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

Another positive review, after ripping a "mystery" CD* from a european Jazz great, Willem Breuker, and the M. upgrade, my system has never sounded better ... the transient sounds of the drums, saxophone, etc, are jaw-dropping. bravo, Meridian!

* the mystery CD was a happy accident, I ordered "A Paris" by Willem Breuker Kollektief as part of an order and received a "mystery" CD instead that was not mentioned in allmusic or AMG or dBpa metadata lookup. Apparently a compilation CD for a Brecht Festival in Deventer, NL 2011. I really like it so I'm glad it came.

I am extremely delighted and I'm actually thinking about rerunning the MRC to see if there are any tweaks in there. I think this time I'm going to sit in my chair and hold the mike whilst wearing a pair of NR headphones so I don't go crazy from the sound.

DON'T hold the Mic !!

+1

Support the mic with a sturdy stand, holding it yields poor results.

Regards,
Carl

Hi Carl, why do you think it yields poor results ?

You get much higher S/N ratio when the mic is in a stand and I've had problems with MRC when the S/N ratio has been low.

Regards,
Carl

My own experience with the firmware is also very positive, a veil has been removed. I've never been satisfied with my Meridian kit for music compared to my Mark Levinson/Revel setup, but it's now getting there. For movies it's a big leap in clarity and bass response.

Two things bother me though...

Firstly, it was stated that MRC doesn't need to be re-run, yet one of the more noticeable differences, to my ears, is in the bass reproduction. Bass is now more concussive (read louder), which is pleasing, but makes me wonder whether my MRC needs to be redone because one of the things I had before MRC was too much bass... the reintroduction of bass could now simply be excessive once again.

Secondly, if the firmware has made such a positive differences/corrections to sound, why haven't reviewers over the past decade noted the pre-firmware deficiencies in the Meridian sound........

My observation is that the processor update causes a perceivable difference to direct mode (DSP's reset to 0dB from +3dB). I was using the +3dB tweak prior to this and at the moment I'm not sure if the difference is preferable or just different. My initial feeling is different.

After a few days with the new version I've reverted some aspects back to the options I used prior to the update. Glad it was possible to revert and my advice is if you can't revert try to somehow audition a similar system with the new software first.

I've had the new firmware for my 8Ks for about a fortnight, but wanted to try a range of music to make a more balanced judgement. Both initial impressions and longer term listening are positive. Contrary to some suggestions that there might be no audible change to 8000.2s, I can confirm that the Mk2s also benefit from the new bass alignment, at least to my ears.

What I find is that the bass is tighter and more controlled and the mid and top has also benefitted, being more open and musical. One thing that no-one else has mentioned so far is that I found the 8Ks (and the 7K2s) on close-miked vocals with a few singers when they are belting could tend to be a little shrill. That tendency is somewhat reduced now so I would say that the upper mid-range is sweeter. Overall music seems more together and coherent. These are not vast differences but noticeable. Or I might be benefitting from a placebo effect, but in any case they sound wonderful, so well done M.

I've since heard (from two dealers) that the 8000.2 did get improved bass alignment but it was not documented in the release notes.

Regards,
Carl

Re: 861v4 firmware upgrade done at dealer�s premises today. Sound is richer. It seemed a little dry through SB Touch. Now it�s back to the warmer �British� sound I recall and prefer. Bigger too; there�s more room for massed orchestral sounds. A really nice boost, thanks M!

Had the new firmware in my G68 and DSP5500HC for about three weeks now. All listening done without MRC, all speakers set to large with no protection, the levels were recalibrated to 83dB.

It has taken some time to get used to the new sound and for the first week I was definitely not convinced. I detected a scratchy overtone on centre channel voices, especially with DD sources, that I am now not so sure exists. Solo piano has also so far disappointed.

What I do hear is much more separation between sounds and more rounded sounding instruments, especially plucked guitar. The top end seems brighter but with less bite, a plus with the B&Ws. But most noticeable of all is the bass which is now really tuneful and seems to go much lower. Van Halen's "You Really Got Me" (from an LP source) is remarkable, "Internet Friends" by Knife Party, played from YouTube, (recommended by a young friend) is terrifying and tonight I experienced the film Inception which seems to have the longest, loudest and deepest explosions I have heard.

On balance I think the new software is a worthwhile improvement.