Meridian triple-beam lasers

[HiFiJones]

In article <3bniqj$i...@tolstoy.lerc.nasa.gov>, dros...@osf1.gmu.edu (Dirk
L Rossouw) writes:

(Of his curiosity regarding the Meridian 500/563 separate transport/DAC
combo vs. the 508 all-in-one unit.)

As a dealer, I like larger sales, but as an audiofool, I have to express
my preference for the 508 single unit. Advantages:

1. One less digital interconnect.
2. Same clock.
3. One less black box cluttering the room and signal path.
4. A lot cheaper.

Disadvantages:

1. Slightly less beefy power supply, all things considered.
2. Less flexibility in DAC upgrades. (Come to think of it, this may be
an advantage.)

I think the sonic differences are subtle at best. (Admission that my
perspective is recently skewed: It seems to me the Legion of Golden
Muses' rhapsodies about the "major differences" among X, Y & Z components
are utterly eclipsed by the move to three or more channels. Never have I
heard an amp, preamp, cable, source or any other single change make
anywhere near as dramatic a difference as going from basic stereo to a
good multi-channel presentation. And BTW, going multi-channel is in many
cases cheaper.)

Personally, I'm sick as hell of the DAC of the month club, and I agree
with Sam Tellig: Get the 508 and drop out awhile. Spend the extra bucks
on music, dip back into the scene in a couple of years and see what's
what.

Ken Askew
Alchemedia Digital Systems

[uafdl]

In article <3btk3m$o...@tadpole.fc.hp.com>, HiFiJones <hifi...@aol.com> wrote:
>
>As a dealer, I like larger sales, but as an audiofool, I have to express
>my preference for the 508 single unit. Advantages:

i used to have meridian 206 itself and with varioud DAC combo..
recently, i picked up used kinergetic KCD20(no digital output).

the kinergetic beats any combination of meridian by FAR!
a lot smoother, details, timbral accuracy is there.
no fatigue at all.
no competition. period.

btw, i had A/B listening at local dealer for 508 and mimik
w/ all meridian 500 series gears.

508 makes better sence in sound stages, but in the other areas
are pretty much comparable...(mimik is ~$1000 less)

and i prefer 206 than 508...in terms of smoothness and musicality.

- jae

[Andrew Hume <andrew@research.att.com> 0112710]

i completely agree with ken askew. these days, i do most of my
listening in a system with a fosgate 3A as the preamp. the differences
between various modes completely dominates CD player differences
(even though some of those were quite audible).

andrew hume