Melding items should increase their item level.

[prymortal]

I still think HQ items should have iLvl +5 to them. Will it alleviate this issue? Not really but it would soften the issue slightly

Actually HQ lvl 70 items are equal to DL lvl 70. (with melds obviously higher stats.)
NQ lvl 70 items are closer to lvl 55 items, with higher stats. You need to look at the defence points, which is what really counts with high level gear.