Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G98 vs. BDP-LX52

So, just to clarify:

DVD - There is no question that the G98 is one of the best DVD players around. When playing DVDs, the LX52/HD621 combination is no match for the G98. The opening sequence to Stealth clearly demonstrated that the difference was night and day in every possible respect. The G98 was engineered to squeeze every last drop out of the format and it seems to do so with the greatest of ease. On the other hand, as we would expect, LX52 plays DVDs only because this was in the design specification.

Bluray - When playing a DVD and Blu-ray of the same film, unsurprisingly, the picture quality of the LX52 is far better. This is due to the technology rather that the LX52 specifically. I`ve seen budget players produce pretty much the same in terms of picture quality. With regard to sound, the LX52/HD621 combination has a head start as the bit rate is so much higher. This, along with the processing in the HD621, means that the sound quality from the LX52 (except for parts of the Matrix) is also much improved. I`ve gone into the differences in quite of lot of detail in previous posts. Note that, when playing Blu-ray disks, I have only used the LX52 in conjunction with the HD621.

CD (LX52/HD621 vs. G98) - With the additional processing of the HD621, the LX52/HD621 combination produces a quality of sound which is even better than the G98. As VirusKiller has explained, the HD621 contains Meridian's apodizing upsampling technology which is why CDs sound so impressive from the LX52/HD621 combination. Not that I know what apodizing upsampling technology actually is or what it does!

CD (LX52 vs. G98) - Without the additional processing of the HD621, there is a significant drop in sound quality from the LX52. Overall, as a CD player, the G98 gives a better quality of sound than the LX52 but not by a huge amount. Certainly not to the degree that I was expecting. In my opinion (and remember this only my opinion) this ‘middle-of the-range Japanese Bluray player` is actually a very impressive performer and gives the G98 a run for its money. At the end of the day though, when it comes to playing CDs without the additional processing of the HD621, it is not quite as good as the G98.

Finally, Dave, congratulations on ordering your G68 and HD621. I recommend that you add either the Oppo or LX52 and wait before rushing out to buy the G98DH for music/DVD duties. When you have experienced your Blu-ray player in action, I doubt that you will be watching that many DVDs anyway. Yes, I know you probably have lots of DVDs but once you have got used to Blu-ray it is difficult to go back. With regard to CD playback just trust your own ears. The Oppo or LX52 partnered with the HD621 will provide the sort of sound quality which will blow you away. CDs through the HD621 really do sound that good.

Oh, and yes there is a better way to spend the �1,200 and that`s on building up your Blu-ray collection!

Regards

David