Meridian 808

[chan130]

http://www.meridian-audio.com/p_808.htm - Meridian 808/808i Signature Reference CD Player
http://www.audioholics.com/cedia/ced...eridian808.php - Audioholics [UK forum] press release
http://www.beststuff.com/article.php3?story_id=7126 - Best Stuff article

lists for $12,995 USD ($14,850 for the 808i version)

 

[Mr.Radar]

Holy ****'ing ****. That' is one monster of a CD player. I wonder how it sounds.

 

[Welly Wu]

probably better than anything you've ever heard...probably...

 

[Mr.Radar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu probably better than anything you've ever heard...probably...

That wouldn't be too hard to acheive as the best I've heard are my stock Toshiba and Chaintech.

 

[Gopher]

at the risk of being vulgar: I've got wood. I'd heard of the 800 series, but never seen a good pic. As a former Meridan owner, and one who intends to break into the G-0_ series within the next year, I can only imagine how that thing sounds.

 

[kunwar]

from what I have heard from our local hifi guru who auditioned it in england on his previous trip, he reckons Meridien might have outdone themselves this time and he reckons the title for the best CD player around has a verys trong new contender

Remember I haven't heard this but the person who has told me is a very reliable and experienced owner of quality products. He did mention that the player is from ground up a meridien design and not based on any other topology/design influences.
currently his rig runs the Linn Sondek CD12 with some very nice Gallo's and Norh speakers in them.

 

[Canman]

I listened to one of the 800 series CD players on Meridian's top line speakers at Stereo Exchange in NYC. It was an absolutely incredible system. I have no doubts that the new 808 has potential for the title of "King of CD players"

 

[andrzejpw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Radar Holy ****'ing ****. That' is one monster of a CD player. I wonder how it sounds.

It's a 13k meridian. It probably sounds pretty good

.

 

[warubozu]

Man, wonder how much that thing weighs.

 

[Tuberoller]

already working on a loaner

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuberoller already working on a loaner

Should have figured as much

I guess we begin waiting for your beast report, assuming the wifre doesn't blow her top when you lug this baby home!

 

[AuroraProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chan130 lists for $12,995 USD ($14,850 for the 808i version)

It had better sound pretty @#$%&* sweet for that chunk-o-change.

 

[ayt999]

nice. a $13k MP3 player.

 

[remilard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayt999 nice. a $13k MP3 player.

Yeah I think I would kill someone who played mp3s on one of these. I wonder how many people buying a cdp in this price range would really want that as a feature?

 

[tk_suki]

While a minor criteria, MP3 is nice to have in the CDP, for me more so than DVD-A or SACD(coz of the cost/performance impact vs function). While I OF COURSE prefer the WAV format, I do like to make MP3 mixes via EAC/Lame insane or even extreme, nothing lower. These are handy for ambient music, when critical listening is not part of the activity. Example, cleaning, cooking and many other activities where swapping a CD after less than an hour is not desired.

I am enjoying the G08 immensely and it does support MP3. And MP3 sounds much better on the G08 then through my DVD players with MP3 capability and PC well prefer not to use for music. Though for the times I use MP3 may not matter since non-critical listening. but like the G08 remote better and overall handling better, quieter etc...

So while the G08 is a modest version, if it proves worth it to upgrade to 808, I would on occaission still use the MP3, of course sparingly but... nonetheless since there why not. Again not a make or break feature for buying decision, but for occaissional use ...?

*Tuberoller - already working on a loaner *
You have my attention! Especially interested coz you can contrast 808 to the G08 with the Stealth.

Darn just when I thought my upgraditis was dormant for a while and safe for lurking for some mild amusment on the forums, and could spend more modestly on music, which adds up BTW! Well might need a new cart in less than a year but ... see that as a minor refurbishment albeit $500 - $1K+ certainly not $10K. Hmm maybe I should run-away b4 this gets expensive. Wish I could get a loaner, or then again maybe not coz likely would be to tempting after tasting.