Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DVD Player alternatives to 800v4

Hi all ,

After having lived with my 800v4 for a while, and through .. I think about 3 drive replacements, last night (yet again ..) while watching a DVD with guests, the player started skipping towards the end of the movie basically rendering the movie unwatchable.

I have had enough.

I just don't think it's worth sinking another X hundred pounds into yet another DVS drive destined to fail again in probably 6 months.

I want to seek out an alternative DVD player.

Has anyone moved from an 800v4 to something else, that sounds as good for Redbook CD and DVD playback?

I'm thinking Esoteric DV-60, Linn Unidisk 1.1(although no HDMI is bad).

Anyone?

Thanks

Andrew

It seems odd that disc drives fail after a matter of months but I completely understand your frustrations.

I know it isn't a direct answer to your question but would you consider splitting duties; buy a dedicated CD player and a separate video-disc player?

Thanks Not'arf.

My 800v4 still plays redbook CD's fine (so, it would seem the dedicated CD laser is ok) - just that the DVD laser has gone.

- Does anyone know whether you can buy new laser-assemblies for Meridian 800v4? I'm just thinking "outside the box" that, rather than continually find new entire DVS drives, perhaps it is just a new laser-assembly that is required, although I confess I'm not sure where to buy one/how to install.

But in answer to your question:

Yes, two separate boxes would be a possibility but, ideally it would be great to just have 1 box providing the best of both worlds - 2-ch CD playback and DVD 5.1 movie playback to equal a Meridian 800v4 (transport. ie, regardless, whatever I purchase will connect to my 861v8).

My only other question is, noting Meridian 800 assumingly is the only player that connects to my 861v8 via 6-digital coax outputs (1/2 = L/R, 3-4=Centre/Sub, 5/6 = Rears), how do other players (Esoteric, Linn Oppo etc) as transports actually output a signal for 5.1 DVD? Via a single (1) coax or, HDMI or, both?

Thanks.

Andrew

My initial thought was that the video & audio side of AV discs has moved on so far from the relatively modest abilities of DVD that you're really missing out on the latest tech. I only recently bought a 4K projector so I'm new to the world of 4K discs but I'd say there's a as big an uptick between Bluray & 4K Bluray as there is between DVD & 1080p Bluray. Not to mention the move to object-based audio. Now you might well not want to move to object based audio but you appear to have some quite serious kit that could really breathe when fed with higher resolution formats. But you know that already and perhaps you prefer the sound from your 800 on DVD & are happy to accept the 'compromise' on the video side of things.

I used to have a Denon DVD-2500BT Transport which I only sold on when I replaced it with an Oppo 203 for it's 4K capability.

It only has a single HDMI output and I was very happy with it. Lovely build quality & performance and available used in the UK for £100 to £175 these days and will be 220V model which suits you in Australia.

Might be a cheap alternative to tide you over and you might decide do I need to spend more?!

Colin,

Thanks mate

Silly question, are you referring to the Denon, or Oppo, with your comments below?

This aside, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Oppo.

To be honest, although my budget isn't endless, I'm willing to go with something like an Oppo, Esoteric, or even a Linn.

- I assume either way, this means I will be going from:

a). 800v4's six (6) digital coax cables into 861v8, to:
b). HDMI "out" into HD621 (if I choose a newer player) for 5.1 DVD movies?

Or is it possible to get 5.1 sound out of the Esoteric/Oppo's etc just using their coax output?

Thanks!

Andrew

My comments refer to the Denon, my suggestion is on the basis of providing you with high quality DVD and CD capability that you referred to in your original post.

The Denon HDMI would need to go into the HD621 for DVD and CD.

The Oppo 203 has multiple output options, listed below:

Rear Panel Connectors

1. Gigabit Ethernet LAN Port
2. HDMI Output (Main)
3. HDMI Output (Audio Only)
4. HDMI Input
5. Optical Digital Audio Output
6. Coaxial Digital Audio Output
7. USB 3.0 Input
8. USB 3.0 Input
9. RS-232C Serial Control Port
10. Trigger Output
11. Trigger Input
12. IR (Infrared) Sensor
13. 7.1CH / 5.1CH / Stereo Analog
Audio Output
14. AC Power Inlet
The AC power inlet is the IEC60-320 C14 type. Only the included AC power cord or an approved power cord
with an IEC60-320 C14 type plug should be used.

The Oppo is an excellent Bluray and 4K player. CD playback is okay but not as smooth as a Meridian 800.

Hope this helps.

The Reavon UBX-X200 appears to be the successor to Oppo.

There’s a cheaper model, too.

Keep the 800.4 for CD's and buy a Blu-Ray player!

I am also running Oppo players in my systems. They are fantastic and well worth considering.

Besides the Reavon players. A company called Magnetar has launched UDP800. Here is a review.