The New Kid on the Block
The front panel of the 598 DVD-Audio player closely resembles that of Meridian's 596 DVD-Video machine. Only the blue (instead of turquoise) On/Off switch hints at the differences that lie within. Meridian sent me the 598DP ($5595), with progressive-scan video component outputs and the MHR Smart Link digital DVD-A connection for use with the 568.2MM.

Actually, there are four different versions of the Meridian 598. In addition to the 598DP, the 598DC ($5195) offers the same digital audio outputs but lacks progressive capabilities. The 598AP ($5995) has only analog outputs for DVD-A and progressive-scan video outputs; and the 598AC ($5495) offers analog DVD-A outputs combined with interlaced video. Your choice of configuration will depend on the other components in your home-theater system.

If you need external video switching, the newly revised Meridian 562V.3 multimedia controller offers a pair of component inputs, as well as myriad other input and output options.

Sound
After I'd installed the new Meridian 568.2MM and 598DP, it took only a few minutes to configure the system using a borrowed PC and Meridian's Windows-based setup program. At first I was more aware of the 568 and 568.2MM's similarities than of any differences between them. Meridian's consummate musicality and ergonomic elegance made it possible to enjoy any musical source to its fullest, be it an old monophonic LP or a brand-new DVD-A disc.

Regardless of the source, Meridian's DSP functions also let me custom-tailor the sound. Faith Hill's latest DVD-A, Cry (Warner Bros. 48001-9), is a good example. Surround mixer Elliot Scheiner opted not to use the center channel, which moves Hill's voice from the front of the soundstage to deep within the mix. Using the Meridian's Ambisonic music mode, I could restore the center channel and move Hill's voice back to where it was on the original 2-channel CD—front and center.

The Grateful Dead's American Beauty (Rhino R9 74385) also benefited from the Ambisonic treatment, which made this recording sound more immediate, intimate, and involving. The Discrete mode, which adds no DSP processing, let me hear all the natural ambience of such well-recorded multichannel DVD-As as Zubin Mehta conducting Mahler's Symphony No.2 (Teldec 4509-94545-9).

I've had other DVD-Audio players in my system, but until I heard the 568.2MM and 598DP combination, I never realized how fine DVD-As can sound. Eliminating the sonically hobbling effects of converting from digital to analog and back again, and not having to settle for a DVD-A player's primitive bass-management system, sonically liberated DVD-As to a degree that must be heard to be fully appreciated. The MHR Smart Link made any other DVD-A connection sound like two Dixie cups and a length of string.

Image
Meridian opted not to include a 480p output on their 596 DVD player. Their rationale was that anyone buying a Meridian system already owns or is planning to buy an outboard image processor to upsample video sources to 480p or greater. Having since realized that many owners and potential owners didn't have or want an outboard processor, Meridian has included a 480p output on the 598DP. To optimize the video output, Meridian uses Faroudja's Directional Correlational Deinterlacing (DCDi) motion- and color-correction circuitry. (Those who have displays with good onboard deinterlacers and scalers—including the increasing number that also incorporate DCDi circuitry—might well save money by choosing one of the interlace-only 598s.)

The resulting picture looked as good as any 480p output I've seen. Because my Faroudja Native Rate digital video processor is set for 720p, all 480p sources look slightly soft by comparison—but the Meridian 598DP's color fidelity, lack of motion artifacts, and overall picture quality gleaned all that can be expected from a 480p signal.

Compared with the EAD DVDMaster 8000 and my Toshiba SD-3109 modified with the Cine-metrix output board, the Meridian 598DP held its own. I saw minor differences in color palettes between the EAD and the Meridian—the EAD having slightly more color saturation at its middle setting—but their resolution was identical. The Toshiba SD-3109 is ever so slightly sharper when set to 525p output, but the Meridian 598DP did a better job of minimizing motion artifacts than the Cinemetrix board.

Good, Better, Best
The latest incarnation of Meridian's 568 processor, the 568.2MM, maintains its forebear's levels of ergonomic and sonic quality. Coupled to the new 598DP DVD-Audio player via Meridian's MHR Smart Link, the 568.2MM let me hear the full sonic potential of DVD-Audio discs. This alone makes the combination worthy of the highest accolades. I warn you, even a short audition of the 568.2MM/598DP combo may well leave you with a longing that can be assuaged only by ownership.