Asa,

"You do not have to use a processor with 8000s, and most of what you are complaining about seems to be the result of using a processor. Meridian DSP speakers are amazing and well worth making the effort to find out how they work and what they consist of. "

I never said that the 8000s weren't amazing. They are great speakers! I also understand that you do not need a processor. My comments aren't complaints either - they are observations. I think that plain stereo from my G68 sounds more realistic than Meridian surround sound simulations for music material.

Crion,

You may be right for my system. My center channel is matched but not of the same size. I did audition the 8000s with an 8000 center though. They sounded great, but the Magicos were vastly superior when it comes to realism. Since going with a server source, I'm thrilled enough with the stereo image that I don't feel compelled to buy a large center.

Ronnie,

You seem incensed at my comments. What for? As a forum do I not have the opportunity to share my experience just like everyone else? At no point did I act like I was the only one who had heard a passive system or used a Meridian processor purely for DA conversion. I've also made it clear that this is my opinion. My point to Chris was that I have no interest in what Bob Stuart has to say or write about his solutions. I'm only interested in the results. The same applies to other high end dealers who give very elaborate reasons for why their offering is better than all else. My listening experience is a fact for me alone, and I am dismissive of the idea that viewing a video explanation of how something works will change my opinion of what I am actually hearing. I'm keen to hear the experience of others who have turned off DSP and upsampling. I also appreciate points like what Crion has to make that might explain my experience.

Frank,

"You obviously don't understand what resolution enhancement is or does. Take some time to learn what it is and what it does before you condemn it. That way you won't have to rely on hunches."

I do not understand exactly what resolution enhancement is, hence why I asked those questions. What I do know is that to my ears the sound is smoother and not necessarily better. I also know that an upsampled 16bit recording will not have the same data as a 24bit recording of the exact same performance. So if I have two 24bit songs (one a recording and the other upsampled), what am I hearing in terms of detail being presented? Yes there is beneficial filtering, but what else is going on? Is there anything being added where a 24bit recording would have original data from the actual performance? I can't find a detailed white paper on Meridian's website.

Anyway it comes down to what I hear and not about what I read. A 24bit recording is not the same as an upsampled 16bit recording, and in my experience upsampling does not always yield preferable results from 16 bit recordings.


Last edited by Meridian Fanz; 2009-01-23 01:23.