Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Oppo 83 HD621 Experience

Agreed that the Duo isn't a Radiance replacement. But at about �900, it's an Edge with a few additions, including serial RS232 automation

I'm thinking about one for Dual Output to a Plasma and Projector

Any thoughts or tests yet on what the Edge does with 480i/576i from DVD discs??

Curiosity, what are you aiming for with different Edge outputs for SD and HD??

Not yet, though I may try it at some point.

Scaling in the Radiance rather than in the Edge. So I'd want 576p for SD and 1080p for HD. It's swings and roundabouts. Ironically, I have recently learned of a alternative satellite box, which will work with Sky cards and output 576i over HDMI, for less than the price of an Edge. For simplicity, I may well go down this route, but not immediately.

That is an interesting comment Simon. I had an 800 and even had it modified with a better internal clock (the standard one is pretty basic with Meridian relying on buffering for jitter control) but I was never wrapped in it and eventually sold it.

I have not tried CD on my Oppo (a CHT modded unit) but have not been impressed with the SACD output compared to the Esoteric UX-1 LE (modded by "The Upgrade Company"). The Oppo is a great Bluray player but not an outstanding audio player IMO.

Please do not misinterpret, I'm not knocking Meridian gear or Oppo and am wrapped in what the HD621 and 861 can do for MC audio. However, in common with all other processors I've owned, the 861 does mush up the stereo signal if set to sythesise surround from 2CH so I divert the L/R direct to amps & speakers but use feedback to the 861 for synthesised surround. Works nicely - best of both worlds.

And the HD621 helps produce superb audio from musical BDs. I've got quite a collection of BD operas here and some are outstanding. If you are interested I've posted a heap of reviews at http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=78878

Good as the Oppo is I cannot say that using the 620 -> 861 -> amps & speakers chain of command, the audio quality is any better from it than from the Panasonic BD 35 I used previously. Nicer loading times though.

John

John:

I am not familiar with the Esoteric player you cite, nor the modding company, but are you comparing 3xSPDIF from the Oppo verus 3xSPDIF from the Esoteric?

I had my Oppo BDP83 modded by CHT also, and lived with that for a while, but had SACD playback 'rice krispies' (not Gary Murrell's fault, a firmware problem) that a little birdie told me the HD621 could fix. That indeed proved to be the case, although I a now not using the 3xSPDIF mod on the Oppo, so that proved to be something of a waste of money (not my first case of flushing-dollars, but also not my last I'd expect either).

Anyhow, I do find that the HD621 renders a quite significant sonic advantage to the Oppo over the 3xSPDIF mod. Perhaps not quite enough to dump my 800 for CD, but close. On SACD, through the HD621, the Oppo is superior to my prior player, a DVDUpgrades modified Denon 3910. Presumably your Esoteric is a superior player to my Denon?

All fun and games!

Simon

SACD ex Oppo was via HD621 with 3xSPIF out -> Meridian 861

The Esoteric player was doing the DAC work as for it the 6CH analog out was feeding -> 861 so the Meridian was only doing DAC processing for the Oppo.

However in both cases the players were converting DSD to PCM first.

I have not tried the CHT mod to the secondary Oppo audio out yet so, like you, have wasted dollars on that to date.

I would guess the Esoteric would be better than the Denon 3910. I have a 3930 in a second system but it is feeding to a modded (upgraded timer etc) Denon 4308 receiver via Denon link so it is unsurprising the Esoteric sounds better in the main system.

Toys, toys, toys - fun for little and big, young & old boys!!

John

Hi Simon,

What modds were done to your Oppo?
And where did you order it?

Regards,
Bob

I have both a G98, an Oppo BDP-83, and a HD621. The G98 feeds my G68 directly through one set of multichannel digital inputs while the Oppo runs through the HD621 and into the second set. I have a slight preference for the G98 on DVD Audio. However the Oppo is quite good through the HD621.

This may be of interest to Oppo buyers.

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/blo...ersal+blu+ray+deck+indefinitely+28+10+09

Chris

Thanks for that Chris. Disappointing...I was ready to order as soon as Henry at CRT got them in stock. I expect he'll have another upsurge in orders for modded US models again!

Cheers

George

A modded player from CRT is �584 with post and came in 2 days and it's a cracker.


Mike

Maybe try here?
www.oppodigital.com/InternationalOrders.asp