks for the speakers (DSP5000s, DSP33s in the cinema, DSP5200s in the music room). Simply servicing? I already had everything upgraded to 24/96 ages back.

Really appreciate the thoughts…

Yes the G65 supports DIN comms but all the digital outs are via speakerlink so you will still need 4 AC12 or revivers.

Hi Andy,

I would look carefully at what it would cost to fix your G68. Depending on the cost, it may be beyond economic repair, and you would just be better off getting a replacement.

When my G68 went, I decided to replace it with an 861v4 with the LPS, so maybe the 861v4 could be an option for you? Long term, I would eventually like to get a JBL Synthesis processor, but am waiting (and hoping) someone can figure out how to make use of their Dante digital out protocol. In the meantime, the 861 is a great processor.

Regarding upgrades for your speakers, you can have the amp boards re-capped. For music/streaming, the 818v3 is really superb and one of my best purchases.

Best,
John