THE BEST JUST GOT BETTER! MYRYAD UNVEILS THE NEW MDP500 G6 DIGITAL PREAMPLIFIER PROCESSOR – AND THE UPGRADE ‘KIT’ FOR THE ORIGINAL MDP500…

Yes, it is indeed possible to improve on perfection! While maintaining its peerless pedigree, the new MDP500 G6 processor brings the original MDP500 bang up to date.

Readers of this Newsletter will recall that the MDP500 garnered the prestigious “What Hi-Fi?” Best Buy Awards in the UK in both 2000 and 2001, as well as the Stereophile Guide To Home Theater Gold Award in 2001, with Dolby Labs already having chosen it to help launch their new DVD-Audio format at the Consumer Electronics Show 2000 in Las Vegas. Already hailed and applauded on both sides of the Atlantic as ‘the best in the world’, the best just got better!

The G6’s new DSP module delivers a whole raft of processing features, including Dolby Digital EX (6.1/7.1 processing of Dolby Digital Surround EX material), DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 (6.1/7.1 processing of DTS-ES Matrix material), DTS Neo:6 (6.1/7.1 processing of DTS 3/2.1 material and synthesis from 2-channel material in Neo:6 Cinema or Music Mode), DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 (6.1/7.1 processing of DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 material), Dolby Pro-Logic II, and a proprietary Surround 6.1 – which offers 6.1/7.1 processing of any 5.1 encoded material.

The upgraded system offers 24bit/96kHz analogue-digital and digital-analogue converters for all channels, radically improving analogue stereo performances, while frequency response is up on the original MDP500 from 20kHz to 40kHz, with an increased signal-to-noise ratio of around 6dB. The most useful ‘synthesised’ surround modes, Natural and Party, are also improved, and Dolby Pro Logic II Music mode decoding allows user adjustment of ‘panorama’, ‘centre width’ and ‘dimension’ settings.

Meanwhile, for installers, we have ensured that the G6 is now one of the most custom install-friendly units currently available, with a whole host of new control functions, too numerous to mention here.

The new MDP500 G6 is available in silver or black fascia.

Finally, owners of the original MDP500 can now buy a kit to upgrade their unit – details from your local distributor – although a qualified Myryad retailer should install it.

MEANWHILE, GREAT NEW REVIEWS CONTINUE TO ABOUND…

First, Hi-Fi Choice magazine reviews the already much admired Z-120 DVD Player and reports:

• The Z-120 is designed for the CD-loving audiophile who wants a good stereo sound but doesn’t want a DVD player and CD player in the same rack
• The Z-120 behaves as a good CD player should and that alone gives it most of its high star rating. It is, for a DVD player, keenly dynamic with an extended, detailed yet not over-bright treble, with coherent rhythmic abilities and a tight, lean bass.
• It even has an innate sense of timing, a quality that is almost impossible to find in DVD players unless you are fortunate enough to be able to afford top-table prices. Its DVD replay is also very fine.
• It is good for video and well above average with music – it gets closer than most DVD players to producing good quality CD sound.

Next, the Z-140 Integrated Amplifier starts to make its impact too. September’s Hi-Fi Choice writes:

• the Z-140 integrated is a slim-line 50 watt beauty with one of the cleanest fascias we’ve encountered
• it quickly showed what an extra £100 can achieve if carefully spent. It brings more space, greater realism and more all-round integrity to the party
• it has a clean delivery that makes musical lines easier to follow…. the amp resolving the way the player emphasised certain notes to give the music fluency and precision
• the Z-140 has remarkable grip and tightness in the bass
• it made a very positive impression right from the start
• the Arcam and Rotel come close for considerably less money, but if you want an amp that will serve you through several speaker upgrades this Myryad is a great buy
• a meticulously engineered, highly competent and remarkably stylish little amp that delivers the goods musically whatever your taste. Not as powerful as some at the price but quality is the name of the game and this has it in spades

Have you auditioned the Z-Series yet? If not, you have a treat in store…