Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems CES Questions!

Hi John,

Cheers for being our spokesperson yet again!

I think I already know the answer to this one unfortunately but will ask anyway...

Is it possible to upgrade a standard G91 (or G91 DAB for that matter) to the G91A / G91A DAB. It would be a nice interim measure to save me spending out �3.6K on a G68J that may become redundant if no work around for the new audio/visual formats can be made. A little pessimistic I know, but �3.6K is a lot of money to me on a gamble!!

Secondly, I know M won`t comment on new products but could I put forward a keen interest in a 5x200W G series amp - this seems a rather obvious omission from the current line up and would allow a more solid 7x200W set up with the G57.

Thanks

Simon

I would like to know if they're planning to add RS232 control for various surround parameters (rear level, center level, center depth, etc) for the G68. The 861, I notice, has such access through a series of 'APxxx' codes. Having to navigate through six or eight parameters to get to the one you want has been the biggest ergonomic bugaboo for me since day one (eleven years ago) with the M stuff for me.

Ok, this is a tough one and I don't want to see this thread degrade on the topic. And I'll let John decide if he wants to approach these questions and how.

But I think a lot of folks are concerned about lack of firmware updates and access. Even though the really enjoy the products they want to see some sort of relative regular effort to improve and get the most out of their very very expensive systems. This mostly applies to all DVD players.

One other related question to ask them is they wouyld ever consider an upgrade program like Lexicon or DVDO. Even though people can often sell their items for about the same as what they would get on trade in. It gives them a warm and fuzzy feeling that Meridian wants to keep them as customers and keep them current. It's builds a strong long term relationship rather than the current program.

Is M going to the CES? my dealer told me that M is not going this year.

George,

I agree with the sentiment made.

I'm not exactly sure how M can approach this, but, there is definitely a hi-fi wide awakening to the fact that technology has become cheaper and cheaper and the difference between hi-fi and med-fi is getting les and less. Combined with the speed at which the technology changes and the likelihood that we (customers) are unlikely to jump in and get burnt so quickly next time, means that M futures business plan must be quite a challenge in the 0-5 yrs frame.

You only have to look at the numbers of Hikers here who now use PC/streaming devices with less of the niggles than your average 5xx or Gxx player. The cost being in small hundreds of ��� or $$$ rather than multiple thousands.

There may be a difference in SQ but clearly not enough to stem the flow of migrants to squeezebox/turbo gadgets and the like.

Add to this scenario the appalling manner in which the format battle is being played out; the inadvertent sentiments that DVD-A (and SACD) is dead;, the mess that dual-disc is in with much content not actually being hi-res as we'd know it......it goes on.

Of course we are still here and we are likely to buy something every so often but whether it will even resemble something in the M line up is a big question.

I bet this is keeping a few people awake at night in Cambridgeshire.

M will be at CES. Their PR reps have already been pressing us to make appointments.

Kal

MY OBSERVATIONS

A small firm like M with a history of market leading R&D should be nibble enough to keep up and overtake the lumbering giants.

Despite that I don't see much evidence of this happening - I suspect they will milk the R&D they have invested in the G players for too long without focussing enough on the future threat of Slimdevices etc.

I agree that format wars are over as people migrate to "bit perfect" HD based players.

Meridian's real edge will remain with not the source components but its skill with amplification and speakers along with D to A conversion.

My neighbour uses one of their high end stereo power amps and it is truely awsome - Sony, Microsoft or anyone else will find it difficult to challenge them and probably don't want to.

I use DSP speakers - these will survive all the changes of source components (CD, DVD, HD, Web etc). The digital source will prevail and M's unique skill with the DSP speaker will remain an edge.

Cheers and merry Xmas and New Year

Andrew

My observation is that the Meridian management, like so many others before it, got caught out by the necessary (?) rapid expansion of the company. This is particularly true of companies with technical rather than organizational leadership. The transition from less than 100 employees to more than 100 employees is notoriously difficult.

When unplanned rapid expansion occurs, all kinds of problems surface. For instance: you need to hire quicker than you can train; you do not have training materials; you release too many new products without adequate investment in testing and support; no proper beta program; etc. etc.

Meridian appears to be a classic case of a painful company expansion and what's scary is how easily the symptoms are recognizable outside of the company...

Maybe John could mention that quite a number of dedicated M customers, namely a large % of us hhikers have these concerns over the company's expansion.

It would obviously have to be put very tactfully and not as another excuse to winge about dodgy software and upgrade uncertainties but I would hope M would be keen to know how we feel and it might make them think a little - afterall this forum must represent a good 1000 M customers which in turn must represent a not immaterial element of its customer base.

I also think it would be a good idea to mention the aparent differing levels of customer support between the UK and US. Personally, I have been really pleased with M's UK support as seem most here but I haven't heard a good word about them from the other side of the pond...

Or maybe you Americans just have much higher expectations

Cheers

Simon

Guys, Meridian reads this forum on a regular basis so regardless of how tactfully I might put this, I guarantee you they will have already seen this thread

Cheers,

I think Meridian's advantage is in their software. While the rapid advance of technology may close the gap at times (like now); the next round of innovation will widen it again. Who knows what the future holds (besides The Shadow?!) Btw- the best thing I can say of Meridian is the people I have met from their company have all been wonderful. The second best thing I can say is the products are so good that I have not wanted to see what is out there for an upgrade. How many brand X products inspire you to just sit down and listen and not look for the latest & greatest?

Best regards and Happy Holidays,
Jerry

I think Meridians advantage is in their equipments sound quality.
Software bugs and the slow corrections in so expensive equipment would be absolutely out of the question for a japanese company. For my personal use I like the digitals out very much. In fact that's the reason why I own a Meridan processor. And if there will be a 7.1 analogue or two inputs I will buy a new processor directly.
A G62 would be my wish for the future.

Happy Holidays
Harry