Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Is the 861 a dead end?

Low noise is by definition inaudible, but I will talk to my dog "Rambo", a direct descendant of "Nipper", to get his opinion.

Hector

My (limited!) understanding of MQA is that it has to be done at the very last stage- thus wouldn't it need to be a choice of either analog output on the processor or send MQA along digitally to digital speakers where the final decoding occurs?

I agree with you guys- the risk here is Meridian is not capturing mindshare. Rather they are losing it. Does it matter that we are more enthusiast based on the forum? Maybe it doesn't really matter in the short- medium term. But I would argue to Meridian, if they are listening, that we represent a somewhat advance look at the likely problems on the horizon, we are like a canary in a coal mine.

If I were looking at another system today I would think long and hard about going with something like that nice Steinway- another proprietary system. I think I'd be looking at something that involved some chunky amps and maybe B&W speakers or maybe Sonus Faber- very different speakers but Ive enjoyed both over the years.

Jerry

I agree with what you say, in my opinion surround processing seems to develop so rapidly that even if a company release a premium priced product that 'does it all' it will soon be out of date, maybe buying a processor in the 1000 £$ bracket which can be replaced when it becomes obsolete is the way forward? I am with you on Sonus Faber, my Guarneri Evolutions are lovely.

Cheers

Russ

Russ, you bring up a very good point for someone who doesn't already own these things. As someone who does, however, I am content to stick with what I have. The point I make to Meridian is simply that while their competitors aren't getting my business today or in the near future, neither is Meridian. I am sure I am not unique and thus I hope they will address our concerns in the near future- but I'm also not holding my breath.

I'd like to add my voice to the 'sitting on my wallet' band wagon.

My G68ADV failed its SMPS late last year. Of course, it was not content with going solo, so it took numerous adjacent bits along for the ride. It is sitting at the repair shop currently with estimates for repair and repair + LPS upgrade. I am torn as to whether to put any money into it given all of the uncertainty and failures to deliver on past promises from M. I've thought a little on getting a G65 or used 861 v6/v8. At this point though, a used Classe CT-SSP or Bryston SP3 looks a lot more compelling.

It seems that a number of folks who were long term M owners have also jumped ship, Kal being a recent high profile example. I doubt he would have done so if he thought the 861v8 was still state of the art or that there was an upgrade on the horizon to get there.

There's clearly equity here in folks who really want M to succeed; so sad to see it being squandered.

Here's the thing: Meridian kit sounds great, but we wait far too long for it. There's an argument which says: go with Denon or Marantz or Onkyo or Yamaha, for far less. By the time Meridian has its (amazing) product out there, the world has moved on and there's more fun to be had. For the moment, it means going analogue, but that might not be the case for much longer.

A friend of mine had a few year old Denon Receiver.
It had full automatic room correction (i.e. set supplied mic in a few positions and it does level, distance and equalization) and decoded everything over HDMI. Not atmos though.

It was a 5.2 analog setup. He was not happy with it. Especially after he recently sampled my new setup.

He had 2 DSP 5K's and a Meridian D2500 sub in another 2 channel listening room he liked a lot but never used because they always wanted to be in the family room off the kitchen while one or the cooked etc.

Anyway I was selling a G68, 2x5Ks and a 5K center which was not far from my setup (combing what he had). I talked him into buying it. Pretty cheap and said I would buy it back if he wasn't happy.

I helped him set it up. We used REW to cross check everything.
He was pretty concerned with how much work it was.

He was also concerned it was going backwards from HDMI to toslink.
No HD621 here and he doesn't need it since he streams everything.

When all was said and done he is blown away.
The G68 is around 17 years old and so are the speakers, all 7 segment 24/96.

His old preamp was like 3 years old.

Hi George

Your friend is lucky to have you nearby, what was it he didn't like about his original system, you don't mention his original speakers, was he using the system mainly for stereo or in surround mode?
I am sure the setup you installed sounds great, DSP5k's are good speakers.

Cheers

Russ

Yes, it's very easy to get "hemmablind" (Swedish expression for not seeing what you have at home). Like when you read something about how excited a reporter is for trying a DEQX box correcting his speakers group delay which can only be done in the DSP domain.. Oh wait I already have that in a 7 speaker system with meridians EBA.

Now I do have faith in that Meridian will continue its multichannel legacy but ofcourse the wait and non-communication with its most avid supporters and frankly a part of their past and future paychecks if you want to discuss in a term owners and management understand.

Love "hemmablind" this should be included in the next revision of the "OED". However if I understand your post correctly, Meridian Management need to be involved at a fundamental customer communication level, not just the participation of local management at their previous faithful customers.

What Chance Hector

Would you appreciate your spouse more or less if they wouldn't talk to you?

Similar to other philosophical quandaries such as "if a man is in the forest miles from anyone, is he still wrong?"

I don't know exactly what he had, but it wasn't cheap (it was not a big name speaker) and cost a lot more than he paid for his "used" Meridian Setup. Which I think was around $3500.00 total (G68, 4 5K's, 1 5KC, 1 D2500 all 24/96). He just bought the same TV I had too.

His biggest issue was poor dialog and unsatisfactory bass and he tried several center speakers. He was using the Denon Amps in the Receiever and 2 active subs.

He was using it mainly for TV/Movies.