According to Todd's email to me on 19 Oct., it was supposed to be in Nevada, then out to Calli, then to someone on the east coast, then to me. :600smile:
Really wish that Meridian made a stand alone DAC version.
Overall, more detailed than my Bel Canto DAC2+, flatter bass, and more transparent.
Sound is less upfront, though, but I find it best for classical music. The G08 is not as warm as my Bel Canto, so the G08 is quite neutral.
Treble is very smooth.
Synergy, let's talk synergy. Well, let's just say my main two headphones like warm sources. The K1000 likes the G08 better than my R10's. But, I mainly like the K1000's with the G08 for classical music. They are somewhat less "involving" with mid range tones like with female vocals, especially. My R10's have better synergy with a warmer source, so it's not really a great match for the G08 in my system either.
However, the Sennheiser HD650? Oh boy, now that is another story. The HD650's and the G08 are an awesome match. The HD650's nearly unmatched bass quality and accuracy are jaw dropping with the G08. For accurate/powerful bass, oh man, I've never heard timpani drums sound/feel so real from headphones.
And of course there is the build quality. Absolutely top notch. It's a beautiful mix of aluminum and glass top. Very solid, you know you are holding something expensive when you pick it up.
Thanks so much for loaning out the G08 for all of us.
I am really really liking the Cardas Golden Reference cables.
Too bad I can't justify buying cables that cost more than the DAC it would be attached to.
Perhaps when I upgrade later...
-Ed
You should take a look at the Cardas Neutral Reference cables. I got them when I got the XR-2 demo from todd. They actually aren't that far behind the golden reference cables. Plus i've seen them in the $200-$250 range used for a 1m pair.
__________________ Team AKG!
Home Rig: Monster Power HTS3500MKII => Eastsound CD-E5 => Grover UR6 Reterminated w/ Eichmann Silver Bullets => Single Power Extreme Platinum => AKG K1000s / Sennheiser HD-595s
Should I jump in or not on this deal? Is there some sort of deadline? $75 USD for air shipping is cheap in my wallet. I don't need the cables because I got them, but I'll baby them too. The Neutral Reference sounds sort of similiar to the Golden Reference, but it lacks that "golden magic" sound. I created a thread about it somewhere on Head-Fi, but I'm lazy to find it now.
I heard the Meridian G08 for about 1 hour. I still find my ModWright LLC Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi to be smoother with more resolution, but 2 weeks is nice to have a high end Red Book CD player only. I don't like the sound of upconversion or upsampling, but hey, it's a Meridian so exceptions must be made and auditioned. I live in West Orange, New Jersey 07052.
So? Can I sign up even at this time? Should I do this? Maybe I should not because I might buy it as I am looking at my bank accounts and the money is available. Ugh.
Mr. Todd Green, please send me a Meridian G08 for a audition period of two weeks. I would prefer to receive shipment of this unit sometime in January or February 2006. No rush. Whatever cables you send, I will not need, but I will take care excellent stewardship of everything you send me as if it were my own. I will publish impressions and perhaps a review. Too bad it is not a universal DVD player. My e-mail address is wellywu@gmail.com.
The Neutral Reference sounds sort of similiar to the Golden Reference, but it lacks that "golden magic" sound. I created a thread about it somewhere on Head-Fi, but I'm lazy to find it now.
Linear Mode
