Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Advice on processor options

Hi all

I've hankered after Meridian gear since my stepfather had a pair of M2's back in the mid 1980's and I've just bought a pair of recapped 24/96 DSP5000's to start my journey with. So far they are being driven directly off a Raspberry Pi which is acting as a Roon endpoint. (there is a TV connected to the 2nd input so I can use them with films/broadcast/Blu-ray).

I'd like to add to the system, and ultimately build a HT setup, and to that end have also acquired an 18bit DSP5000C (which is not a lot of use at the moment - I'd hoped to use it as a soundbar whilst saving for more stuff, but that doesn't work!).

I'm doing this on what most of you guys will think is a shoestring, and was thinking to add a Suround decoder or some form to make a 3 channel setup as a first step. and I'm confused as to what will sound ok, or be worth getting.

I've found a 565z3 (which has the 4.3 firmware on it), a G61Rsl, a 861v2 and a G68 (not sure which version, but it was driving a bunch of 18bit speakers) so far. I've listed them in price order and whilst the 565 is fairly cheap, the others are to me a significant chunk of change. The G61 is SpeakerLink - so I'd need to break that out to drive my speakers (although running a cat6 cable to the rears is appealing) I think this is reasonalby straight forward (I'm a reasonable chap with a soldering iron - and there were a couple of circuits posted in threads on here), but I don't know what to make of the 861v2 or the G61/G68 options.

Oh and I've failed to spot a 568.2 which is what I thought (after reading much of this forum) I was after.

Can anyone offer some pearls please? (and I can't afford a 861v8 with matched D8KSE's !)

Thanks

Hi,

Welcome to the forums.

It sounds like you've done your research with regard to what's the best options, so some random thoughts.

While I don't have any early 500 series, from a price perspective the 565 will get you going (particularly if it's a Z3 version) but you're going to have to upgrade eventually, so I might be tempted to bite the G series bullet. That would get you upscaling and the apodising filter, although you'd probably need to upgrade your centre speaker to a 96/24 version to get those benefits.

If you're looking at the G61SL on eBay, that's going at a good price whereas the G68ADV looks overpriced in comparison. G68ADV will have more legacy video inputs if that's important to you. I'm sure you'll have read about issues with the G series switch mode power supplies but if you're OK with replacing them, they aren't expensive to do.

Not sure I'd go for an early 861.

A 568.2mm is the best of the 500 series and it can accept a HD621, keeping it more up to date for Blu_ray playback (You could place a wanted add in the restaurant to see if anyone has a 568.2mm, or anything else available)

I went from a 568.2 to a 568.2mm, to a G68ADV to a G65, all from eBay or forum members, so I appreciate the cost constraints as well. Having said that, I only ever sold on the 568.2.

Also, don't forget that you might have to fund a remote control.


brian

Brian

Thanks you for your thoughts,

I wasn't interested in the video source switching capabilities of any of the systems, so the only benefit to that is getting audio from HDMI (I think). I have a Virgin v6 box which is HDMI connected to a panasonic OLED 55inch tv, the Bluray player is similarly connected, so at present for movies I have the tv optical out as the source, and my Roon endpoint for music. I'm not planning on adding any more sources (I rip all CD's to FLAC on Roon at the moment) so don't need dozens of inputs (at least not until my stepfather donates his LP12 )

PSU's are pretty straighforward items and as you observe can be repaired (my father ran an electronics assembly business when I was about16 so I spent most of my summer holidays working with him as a kid, so I'm good enough to be dangerous with a soldering iron! ) so the G series issues don't phase me.

and yes I was eBay shopping and agree about the G series prices. I have an iron in the fire (as it were) on another on a G68 unknown model, (I only have a front image and it's currently having it's PSU replaced!) but I don't know the price (and don't value the video switching abilities). The 861 eemed to get into the top of the range - but I think like buying an old rolls, the upgrades and maintanance could kill you! (and my use doens't seem to match it's strengths at least in the v2 version!)

so I was erring on the 565 or the G61Rsl at the moment. I think I really want the G61 but am struggling to know it's value (and to justify it to the mrs!)

Hi,

I’ve sent you a PM (flashing at top right)

I’m not familiar with any 861 units but I probably wouldn’t want anything that couldn’t be updated to v4 (not sure if a v2 can be). I’m sure someone will correct me if that’s incorrect.

Brian

For all practical purposes, the v2 is a dead end at this point. M no longer offers upgrades from what I can tell, and a used v4 is a lot cheaper than starting with a v2 and upgrading.

In the US, I saw an older G68 sell for ~$450. Not 100% sure which version it was.

