Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Hardware upgrade of the G68 processor family ?

I'm told the 808 is better than the 800 because there is no video.
However the 800 already has video and HDMI so adding a HDMI switch to it should not be detrementaly to it. Plus it still keeps HDMI out of the 861 processor.

I concure that Bob knows his stuff, but marketing and politics are very powerfull persuaders.

I have an 800 that can decode DD and DTS but not from an external source, I have a 861 that can upscale, but even if I add the new HD621 I still can't decode DD to LPCM and let the 861 upscale it. It all seems a bit disjointed still.

I guess that why I'm looking at a speaker upgrade and not at HD621 right now. [/quote]

There's no question that adding D8k's to your system would be a SERIOUS Performance Upgrade. Cost �29k for a pair

NAS Streaming would be a serious Convenience Upgrade for most music. Cost say �1-�2k depending on a number of factors

However, adding a HD621 along with a relatively cheap Bluray Player (Panasonic BD55 or Sony BDP550) would allow you enjoy far Superior Video AND Audio Performance from Bluray than you currently enjoy from DVD's on the 800.

Using the Bluray player to Decode DD/DTS will also you Upsample in the Meridian Processor

In addition, George Mills posted an Amazon list of Bluray MUSIC High Def Titles which is actually quite comprehensive. High Def music (as you probably know) is a Joy on Meridian's System

Total Cost of HD621 plus Bluray, probably �1,800

In terms of Bang for your Buck, there is a place for a HD621 and Bluray in your Upgrade Plans

P.S. In case you're wondering why I'm suggesting a new Bluray Player, I don't believe that your LX-70 has been Updated to allow Internal Decoding of TrueHD and especially DTS-MA. If that has changed recently by a Firmware Update, then you have no need to replace your existing Pioneer

" Using the Bluray player to Decode DD/DTS will also you Upsample in the Meridian Processor "

A good time to dust off the old HD-DVD player perhaps ?? Generally speaking DVD playback is much better than BD players . Upscaled picture and Upsampleable (!) decoded DD/dts .

~M~

Yeah I'm baffled why Meridian is so tough on this. You can also shut Video circuits off when not in use.

Excluding the 808 and its lack of Video circuits, most of the negative comments I've heard from Meridian have related to HDMI Video, not necessarily Video in of itself

From the outset, Meridian (and many other mid to high end manufacturers) have never been the greatest fans of the HDMI interface for Video or Audio and they believe it introduces "issues" into their Processors that they do not want in there. Hence the presence of HDMI on many of their Players for 4+ years now, but still no HDMI on their Processors

So it's more of an Anti-HDMI sentiment than an Anti-Video sentiment

Since you can't understand the difference in the first place, I simply will not go into this, and leave all this to you....

Since you obviously can't discuss things without being rude in the process (I can't be the only one who has thought that about your posts) I am sure many of of us are glad of this.

Cheers,

Tony.

It's very disappointing there's no G91 upgrade path (or support for that matter when it's faulty as I discovered). So, what to do ? - I just listen to music in stereo.

For me the answer was a DEQX HDP3 (new model) into a valve preamp.
This gives me a true high-end sound. The "Meridian" sound colouring has gone. The previous G91 DAC-preamp sound is just weedy in comparison. So it was a great upgrade. Comparing DACs - HDP3 is way smoother and realistic.

Interestingly my modded Pioneer 575A playing CDs seems to now match the G91, while SACDs are superior on the Pioneer. It's great to see technology moving on and possibilities for a much lower-cost top-end systems.

Next upgrade is to trade the G91 for a true DSD player. There's no doubt in my mind that PCM can provide huge resolution (eg. some of the latest Bluray 24/192 recordings) but it throws away mid-range harmonics (like DVD-Audio). Maybe that will change one day but it does seem a PCM technology limitation that Blu-Ray persists in retaining.

DEQX equipment and speakers have gotten good reviews. I'm glad you found something you like. Good listening.

Don't the Benchmark DAC-1 and the Meridian G68 both use the same DAC chips - the Analog Devices AD1853?

I am surprised you say you have no support for your "Faulty G91" as I have found Meridian Support exceptional. They have repaired kit way beyond my expectation and always have been very helpfull.
I know others will back me here. What troubles havnt they sorted for you?
Cheers, Chris

I don't know which DACs the G91 uses compared to other components but using single ended analog I never considered very high end and should not be used as a broad brush over what Meridian has to offer.

If you want to hear the best compare G68XXV or 861/OA13's or Meridian DSP Speakers.

The 'no support for a faulty G91' is an interesting one. I had one sent back via the supplying dealer for basically freezing up and doing strange things. It was returned via the dealer (who didn't check it)behaving a little better but still having the main fault. It went back via the dealer again and was again returned to the dealer after being 'fixed'. This time, following the first experience, the dealer did check it and it was again still displaying the same fault. To Meridians credit, when the dealer returned it again they simply sent me a new one because they could not find the cause of the fault (in essence, freezing when trying to navigate the OSD for set-up purposes). However, I have to question the level of testing if they couldn't see it was still faulty on two occasions.