Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 800/G91 is 800 worth the extra money?

Hi, I am new at this forum.
I've just order a 861 today and wondering is worth to go with 800 or G91 is just 95% of it.
I am new to Meridian and don't know much about it. I care its sound much more then its picture. I listen to RBCD in most of the time. The extra money should let me buy a very good RBCD player if I take G91.
Thanks
Stephen

Welcome aboard Stephen and enjoy the forum...

I'm intrigued and perhaps it is because prices are inflated in Australia, over those in the US, but how does someone spend a good sum of money on a Meridian 8 series and not know much about Medidian?

To the average punter, I would have thought there would be a number of other manufacturers that were just as alluring. To someone who is familiar with Meridian, then I can understand the attraction.

Not having a go... just curious

Cheers,

Chris

Stephen,
The 800 is an HW upgradeable transport, the G91 is not.

The 800 is a very fine DVD and RBCD player. The G91 is a very good DVD player and pretty good RBCD (but not the best).

With the coming HD formats I would rather put my money on the 800 if I had the means rather than G91+RBCD transport.

There are several here that can argument for/against the performances of the components, but I think my first paragraph is what I would emphasize.

I did.....

I would also argue that a really good rbcd transport plus outboard clocks might be best so as to avoid the HD / Bluray mumble swerve arguement since you, like me are most interested in the sound not the picture. Get a respectable
DVD and investigate what you can get as far as state of the art rbcd performance.

Hi everyone,
Thank you for the reply to the topic.
Reason for me to go to Meridian 8 is that I hope to combine the HT and music system into a simple system that everyone can use it in my family but it has to be sound good, very good. I've listen to the 861/800 V2 sometime a go.It was very good to me. So I order the 861 without seening it or listen to it. I have not yet order the G91/98 or the 800. Want to give the 861 a try with other DVD and CD player frist. I'd like to know if someone have been compare the G98/91 to the 800.
Thank you
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

IMHO I would opt for a top notch RBCD player/transport due to the fact there is too much uncertainty about the future technologies to commit such huge sums of money on a video machine that may not ever be compatible or upgradeable to HD spec - see my thread on how good is HD?

Of course this also depends on your view and collection of SD DVDs as I doubt there will be an HD player made that will compete with M on SD Discs. Pure speculation of course....

Simon

Stephen

My experience is described in this post
http://www.meridianunplugged.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000667;p=1

In addition to what I describe there I also found significant improvements on the video side using progressive component outputs
A year later I am still totally happy with my choice.

In summary if you can afford the extra $s for an 800 don't hesitate

The loyal members of this forum provide a valuable service for visitors when they provide detailed comparisons of possible choices. The critical word in the last sentence is detailed. Saying that the 800 series is very fine and and the G series is very good, for example, is next to worthless. Pointing out specific differences, either technical or audible, is much better.

Homefuture,

Try visiting your local dealer and give a listen to both units. Also, I'm sure you can manage to get a demo unit to plug into your system and evaluate in your own room.

Let your ears be the judge and support your local dealer who can help you with future upgrades (e.g., trade-in, etc) if you decided to go the G91 route and then move into the 800.