Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Swapping from G98DH to G06/G08

Dear experts

Been a while since I posted due to tedious inconveniences like spending money on the house.
Anyway, its good to be back and I have a hopefully easy question that's probably come up before:

I have a G98DH with latest firmware etc that I love for its great DVD playback and splendid CD sound. In the system I also have a more modest Sony DVD recorder/HDD (970) which I use as my freeview tuner and recorder but nothing else. Its all wired into a 568.2mm and out to Meridian amps.

Im going to replace the Sony with one of the new era of Freeview/Bluray/HD recorders -either from Sony or a Freesat model from Panasonic. This machine will do for Bluray and DVD playback - as Ive been stunned by how good at DVD playback most Bluray players are. When Meridian pull their fingers out and produce a high-end Bluray machine, I`ll buy one.
So, this leaves me with a conundrum about CD playback. Im not expecting a combi machine to be even ok as a CD transport so have assumed that I should stay with Meridian and choose between a G06/G08 (if there are any still around) and a G06.2, and G08.2.
Remember - whatever I choose will only act as a transport, so is there any benefit going for the 8 series ?
Incidentally, I shallnt replace the 568.2mm until Meridian produce an HD processor. Until then, I`ll use an HD621, which Im also trying out this weekend.

What's an HD processor?

There is a widespread belief that Meridian will not produce a Blu player. Meridian have been using a cheap Sony 550 for their demos.

I found the 808i.2 a huge improvement over the GO8, as you would expect from the price difference. But I had still been very pleased with the GO8, particularly with DSP 5ks and 2500.

Many here, including VK, thought my purchase of the 808i.2 "anachronistic" (in his words), and favour using a computer for music. Given the way many here listen to music that is the best solution for them.

You may not want to do this, but I would urge you to get Meridian DSP speakers for an all digital system.

For CD replay you need low jitter and/or low jitter mitigation. You also need apodizing at some point in the chain.

Meridian espouses upsampling (and therefore apodizing) at the earliest point possible during reproduction (G08.2, 808.2) and this is very true if you don't have adequate de-jittering further down the chain. However, I am of the opinion (for the moment, at least) that this advice is for jitter mitigation purposes (only) and that, in a full Meridian system, there is enough de-jittering in downstream components (HD621, processor, DSP speakers) to allow for upsampling after the source without significan, if any, performance penalty. Others mileage varies on this.

Hi Pat

You will need a vga to 3 phono lead to connect the 568.2mm to the HD621 like this one here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&...id=3498695653&ref=pd_sl_60awl6vhy6_e

Are you definately going to replace your G98DH as you should connect this to the HD621 via HDMI and sample the delights of the new apodising filters. You will be pleasently suprised.

I found my toshiba ep35 hd-DVD player into the HD621 then g68j out performed my 598 direct to the G68J.

This is what I had to say.

Well I have just spent the best part of a day compairing my 598 direct to the G68J v my toshiba ep35 into the HD621 then G68J and I prefared the sonic presentation from the ep35/HD621 combination.

When I first bought my HD621 I reported that I prefared the 598 direct to G68 over the ep35/HD621 combination as it seemed to offer a cleaner sound. I decided to revist the ep35/HD621 after reading that many others thought the HD621 / apodising offered an improvement.

Well the ep35/HD621 sound seems slightly smoother and fuller. Bass is more solid but not boomy. There seems to be more space around instuments, the treble information seems clearer, brushed cymbols etc sound more realistic.

The soundstage seems more 3d than before. When going back to the 598 the sound seems slightly flatter but still very good. Some discs show a bigger differance than others. Pink floyds another brick in the wall which I know Meridian have used to demonstrate apodising sounds much better through the HD621. The childrens choir becomes much clearer and projects further into the room on my system.

When I compared Roy Orbsisons track Shes a mystery to me the sounds through the HD621 was smoother and just more enjoyable.

Perhaps this is a more analog type sound. To me most tracks seem more musical to me but I find it almost impossible to describe.

If we get apodising in the processors then I expect the 598 direct to the G68 will be better as it will have less jitter.

Phil.

Sorry - VK - I meant to be more specific - a processor capable of internally decoding HD audio (eg DTS Master Audio). Im afraid I dont really understand what your point about jittering means in the context of my system (and question). Are you saying, therefore that a G06.2 or G06 ( I dont know what the difference is) would be fine because the dejittering will be done by my 568 or indeed HD621, if I get one ?

Asa Post - interesting that you think M wont produce a Bluray. Do others share this view. I cant afford an 808 and wont be going fully digital having invested so much in analogue

Phil - Those results are particularly interesting but dont they support the view that A g98 is a waste, if Im running into a HD621. I could use anything

In fact, Im now starting to wonder whether I do just get some kind of combo machine and lose the G98 altogether and not buy a CD player, either. If "anything" into HD621 into 568.2 is that good ?

Slightly more confused than when I started.

That's essentially my point, but I don't see what a G06 or G08 would offer over your G98 if they are not of the apodizing variety. EDIT: The G08.2 would almost certainly be better than what you have at the moment. Will it be better than your G98 into a Meridian processor with apodizing? Dunno.

This isn't going to happen from Meridian. Meridian has given us its solution in the HD621 and, as expected, it expects decoding of the HD formats to be done in the player.

Have a read of this thread: https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92539

You've already said that you love the sound of You know, you might be better off upgrading your 568.2MM to a G61R once the apodizing updates are released?

You have a PM.

I agree with VK that upgrading the processor maybe the best route to take. You will also gain Meridian room correction on the newer processors.

What we do not yet know is if the processors will get apodising filters, if they do your G98DH may well out perform a cheap Bluray player plugged into the HD621 as the G98DH will have lower jitter from the outset coupled with the apodising in the processor.

All very confusing.

Phil...

Phil - having looked at the HD621 manual Im not sure I understand why I need
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywo...sl_60awl6vhy6_e
what will it do ?

Hi Pat

It's how you would get your 3xSPDIF from the HD621 into the MM port of your 568.2.

Cheers

George

Ah. Being thick........but three ? I thought I had to take four outputs.
Never occurred to me that VGA and MHR were in anyway related ? Or is it just chance ?
Do I need to get a "high end " version of this cable and will it make a difference ?

The only way VGA and MHR are related is that they both use a DB15 connector. No need for an audiophile cable even if you could find one. These are digital signals we are talking about. Video cable is 75 ohm and has plenty of bandwidth.