Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Advice please for my first M system

My advice

568.2mm
HD621
DSP5k 24 bit, HC and rear 5ks.
if you into home theater.

Thanks again for all the comments and advice. Looks like demo's are required to make up my mind on choice of speakers and then take it from there with regard to source and processing options later on.

Hi Crimson,

I agree that you have come to a very accurate and good conclusion.

But said with some caution, a demo does at least in some way start your purchase with new gear from a dealer. I suggest that there is one other alternative. Buy a pair of the best deal that you can get used 6k or 5500's. You can't go wrong and you can always trade up later if you discover that there is something better that you want, deserve and can afford. It is such an easy way to dip your toe in. Then when you have the initial experience the demo route kicks in with the myriad of complex upgrade options and you start a relationship with a dealer of your choice.

It was the way I started and I can't imagine a better possible route for me, which does seem to be an endless but pleasant journey.

Sorry to muddy the waters again, and good luck.

Aloha,

Thanks Dolf, helpful advice. I will see how it goes, I have been lucky enough to receive invitations from generous forum members to listen to their set ups, and that will help greatly in understanding the potential sound quality on offer compared to the very many high end passive systems I have owned and visited.

Then it's about considering how these might sound in my room etc. I'm most attracted to the idea of a pair 6k's unless I feel that the SQ of 7.2ks is worth the additional premium, or if they would more easily integrate into my listening room.

I know the DSPs are flexible and adjustable but it's very likely that they would be squeezed into corner positions and likely need a fair bit of toe in (and tilt if 6ks).

Hi Crimson,

How big is your room?

If you intend to use hi-rez sources (/HDMI) then HD621 is a pre-requisite for whatever Meridian gear you choose to get.

Spend most of $$ on speakers first-electronics (and its upgrade) can come later.

For electronics - *if* possible, I recommend you getting a 861v4 or better (there are good deals locally). I would skip G series.

DSP6K is a favorite and 5500HC would be a great center to have/match with the speakers.

Regards,
Kishore
P.S. The updated DSP7K is not bad - AFAIK they share same electronics with 6K and 5.5K.

It's 11' x 10' so small, but its mine and dedicated to music.

If you're referring to my post Rodders, I mentioned �9,000, not �8,000, and they weren't the damaged Peter Tyson ones. Just to clarify.

My memory isn't 100% over the price but I think I'm pretty close.

I would get a home demo if at all possible. Small rooms can be a problem. However, if it is yours just for music then I would put some acoustic treatments in to help tame things... regardless of speaker used. My recent experiences tell me this can be very very effective.

+ 1 on Nicks comments about room treatment. JimK and I are in the process of treating our respective listening rooms and the difference is very significant--and we're not done yet.

Ken

My experience in hifi has taught me a lot about the impact of the room on sound quality and so I'm absolutely with you about the role of physical room treatment and room correction.

+1

I'd get a demo, even if it's not a home dem to start with, from a reputable dealer. Don't know where you are in the country, but e.g., Rick at Audio Images has different size demo rooms, lots of second hand speakers as well as knew, and also deals in high end analogue gear of other makes (e.g., Naim). You might be able to do a good dem, comparing some of the different Meridian speakers old and new, to a high end analogue setup and see if it even floats your boat at this stage before you buy stuff too blind? Remember that on here you're getting the opinion of people who generally speaking like the Meridian 'house sound' in some way.

By the way, I'm not sure if they've been mentioned yet, but when I demoed my 818, Rick used DSP7000, which in quite a small room impressed me greatly - none of the slow, boomy bass I found with the 5200s in a similar sized room. They might be within your budget too?