Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Dilemma 5500 24/96 vs 6000 18 bit

I have a G61, very happy with it, also happy with my 5500 24/96. I recently have the opportunity to upgrade to the DSP6000 but we believe these are the 18bit version.

Clearly I can't rely on AI, but Gemini is telling me that for numerous reasons, the 18 bit 6000 will be better than the 24/96 5500. I'm very happy with the realism, resolution, etc. of the 5500's but if anyone thinks the 18 bit 6000s are a better choice, I'm open minded.

And I run into that can't really use the 24/96 if they are 18bit because if any speaker in the chain is not 24.96 it won't put out HS.

Can anyone chime in on this?

Thanks

I have used a pair of 18bit 5500 for a long time and I really enjoyed them. Bought a pair of ATC scm20asl on the side but sold those.

The Meridians sounded just so much more juicy but with insight. I have compared a pair of DSP5000 24/96 with a pair of DSP5000 18bit and found the difference to be smaller than I expected.

I went from DSP7200SE to 8000SE and found the difference significant.

The 7200SE is much more refined speaker than the 5500, but the configuration is similar. So I think that the configuration of the speaker matters more than the resolution of the DAC. The DSP6000 is an impulse corrected (drivers on both sides of the enclosure) system with a sealed box. I suspect it will load room modes more evenly and has faster, more realistic bass. So in my opinion, in this case AI may have been right.

You might also consider age of tweeter fluid and capacitors. If these are old, the 6Ks might not sound their best, factor that in to any negotiations.

I recall @VirusKiller having great things to say about 18 bit versions of something, I don't recall which speakers. As always, let your ears decide.

Good addition, I actually replaced the tweeters of my DSP5500 once.

I've done this exact upgrade- 24/96 5500s to 18-bit 6000s, and I would do again without hesitation.

There is a difference between 18-bit vs. 24/96, but it is more subtle. As in your case, I had to run my 24/96 center and 24/96 surrounds in 18-bit mode, but the overall change was worth it. To me the 6000s are much more refined, with better imaging, precision and much tighter bass. Once I experienced the 6000s, there was no going back and I eventually upgraded to 24/96 6000s and all was 24/96 again.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss more.

Glad to hear you went through exact same thing. I'm just scared because it's a great deal, and it's not that I'm unhappy with my 5500. I can also definitely hear a difference in placement, tone, "realism", air when turning HS on or off on my 5500s when listening to 24/96 classical pieces. So I just wanted to make sure I wasn't downgrading.

If anyone else runs into this, just make sure the tweeters are refurbished with ferrofluid and it's a no-brainer as was stated. I couldn't be happier.