568 how much better than 561

pidge22

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Having considered a number of options about a replacement for my Meridian 561 I have now discounted the Tag Av32r-192-bp-dp following a pretty awfull audition yesterday, 2 channel audio was awful.
So I will now probably go for a 568.1 as it seems impossible to get a .2 less than 2k.
The problem is that it will be a few months till I can upgrade to a .2 will I see a significant improvement in the 568 versus the 561 in the meantime?
I will not use the balanced outputs (as my Parasound 2205a has not got balanced inputs) nor the Video switching.

Thanks Pidge22
 
Pidge, keep hold of the 561 for now, and buy a 568.2 when you can afford it...going to the .1 spec is hassle imho....568.2's go for anywhere between £1700-£2000, don't bother going with a half-way house if you know you want the .2

Both the 568.1 and 568.2 are significant upgrades imho over the 561 imho...
 
Agree with Matt about going straight to a 568.2, this is where I will might upgrade to once I have sorted a new PJ and room out. Have you considered the AV8 and Halo?

I haven't heard a 568.1 but by all accounts it is a definate step up from the 565/561. The 568.2 is much better than my 565, likewise the new G series is really special, if funds allow I may go for that once the teething problems are sorted.

Gus
 
What do you think of a Halo c2 as an alternative to a 568.2 it seems to get good reviews for 2 channel audio?
Pidge22
 
Got your PM mate. Definately consider the C2. It's significantly better than the 568 for movie sound imho. To me the 568 sounded a bit dull and not as entertaining or exciting. TBH thought the comparison maybe a but unfair given the 568 is quite an old model now.

I didnt do a comparison for stereo playback but I do recall liking the sound of the 568 connected to my CD33. I am not much into stereo listening at home but the trifield mode on the Meridian was rather engaging.

The 568.2 is supposed to be a significant improvement over the 568 and for movie sound that may be the way to go.
 
Thanks Rags following yours and Smurfin's feedback I think I have narrowed my shortlist to one! the 568.2!
Cheers Pidge22
 
pidge22 said:
I think I have narrowed my shortlist to one! the 568.2!

I would suggest you try and hear the 568.2 with v2.12 and v2.5(beta) software if music is a priority. Others may have a different opinion, however for me v2.12 software fared better for music than the beta v2.5, conversely, I preferred v2.5 for AV rather than v2.12.
 
I don't know if you use your 561 for AV switching, but you may like to consider a 562V2 or V3 if you do eventually go for the 568.2. The difference between the V2 and V3 is that V3 also includes component switching and V3's are quite rare and £££. V2 still are not that common and make sure that you do not confuse a 562V with V2.0 software as a 562V2. I would not recommend a plain 562V if you are using any analogue sources since the 562 (audio only) and 562V did not have analogue passthrough (it did a AD->DA) which is highly desireable when used in conjunction with the higher quality DACs on the 568. The 562V2 and later also included more S-video inputs and a DAC for the tape loop allowing analogue recording of digital only sources - or an analogue feed to a second room.

-Ian
 
Anyone compared the 561/568 to the LINN 5103 in there tests?
 

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