Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Thread Like Summary - Finally, a "made man" and new member: Directives for firmware requested!

Hello to one of THE best forums that I have lurked and learned from since the days of the 561 that I got many years ago to replace a venerable Lexicon MC-1. Truly one of my favorites in all of hi-fi and home theater kingdom. Since having the 561, I have had a number of processors and receivers over the years but have always had my closest connection to Meridian Digital Theatre ever since hearing the 861v2 and DSP8000's at a high-end store that featured, PMC and Wilson amongst others.

Fast forward and now I am blessed to own second hand, DSP6000 24/96, DSP5500HC, DSP33, D2500x2 to team up with a G68J I already had. Oh! I have a 861v2 as well but have heard that the G68J has more potential and more up to date.

A couple of questions to the vets around here:

Should I stay with the G68J with the set of speakers I have to take better advantage of the features that it promotes? If so, I have firmware version, 1.36 IIRC. Would love to be pointed to the right direction to an updated firmware for the G68J.

As for the 861, I think I have the latest legacy firmware version for version 2. Looking for the best sonics of course but also for features that would better take advantage of what the DSP6000's could provide.

A huge thanks in advance for the assist!

Merry Christmas, fellow Unplug'ers!

This is a matter of taste, of course, and room setup - but I would recommend trying your setup minus the subs. The 6k's are much more than capable of supplying plenty of low end - and they do it in way that I haven't heard from the 2500's (I took mine out of the system, in fact).

You can always just add them in if you want.

I would fully agree with Steve, a man who knows what he is talking about and can back it up!

I was once in the same position as you, upgraded to an 861v2 from a 561, I eventually I sold it and bought a G68 as this was the most cost effective method of achieving surround sound from un-compressed PCM sources (via an HD621).

If you are only using compressed sources (DTS, Dolby Digital etc.) the 861 is virtually impossible to improve upon and was even a 'reference' at a very well known Post Production facility in the US at that time.

So, take careful note of Steve's suggestions and make the most of your chosen setup.

Paul.

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

You have a very good system. The speakers are probably the best of the legacy equipment and will be hard to beat.

With regards to processors, I would probably go with the G-Series, only because it is slightly more modern and will give you room correction. If you had a later version of the 861 (v4 or above), I would go with that.
It would be worth rigging up the two processors and comparing them side by side, as the 861 (even in its earlier versions) is a fantastic processor.

Drop me a PM, and I can sort out the latest version of the firmware for the G68.

It is also worth getting all the equipment serviced. The speakers would seriously benefit from a re-cap and it is worth checking on the state of the PSU and capacitors in the G68, as they have a nasty habit of going pop and creating expensive door stops!

Good luck,

Steve