Specifications

Bob Stuart answers Questions about the Meridian 598
Page 9
47 What about playability?
Playability is a measure of the player’s ability to cope with discs that have errors,
manufacturing defects, fingerprints or surface damage.
DVD is incredibly robust regarding errors and has 1000 times more protection than CD. The
drive used in the 598 is superb at playing DVD. Of course, you can put a huge fingerprint on a
DVD that causes problems! See Q. 48.
CD provides less protection against disc scratches or manufacturing defects. The drive used
in 598 has powerful error correction, and our system operation, which allows multiple re-reads
of the data, improves this even more. Our experience with this playback method in both 800
and 598 is that it is less troubled by CD defects than any other players we have made.
Of course with either CD or DVD there will be discs with defects that impede smooth playback
in any player – so treat all your discs with care.
48 Do you recommend disc cleaners?
Generally the cleaner the disc is the better the result will be. There are several proprietary
disc cleaners and restorers on the market. We suggest you follow your dealer’s advice. Do
not use inappropriate cleaners on your precious discs.
49 Do I need a decoder that can do DTS?
Not to play DVDs. The 598 has the ability to decode DTS from DVD to either two or 5.1
channels. This discrete decoded audio can be passed to your surround controller.
If you wish 598 can pass the bitstream to an external decoder such as the Meridian 568.2 or
861 and you will need such a decoder to play DTS CDs. See Qs. 41 and 42.
50 Do I need an decoder capable of MPEG?
No. The 598 decodes 2ch or multichannel MPEG streams internally. If you wish 598 can pass
a bitstream to an external decoder like the Meridian 568.2 or 861.
Connections…?
51 What audio outputs are available?
The Meridian 598 has two output options to provide multichannel audio in either analogue or
digital form. See Q. 2.
Both versions provide an Auxiliary 2-channel digital output that can be used as a second input
to the surround decoder or to supply sound to a second zone. See Q. 52.
The multichannel digital output supplies two separate connections: Three coaxial outputs
which can feed a Meridian 861 and a 15-way D connector which can connect to the Meridian
568.2 using either the cable supplied with the decoder or a standard VGA cable.
The multichannel digital output supports MHR Smart Link, Meridian’s proprietary smart
encrypted connection which has been officially sanctioned for DVD-Audio content. See Q. 53.
The second option provides fixed level multichannel analogue output on 6 phono sockets.
The output conversion always uses the highest possible sampling rate and uses 192kHz 24bit
DACs with a new highly transparent analogue output stage.