Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HelpPlease - Looking to buy a new Blu-Ray player

It's interesting to read someone who has tried so many players through an HD621, and has heard differences so clearly. There was an interesting discussion sometime ago asking whether it mattered what you put into an HD621, sound wise. I should try to dig it out.

Yes, an interesting review of extensive experience. But why do you think that a twin output player will help cure problems for the HD621 in the light of what Joelc has writen:

Just to be clear, I wouldn't recommend the Denon A1UD. The 3800 - yes, unhesitatingly, but not the A1. Although the A1 is better at everything, its not good enough to justify the premium, and the modified Oppos are better.

The truncation of SACD over HDMI is an unforgivable shortcoming for this sort of player as well.

Quite by coincidence, I just finished installing HW multi-region mods to both my Oppo and Denon yesterday. The Oppo mod was much easier than the Denon!

Nick

But why do you think twin outputs will help with the HD621?

It looks as though anyone hoping to get a BDP 93EU before Christmas may be unlucky. The BBC have reported a theft of stock from Oppo Europe. Whether this is all or only some of the stock of 93EUs is not clear:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-11893522

Ther are also reports that firmware problems have delayed general release in Europe.

My comment about twin outlets relates to players, not processors. It means the audio processor doesn't have to be connected to a video display or video processor, which is usually a bad thing.

Nomatter how its done, digital video on HDMI seems to pollute everything it touches. I was playing with my HD621, and used its HDMI output to drive non-Meridian equipment.

I found that the HD621 degraded the audio when it was switched on, but out of the audio chain, for example when using SPDIF directly from the player. It made my Sony 9100 sound "hashy" at the top-end; not very nice.

I also found that unplugging TVs, projectors and video processors improves SQ in conventional AV systems that are hooked-up with HDMI. Digital video and audio really don't mix to my mind - I think Meridian got that one right.

Twin outlets on a processor are just for convenience, so you don't need a separate switch if you have a projector, for example.

Nick

But I was explicitly talking about your comments about dual output players and their effect when input to the HD621, not about processors.

Nick,

Thank you for your input. It�s interesting to note that through your comparisons between blu-ray players you have been able to discern a difference in quality on the audio side. I had slowly come to assume that when using a HD621 audio performance between players was effectively levelled out but clearly this is not your experience. I have never done any A/B comparisons between blu-ray players in the same set-up and thus have no first hand experience.

On a different note, I spoke to Audiocom yesterday. They were extremely helpful. They do not have a firm release date for their Oppo 93 modified unit as they�re not sure when they�ll receive OEM units from Oppo. They�ve also not finalised the specs for the modifications that they�ll be offering to these units but they�ll be similar in scope/style to what they offered on the 83 model. For Meridian HD621 users it is interesting to note that they�ll be able to offer a high spec set of modifications to those people who only plan to use the unit as a transport (i.e. you can spend zero money modifying the analogue audio circuitry and direct all of your money to modifying the circuitry that you do care about). It seems that they�re hoping to be able to offer modified units to customers in early 2011 (Jane/Feb?).

Sorry, I missed the point. In general I think its best to keep audio separate to video as far as possible. HDMI makes this difficult, but I think dual outputs may help by keeping the video display / processor away from the audio processor. The benefit doesn't come from keeping digital video out of the processor; that's impossible. However, you may have the option of running the "audio" HDMI output at a different video format to the "video" output, which may optimise SQ. Of course the HD621 helps to achieve this anyway, and I expect it diminishes any benefit from a dual output player (I'm afraid I haven't tried this). I mainly want a dual output machine for use with a video processor, rather than the HD621 (which I've just sold). Video processors chip away at SQ, even the Radiance, and I'd rather it wasn't in the audio chain.

Nick

I suspect the HD621 provides a "relative" benefit i.e. an x fold decrease re tidying up jitter rather than achieving an "absolute" level irrespective of level on the input. I'm not sure what other variables may also be add to the mix re perceived difference between HDMI sources.

I guess it would be good to have some performance data re different sources and output via HDMI. Do Audiocom provide before and after measurements relating to their digital mods ?

Avii

I'd be shocked if they did! I don't think I have EVER seen published measurements from these after-market mod-shops. I am inherently cynical about these things - had my BDP83 modded and it made not a lick of difference when using the unit via HDMI. I'd be curious to know what Audiocom plans to do to the unit when used as a transport - probably the usual 'we've replaced the power supply with industrial units used on Sputnik' and 'put in kryptonite shileding' ....

One of these days I really do have to try to get my hands on the CompliBlu so I can do a 1:1 comparison with my Oppo and try to detect differences for myself.

Thanks. That is very clear and helpful.