Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Re: New Firmware Impressions

I still haven't found the sweet spot with 'new' Trifield. Need more time on it and a clear evening or two.

Currently I'm at 1.5W, +2.5D.

Although calibrated as exactly level with the L&R DSP, I find the 72hc to be quite dominant/forward. The above width and depth settings help, but, it's still not quite as it was pre-upgrade.

I can't recall during the lengthy +3dB debates if this question came up, but, when making a level change to centre with the MSR, for example, taking 3dB off, is that having the same impact on SQ/resolution as the main 3dB headroom adjustment?

So, since Trifield is still -3dB for headroom then if you trim it down another 3dB via MSR when listening, are you now at -6dB digitally ? Or is that MSR-driven live tweak using the analogue element of volume control?

Your DSP's are more similar relative to each other, and a lot depends on Speaker Distances etc.

However, a Width around 1.3 and a Depth around +1.5 would be a good place to start IMHO

Then Play around until you find the Sweet Spot, which can vary from room to room......and person to person!!

On my 3 legacy 8K's the center level is minus 0.5dB and the deep is + 0.5 dB, there is only a very minor change before 6.03 sw.

Robert

First, I was trying to add further perspective to the differences between what ncpl heard through an 861 and what I heard direct from 808.3. He seemed to be making comparisons as though they were equivalent.

I then added in my impressions of updating my other system which includes an 861v6, the details of which I posted. I further noted the differences on that system between playing the same CD to the 861v6 using DSP Direct via SPDIF and then via HDMI using the HD621.

I also noted that neither route to the 861 sounded as good as the 808.3. There was less scale and drama. But there are other variables to factor in, particularly room size: the 861 is in a room 19'6" x 13'8" and the 808 in a room 28' x 18'6".

But we would surely expect the 808.3 to sound better as a CD player than the Oppo?

Well I've finally had all speakers and 861 updated (poor 800 feels left out now but is still working).

I just spent a few minutes with the DSP8ks before the 861 was updated and they sounded pretty good but couldn't wait for a full sound off.

Now with everything done I can't really say what had the most impact but I'm very happy with the sound.

The 5500HC seems to integrate better with the front DSP8ks on DVDs and with Trifield width out at 1.5 is sounding pretty good. Lots more listening to be done to optimise settings but I'm very happy at the moment.

The bass seems much better - tight but stronger at my seating position (which was in a bit of a null I think). I think a lot of that might be down the improvements in the 5500HC.

Just to warn some people... the DSP6ks and DSP8ks had to re-typed to get any sound out of them after the update and the 861 took 3 or 4 goes to get one of the files loaded. And, of course, the 5500HC told me the firmware was for a 5500HC and asked for permission to continue.

The best fun was had with the unused DSP5ks in the bedroom - where I spent about 1hr finding cables that actually worked (would you believe 2 S leads and a 1m digital interconnect didn't work at all). Even the 3rd S-lead was intermittent. Doesn't impact the firmware update but I wanted to run them before and after to make sure everything was fine.

So busy morning but now back to listening (and watching).

Thanks Meridian - a fine update.

Chris

I had my G68 ADV updated on Friday, and have spent the weekend listening to CDs and my other digital sources. The firmware is a significant improvement in sound quality and highly recommended.

My ultimate test was to play back a digital recording which I had made of "Messiah" in 1986 using spaced microphones with hemispherical pickup patterns. I have returned to this recording many times in the 28 years since it was made, and (with this firmware update) the sense of space, delicacy, micro-dynamics, and tone of the original recording have been restored.

Quite remarkable.

My dealer recently performed the updates. We did not have the time to update one thing and then test it and then the next. We did the processor and the speakers and my reaction is the firmware update is a worth while upgrade. The resultant sound is sweeter and, to my ears has a more "analog" sense to it, especially the treble. The bass was always good and now it does seem to have more focus. The whole soundstage also has more coherence to it. It wasn't bad before, but it just simply is even better now. Bravo!

I am surprised that more people have not posted about their delight with the improvements. The more I listen the more impressed I am.

You are right, and Im guilty of this myself.

First off, I wasnt even expecting an update for the DSP6000's, but boy am I glad it has been done. The speaker has been improved massively, and I was already very pleased with their performance.

The G61R upgrade in the context of my system is a little more subtle. My 2 channel inputs are switched via the 808.3 which is already appodising and obviously high quality. I have never really played with Trifield width, so for me that wasn't really a problem. I generally listen to 2 channel in Direct, is it better. Yes. Not wow, like the speaker upgrade, but welcome none the less.

Other inputs are generally HDMI via HD621 so nothing to report there.

The 5200HC has a nice system integration update, so Sooloos comms works automagically and the display shows 'SLS' !

So thank you very much Mr Bob Stuart and the whole Meridian team - a very welcome Christmass present.

Cheers
Greg

I had hoped that the mysterious "Power amps not muted in standby" noted in the release notes may mean that my DSP5000's would not suffer intermittent interference from my phone but alas they still do.

Never noticed the problem with my 5200's so maybe newer models are better insulated against emi. Cue sarcasm.

I agree. One of the benefits of changing from DSP5000 to DSP5200 a few years ago was that I no longer had to listen to the annoying GSM 'beep beep' every time my phone connected to the cell.
Stuart

I refuse to own brain dead GSM phones for this very reason. Computers, Cars, Audio Systems, Headphones, Sound Docks anything with a Speaker is vulnerable. I love when I hear a broadcast on the Radio or TV and the person they are interviewing transmits the "Beeeeeeep daht daht daht..." to the microphone. Same folks that worry about using "Power Plug" transmission, or spend massive dollars on power filtering then buy one of these EMI noise bombs.