Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G98 versus BDP83 for DVD and DVD-A

The thought has crossed my mind to condsider selling my G98 and replacing it with an Oppo BDP83, running into a HD621 / G68 setup.

Much of my listening is now via the sonus and the CD sound quality of the G98 is not that marked an improvment or the sonus. Could even at some stage upgrade the G98 to the 808.2 if a home demo proved the benefits. (is the upgrade offer still running?)

Has anyone compared a G98 running DVD and DVD-A with the BDP83. Another major benefit would be the availability of SACD. I would lose the Meridian direct link to the G68 but would bring the HD621 into play which would probably compensate. Have tried G98 via HD621 and have found it difficult to tell the difference

For Bluray I currently use a PS3, while not the driver for the proposed change, has anyone compared the PS3 to the BDP-83.

The fact that a regionally modified BDP-83 is availble in the UK now makes this a viable option.

thanks

David

Hi David,

I have done/am doing almost what you have done/are thinking about.

I have changed my G91 for the Sonos. However, unlike you, we observed a not significant but noticable degrading of sound quality and cannot wait for Meridian to add a SPDIF input to the HD621 or make a HD621 equivalent for servers. It is just not "reasonable" for me to use a 808.2 to run the Sonos through.

Also as I have removed the G91 I will be ordering an Oppo and installing it in December. I also do not want to use 2 spinners as I never spin CD's anymore.

Perhaps if 200 HH's post here that they are doing something similar we would demonstrate to Meridian the potential market and will get a Meridian server solution that would be almost equivalent to the 808.2 soon.

Best wishes,

David, its called Sooloos...........:)

I don't see that as an answer to David's question. Sure the Sooloos is big enough to fill in as a spare TV which I have no desire for and it will do a zillion gimmicks that I have no interest in, but where does it give 95% of the sound quality which I would get if I ran my Sonos through a 808.2? Does the Sooloos also have to run through a 808.2 to get the sound? Surely Meridian is aware of and working on this enormous gap?

Thanks for the posts, the real point of the query was to compare the G98 in DVD and DVD-A with the Oppo. I expect a Sooloos type solution will be part of my future kit but expect it will be 2 or 3 years before it becomes viable. I like DVD-A and want this for the future with SACD as well as long as the sound quality is not compromised by switching to the Oppo

David

David,

Have you actually tried multi-channel DVD-A output via HDMI from the G98 into the HD621? I thought that the G98 could only output 2 channel via this route.

Malcolm

As you correctly say I have only been able to compare CD via HD621.

Dreaming of an 808.2i some day, would this be better fed directly into the 7200's or with the G68 in the middle?

David

Hi David

My preference is for the player direct to the DSPs. I have the 808.2i direct to 8ks (SPDIF) and find it to offer the kind of transparency, delicacy and detail that I've only previously heard from very high end dedicated two channel systems. I have also tried the 808.2i via a 568.2mm, G68 and 861, and each imparts their own sonic signature compared to a direct connection.

Cheers

George

I can confirm the G98 wont pass multi channel through HDMI. A serious flaw imho.

I find the Oppo via HD621 to be the equal of my 800 via SPDIF MHR with DVD-A.

That *could* be a damning statement for the Oppo or high praise for the 800, given that the HD621 apodizes.

Presumably this is via Apple TV? I keep looking at this product and thinking its a great product but keep being put off by it not being an itunes (audio and video) server in its own right nor capable of running off a NAS/external USB - is this correct?