Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G Series 2nd Anniversary

It's now two years since I first received my all-new G Series catalogue hot off the presses from Meridian.

I wondered what everyone's views are on the plus and minus side of ownership (or potential ownership) of the G Series.

For me, primarily wanting a upgradable stereo system to begin with, the lack of a two channel digital preamplifer/controller (G62) and a stand-alone digital/analogue tuner (G04) are major omissions from the G Series range of equipment - enough reason for me not to buy into this 'new' era.

Moreover, it seems incongruous to provide all the necessary equipment to facilitate a stereo analogue system - G01, G08, G56, for example - but not the necessary tools for a stereo digital system - such as G62, G04, G08 - from a company that primarily champions the purity of digital audio.

From this basic digital system (with DSP3100's) I could add either a G61 or G68, together with a G98, alongside extra DSP3100's and SW1600. Now, that would be a real incentive to buy extra equipment over time.

Before anyone says that the G91 meets all these initial requirements, I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket by buying a 'radiogram'. If one component fails (and from experience it will eventually) the whole system is lost while awaiting repairs.

What is more, the continuing discussions on this forum regarding firmware problems on the G91 is a major and continuing cause for concern two years on from its initial launch.

I imagine that M sees the markets for multichannel DSP systems and 2 channel passive speaker systems as quite separate, hence no 562 equivalent in the G range.

The lack of tuners is IMHO due to 2 facts:

1. FM will (in the UK at least) be switched off in the forseeable future, so folk are unwilling to spend a lot on an analogue tuner which won't have anything to tune into in a few years time.

2. Quality of DAB transmissions in the UK is not great, so folk are unwilling to spend a lot on a digital tuner.

Mark S

In the recent Hi-Fi World "Digital Issue", there was an opinion which cast doubt on the future of DAB. Basically, it uses an out-of-date compression algorithm (MPEG2) and pan-European adoption is looking very dodgy. In fact, DAB has been switched OFF in one German state.

Couple that with the fact you can get much better bit-rates via Freeview in the UK...

This also means that its the 2nd anniversary since my 596/598 unit actually worked correctly and reliably

I cant help feeling what with HDMI (multichannel audio capable), Bluray and HD-DVD and the ongoing firmware delivery problems the timing of the G-Series was wrong. I got burned with the 561 ( from the creators of MLP no less ) which had an MLP logo ( which has since become meaningless) but only 1 possible hardware upgrade ( tape card) and only 24/48 capability.

G-Series will be better judged if and when it delivers reliability AND genuine upgradability. If a H Series were to be released in 2006 could G-Series achieve most of that level through upgrades ? I remain sceptical.

~M~

I'm (naively?) prepared to give M the benefit of the doubt for the time-being. They have expanded much more quickly than their organization has been able to cope with - a very common managerial blunder - and we are seeing the results. They need time to resolve their issues, recruit and train more people, etc.

However, if the G-series turns out not to be upgradeable (and I guess we're talking DVD players and processors here), I feel a lot of people will walk away from Meridian. Maybe our expectations have been set too high based on past upgrade paths, but that is all we have had to go on...

VirusKiller,

Good point well made regarding DAB's low bit-rate quality being a minus in Meridian delivering a G04.

I would be more impressed with Meridian in such circumstances if they were to produce a card-based component to facilitate future 'radio' formats as they may appear - a 'digital media processor', if you will.

The customer then has the choice of including analogue or digital terrestrial-based cards, DRM (Digital Radio Mondial), WorldSpace or (ethernet enabled) internet radio (ala Squeezebox) for example, to cater for different market territories around the world.

I think if Meridian wants to stay in this market they had better start offering trade-ins or upgrades. I thought it might be different with the G series but it seems to be, being treated like the 500 series. They used to depend on firmware upgrades to please the customers with new features and bug fixes and even that has been like pulling teeth to get.

I really like DVDO's upgrade programs, regular firmware upgrades (with public beta's) and presence on forums. Their new processors are probably 10-20% better and yet they have loyal customers coming back over and over to give them their money.

The only logical reason for their behavior is folks like us are a fraction of their business. And professional installers to folks with big bucks don't care about "upgrades".

I don't know what you guys are moaning about - my G91 and DSP5200s have worked flawlessly since day 1.

Every time I listen to my system I'm blown away by it's quality.

What more could you want?

Daniel, that's because your day 1 is day 730 for others. And the G91 did not work flawlessly from their day 1...

Glad you love your system!

Well, here is my 2pence worth.

You knew it was comming didnt you?

Dab; I have a �140.00 Tuner "Pure" from "Richer Sounds"
I created my own preset mode I call DABRadio based on the POP mode via 518 565.
It sounds great on BBC channels. The star spots are Radio 3 Late Junction. Radio 2 Terry wogan show. BBC7 Low bit rate Mono but somehow such a warm and satisfying sound. I love a good Radio play or Comedy show. 5 live is possible now, the quality hike over AM is extraodinary.

Critics of DAB seem to spend more time analysing spec over listening to well produced radio shows.
My last �140.00 analog tuner never sounded this good. Do you all remember Pirate Radio? We never had it this good.
If you listen to rubbish compressed commercial radio shows, you deserve all you get IMHO.Ha Ha!!

We live in "Interesting Times" and I dont know how Meridian can completly future proof there products. Who knows whats comming. Enjoy what we have now, its fantastic.

If you buy a Ferrari, TVR, Lotus etc I bet you dont get the uncompromised reliabilty of A Toyota Corrolla, but what you do get is the joy only these top brands can deliver. The problems associated with being on the cutting edge are all part of the charm.
My advice, "Deal with it" and be glad you have the opportunity to enjoy the very best Hi Fi has to offer. People are starving to death somewhere as you read this.

That will stir a few replys I know, sorry and all that.

Happy Christmas all, Chris

C'mon lads, Get im , he's asking for it !!!!



DAB doesn't really effect me so i don't know much , however rolling around the floor like a puppy trying to explain to our guests why my expensive 598 DVD player likes to display a cute little question mark for no reason or why my top-of-the-range 'audio computer' shows DVD and Discrete and bugger all sound emanates from therein without a reboot and/or retype isn't easy or enjoyable.

I don't think it's just me who thinks that they should 'Deal with it '.

There, feel much better now . I'll pour out something lovely and kick Porcupine Tree's arse for the evening in glorious Meridiarama !!

Season's Greetings and Systematic Reliability for the duration to one and all




~M~

I second that! It does suck when guest are over and I have to explain why my 598 doesn't always work quite right. The remarks are "How much did you pay for that?" Man, I hate that! My 598 is better than it was now that I'm using 1.89 firmware though. The silly "?" still pops up when I'm using my remote to access different components. My 598 only crashed twice in the last few months with this new firmware. Before that 1.02 crashed at least once a week sometimes twice a week. Navigating a DVD would really screw things up. Its better than it was now but I can't figure out why M doesn't offer this firmware to more customers? Frustrating!

Ron