Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G98 or other DVD Players for my 861

Looking forward to your recommendations but is G98 worth the $$ compared to say Denon 5910? I have 861 so I am curious if any of you have done video/audio comparisons..

Any insights will help

Cheers,
Kishore

I own an 861 version 4 but did not want to commit to the expense of a G98 with DVD HD and Blu-ray coming out. I upgraded my unit with an IA45 for six channel analog (DVD-Audio and SACD) and bought a universal player. Unfortunately, the IA45 was pricey but so is the G98.

I have a G98. It has a lot of Video scaling facilities which are of dubious use to anyone not on HDMI. It is exceedingly good on audio with the smartlink to G68.

Is it worth it? Probably not but it does visually match the G68. With the 800 series - don't know.

Malcolm

Can recommend the G98 on sound quality.

But,it's not particularly stable -frequent hang ups and still occassional centre channel drop outs.

Smartlink is of limited value at the moment

Overall, I don't think it represents very good value for money and I'm not sure I would buy another if my present unit bit the dust.

Just my opinion

Cliff

The G98 gives a very good sound and excellent picture quality. A large number of reviews support that viewpoint. I think the video inputs are very useful and the scaler is first-rate on a good display. I disagree with the comment about smartlink, I think it is terrific and makes the combination of G98 and 861 quite unique and easy to use.
My advice is get one if you can't afford an 800!

You could also look for a used 598DP -- the advantages of smartlink w/o the cost of the others. If you don't need scaling or a digital picture out, you're giving up very little.

Hi,

I own a Denon A-11 (called 5900 in the States, I think) and a 3910. Also I have been shopping around for M video Gear and looked at both G98 and G91 (800's are out of my reach for now).

You should know that although an excellent universal player, both for music and for video, the Denon also has its fair share of glitches requiring you to perform firmware updates.

From a financially-only point of view, the G98 looks to me a bit overpriced. I found that for the price difference you can get MUCH more from a G91 (although not for video, but rather for system integration and audio quality in stereo, both digital and analogue - dunno if these count for you given the actual facts).

I wouldn't go for the G98. Should you have a need for the other features of the G91, I would say it offers much better value for money than the G98, even if you have to spend more for it.

Just a personal opinion.

Cheers,

Thank you guys for your responses.. I can get used G98 ~$3.7K- I recently sold my 598DP(maybe I jumped too soon). I cannot afford 800. Yes, for sonics MHR Link is cool!

Besides Merdian, another feedback was to use big ben clock+great transport.

As a single guy I do not care about aesthetics

Decisions...lol

Cheers,
Kishore

I have a Big Ben, used it with a 602, 500 MKII and a G98. If you're only interested in RBCD the 500 MKII retrieves the most detail but the G98 has the better presentation.

Regards
Gary