Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP5??? + Transports?

I have to assemble a small (13'L x 12'W x 14'H) audio video room in a second home. I prefer two speakers to multiple speakers. I want simplicity, not complexity. All of you know much more than I do.

I can move two older Meridian (unmodified)D5000 speakers and a Meridian 500 transport to use for music CD audio and for movie DVD audio.

Would two new DSP5200's represent much of an improvement? Could I still use the old 500 transport? What would be a good new transport? Would an Arcam DV29 work as a transport to the Meridians (as well as a Video source for a Sony Bravia V40)?

Any help on any or all of the above would be much appreciated. Thanks.

David

Do you mean D5000s or DSP5000s? DSP5000s represent a big improvement over D5000s and 5200s, IMO, represent a further significant improvement over the DSP5000s, particularly in the bass (though this is, of course, highly subjective).

Yes.

For CD, the 500 is still a fine transport, though the more recent models (serial numbers beginning with 2 and 3) have better mechanisms and are generally regarded to be superior. Given you have D5000s, I imagine you have an early 500. What I would suggest though would be to try a 518 between the 500 (or any transport for that matter) and your speakers. Do a search on these forums. Many rate the 518 as one of Meridian's finest, though more understated, products. A relatively inexpensive upgrade in the second-hand market assuming you can find one!

Very well, I'd imagine.

I very much appreciate your taking the time to provide some guidance. Perhaps, the following will clarify my situation. I listen to modern music (John Adams, Phillip Glass, Keith Jarrett etc.); vocals (Krall, Upshaw, Krauss, even country singers); old jazz and old rock and roll. My wife listens to Broadway and London musicals. I hate listening to symphonies that don't sound like symphonies because all the instruments are cramped and smeared. Our CD collection is fairly small -- only about 700 CD's. Our budget not unlimited.

You said, "DSP5000s represent a big improvement over D5000s and 5200s, IMO, represent a further significant improvement over the DSP5000s, particularly in the bass."

My D5000 speakers are not DSP. My 500 is a Serial Number 100XX. I also have a pair of D600 speakers.

How does DSP improve the 5000's? Clarity? In what areas do some perceive that 5200's improve bass? Tighter? Or, heavier?

Does Meridian make an excellent DVD/CD player under $8,000 or GBP 5000? Is the G series really that good? Does the 500 series still exist, outside eBay.

I hope this doesn't test your patience too much.

Thanks very much.

David Robertson
Sonoma, California

P.S. I don't know how to e-mail, privately, members of this forum. Sorry.

David,

Agree totally with V-K's reply to you - you will find that the DSP's give you a far better controlled bass - they have the "slam" without the boominess you get in some biiger speakers. But perhaps the biggest impact you will find is on the width of the soundstage (far wider) and clarity.

On the G series - v - 500 series - I auditioned a G08 recently into DSP7000's and to my ears it was harder and brighter than the earlier transports - a view held I know by a number of our fellow hitchikers (but not by others - I'm bound to get shot at dawn for that one !!) If you are thinking of getting rid of your 500, make sure you try the newer models first - you never know, you might find the same as I did.

In the US - have a look at http://www.audiogon.com/ as an alternative to e-bay.

Good hunting

George C

I don't know the D5000s - before my time - but from what I've read, DSP adds a lot particularly in driver integration. I have MkI (18-bit) DSP5000s which have strengths in the treble-mid integration that, for me, outweigh the weakness in the bass (the mid cone shares its amp with the bass cone and the amp struggles). I redirect all sub-80Hz bass to my sub. Back on topic, the 5200s are, in summary, 21st century technology and sound it. Basically they are that bit better all round. Three 5200s can image startlingly well.

The general consensus is that the G91 DVD controller and G98 DVD transport are sonically outstanding. I have heard nothing more lifelike than DVD-A from a G98 through a G68 to 5200s. Video is also excellent, but probably not state of the art (search this forum) and bettered by cheaper alternatives. Also too many reports of flaky firmware for my liking (disc recognition/navigation etc.), so I'm going the SDI modified DVD player + external scaler route for video. However, if someone handed me a G98 to go with my G68 I wouldn't say no!

Incidentally, I listen to most of my music in the form of EAC -ripped uncompressed WAVs on hard disc wirelessly via a Squeezebox. As good as a CD transport in my opinion.

The G68 processor is probably the star of the show. I'm biased as I have one, but it is a superb processor that borrows much from the 861. The G08 upsampling CD player is also reputed to be pretty special. As I said above, sonically, you'll be hard pressed to find better audio players than the G91 and G98 (800 and 808 excepted).

Probably not. Unfortunately, you're about six months late... Worth looking around though. I'm sure some dealer somewhere has some stock left.

I've learnt so much from others on this forum, I feel it's almost a duty to pass on what I've learnt! And my opinions too

Good luck!