Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems My system sounds digital.. Help!

Thanks. No the 800 is the latest version and it has a better clock installed. It is a fine unit and is versatile in handling DVD & DVD-A (of which I've given up on) but, disappointingly, does not compare to a couple of other modded CD players here. I still use it for all DVDs, but not for CDs any more, all of which makes it a very expensive DVD player!

But it has made the system here excessively complex with a component video switcher needed to handle 4 component inputs + a digital switcher (also highly modified by Steve Nugent) requited to feed 4 digital inputs into the Benchmark DAC 1. I've just about given up trying to tidy up the rats nest of cables interconnecting the 20 audio & video front end components. And that is before connecting up to 8 amplifiers & 13 speakers (8 of them electrostats). With some nutting out, it is all controllable with a Home Theatre Master 800 programmable remote, but only just!!!

John

John (Tassie):

I'm sorry, but with nothing else changing but the room, then it's the room that's the issue in the equation.

So I wholeheartedly disagree that component modification is going to much to resolve the problem, when the problem didn't exist until his gear was moved to a different room.

Just my thoughts

Cheers,

hmm, its a tricky one. I can see both Johns points. The room is the only thing to have changed but on the other hand, the grittiness must have existed in the old room, but that room/listening position was masking it somewhat. Since all sources are affected, logically, would there be any mileage in investing in a 518 to preprocess all sources?

My thinking is that even though cushions and curtains and canvas prints on the wall are yet to go up, and they will, I will still hear grittiness directly from the speakers. Perhaps my proximity is too close, but there isn't anything I can do about that. Would a 518 smooth out the top end a little?

Regarding speaker toe: I have them toed in currently - perhaps I should try not toeing them in? I've not experimented with angling recently.

thanks for all your responses.

Chris

Hi Chris, I am very close to my A500 speakers.
A Very wide aspect set up. My centre M33C is not 2 Mtrs away. I have a 7.1 set up 518/565.

It sounds anything but Digital. Voices sound so warm and textured.
If you get voices right alot else will fall into place.
Terry Wogan on my Pure DAB radio is a good test. Even at the 128 mbps. That show really shines for content and sound quality.
Could this be due to low mains noise early on? I dont know.
If the room treatment solves your problem, surley that is just as valid as adding another component.

You have to treat it as a whole package, You and your ears Ideas and tasts. The recording. The HI Fi, The room, The Mood and the Company on the night.

I find a complete Meridian system (However Humble) delivers its part of the equation every time.

Cheers, Chris

I guess it is difficult to give advice about a problem without hearing it personally but it is hard to see how bad room acoustics could give "grittiness". Bad acoustics could give rise to bad soundstaging, odd resonances, loss of definition, but I still suspect grittiness to be back at the first stage. However that is not decrying the good suggestions for improving the room. This room here is very highly damped and that seems to work well.

Acoustic memory is a very tricky thing and most are unreliable, even for a few moments. This makes the work of the clever salesman so much easier so he can concentrate on selling the product through his pleasant engaging personality. Apologies for the cynicism but I've been caught by this many times in the distant past.

However the improvements which good modders like Steve Nugent can bring have to be heard to be believed. A modder Luddite for years, I failed to accept that manufacturers would not implement such improvements in their products to make them more competitive. The two factors overlooked in this approach are (1) the multiplying effect of even a few cents more have on the end price of a product & (2) most who buy the components would not hear the difference in sound anyway. In turn this could be because they really are immune to detecting poorer sound or have such mediocre associated equipment no one could ever hear it anyway.

Fortunately manufacturers like Meridian have raised the bar somewhat, abeit at a high price. That is where the modders can slip under that radar and offer significantly better results from otherwise ordinary sounding components.

But there I go, rambling off topic yet once again!!

John

I wouldn't say that is wholly off topic to be honest. I find it quite relevant. What I do with that information is the next problem!

Money doesn't grow on trees for me unfortunately, so I have to be careful with what I can afford to do with my audio system.

In your (everyones) experience, is a 518 worth trying? Should I be looking to mains as the source of noise? Would really appreciate some advice as I'm sure my Meridian system should be sounding better than it is. I take the point about acoustic memory though!

thanks

Chris

If you are sticking to 48 Khz stuff then the 518 is just brilliant and you can pick them up for not too much money.
I use one with my 565z3. It expands my digital input count and the sound in 7.1 is just soooooooooooo satisfying.
A 596 would work well for you as a CD and DVD deck, again you can get a real Hi Fi Bargain whilst everyone chases the new format fantasy.

We never had it so good.
Cheers Chris

I've tried the treble set at -1.5 - it takes the edge off, but the graininess is still there. This seems like the wrong move to me.

Could mains noise be the problem?

Chris

The purchase of a 518 provided the greatest single improvement to my system. I paid �500 for mine a year or so ago and IMHO a 518 is still worth that sort of sum. Just compare with the cost of esoteric mains leads - a 518 is great value for money.

Cheers

Mark

I would concur with Chris. Play with a 518. You can always flip it for similar money if it's not for you.
I had one sitting idle that I resurrected to go between an old 508 and a Lyngdorf TDA2200+ feeding some Waterfall Victorias. It sorted out a hard analytical brittleness that I found a little edgy at times.

I've got a RA noise sniffer and found a horrendous amount of noise on the mains from, primarily my Futronix P100, but also a couple of other dimmers in the house. The RA Silencer cannot remove it, although it removes a bit of it. I'm left with constant noise on the mains with the living room lights on.

However, I can't say that I have noticed any difference with the lights on or off - the graininess is still present. So this mains noise is perhaps a red herring, and probably still present at my last house.

I'm going to try using new interconnects made from the same coax that I use to feed my freeview box.