Cheers,
- Ken

On the one hand, the 56x series were very good processors and the 565 should be an inexpensive way in, assuming you accept that these units are of an age they might fail and therefore need your soldering iron skills! The 568v2 was the best of these, but don't forget the 561.

On the other hand, the 861v2 is similar in terms of upgrade options (as in not really upgradable), but was the pinnacle of Meridian's achievement at around the same time, so would be very tempting. It's possibly more repairable too as it was built as a modular unit and the cards are swappable.

I can't speak to the Gxx series as I was on a Meridian sabbatical at the time and went from the 5xx to the 8xx series (and haven't looked back)!

My Meridian processor history was 568 > G91 > G61R. I found the G Series to be slightly stronger in the bass but all were excellent.

Hi

Again, welcome to the forum.

In terms of your current speakers, my understanding is that although you can mix 18 and 24 bit, your processor, whatever it may be, will default to 18 bit, which isn't getting the best out of your main speakers, you need a matching 24 bit centre to achieve that.

In terms of processors, the 500 series was very well built and very reliable, with the 568.2mm being the last of the line and probably the best, consequently they are sort after and not cheap. The downside is that the 500 series is now approaching 20 years old at best and 30 years at worst, the G series was introduced around 2004/5.

There were a number of G68 models in the early days, as detailed in Duncan's Meridian Info above, and I believe that all G68's had room correction from the start. The alternative is a G61, which is a cut down version of the G68 as it doesn't have video switching (which you don't need) and no room correction. The later G61R has room correction, which I assume would be the preferred option over a standard G61; the last version was the G61RSL, which is SpeakerLink, which doesn't match your DSP5ks as they are what is known as legacy, as they have separate comms and digital cables.

Early G61/61R/68's are now approaching 15/16 years old and will require servicing, checking of the back boards and a new power supply. The power supply unit (PSU) in most G series was not that reliable and should always be changed as a precautionary measure as when they fail, they can also damage potentially irreplaceable boards. The volume control on early G61/68s was also not reliable, my G68D, which I bought new and still have, had the problem from very early on; it didn't bother me because it was in a cabinet and it functioned perfectly with the remote. They can be replaced fairly easily when the unit is serviced. I had mine changed when I had the PSU replaced.

The G65 is a current model and I believe was SpeakerLink from the start and in order to connect your DSP5ks, you will need a specific connector.

I don't have any experience with the 800 series but they are very capable units and depending on your budget, if you decide on a 861, I guess a 861v4 would be the one to go for, just factor in servicing and a PSU.

I can only recommend that whatever decide to purchase, ensure that you factor in the initial servicing cost and a new PSU, certainly in respect of the 500 and G series.

I have also sent you a PM, which you may find of interest.

Kind regards

Jon

Like others here I have moved up the Meridian processor ranges over the years.

561m > 568 > 568.2mm > G68 > G61rsl

The 568.2mm is the only one I would consider today from the 500 series! Fantastic processor, But the G68 was better and the G61rsl was a step on again.

There are a few G61/g61r models floating about from time to time and if you can wait that would be a worthwhile investment. We’re very lucky here to have some great dealers who can always help out and advise on stock they are taking in secondhand which might be of Interest to you.

I would also advise trying to keep speakers in the 24bit range for completeness, although what you have will work wonderfully starting out.

Best of luck and welcome.

Kind regards
David

Relative prices would be helpful to know.

I have had a 565/562V combo for over 20 years (driving NHT analog speakers), and recently acquired a 561 driving a pair DSP5000 24/96. I have been extremely pleased with all of these pieces.

I would get the cheap 565 (if its in good shape). That will get you Trifield, so you can take advantage of your third speaker. You can fine tune and upgrade later, the 565 will get you 98% of the way there!

Am I right in thinking the 565 needed an update for Dolby digital?? Z3 comes to mind? Just incase it’s an early one 🤷🏻‍♂️

Happy to be corrected if I’m wrong!?

Kind regards
David

David

There is a 565 on eBay with the Z3 upgrade (and 4.3 SW) for £160 which I was considering as a startpoint (and from reading Duncan's Meridian Info - you are correct in that the Z3 board is needed for AC3 decode, but the v6 firmware seems needed for some formats to work right as well).

However, there is also a G61Rsl on there for £600, not sure where a 568 would fit in between (as there are 565's for £300-400 as well! they wouldn't leave much room on price).

Also a forum member has a G61R which I'm going to have a look at in a couple of days - I'm hoping that's as good as described as it's my favoured option

Thanks for everyone's tips/comments,
Mark