Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Restaurant at the End of Universe Hitchhikers - Meridian Equipment FS: Meridian 502, 557, 206; Kef Reference 104.2

502 preamp and 557 power amp are both in excellent condition, available with balanced cables, blanking plugs and system remote.

206 Delta Sigma CD player in good condition and black Kef Reference 104.2s also for sale, in reasonable condition for age.

Offers? Will split as required.

Reason for sale: gathering dust in our sitting room, I never get a chance to listen to music on my main hifi system, so I'm retiring to a little wooden hut.

Bah!

Located in Bognor Regis, happy to demo or deliver a reasonable distance.

* * * * EDIT * * * *

I need to do more research before I can post sensible prices and photos, I think that will take me a couple of days. I've had all the items for between 1 and 2 years, from secondhand, so my starting point should probably be what I paid for them.

If only I'd kept proper records.

Guideline prices, NOT binding:

502, excellent condition - �500
557, excellent condition - �700
206 DS, good condition - �150
MSR, balanced cables, and blanking plugs will be included with the above by negotiation

Kef Reference 104.2s, fair condition - �200

Carriage at cost although I'd prefer collection by buyer or delivering by car (100 mile radius of Bognor Regis)

* * * * EDIT * * * *

I've posted some photos on photobucket - click the thumbnails for a larger image. Sorry about the layer of dust, fingerprints, and reflections - consider them forensic evidence for now - that is until I get the polish out...



* * * Final offers * * *

Onto eBay tonight (September 8th), so your last chance to make an offer without paying the green-eyed giant a percentage... e.g. �1000 for 502 + 557 + MSR + leads, plugs.

Ed

I am interested in the 502, please check your PM.
Henrik

Wow. Kef 104/2's at �300. I had a pair, in cherry for many years until WAF needed to be considered. Absolutely loved them.

Ed,
Can you tell me more about the balanced cables?

Thanks,
Duncan

Hi Duncan, I'll give it a go....

The 502 has normal (unbalanced) phono outputs and the 557 has normal (unbalanced) phono inputs - like 99% of dometic pre/power amps. You can use these.

However, the 502 also has balanced outputs (to the power amp) as well as balanced inputs (which I can't use, as I haven't got any sources with balanced outputs). And the 557 has balanced inputs (from the pre) - so we can use balanced cables to connect them.

These are fairly bulky signal cables terminated with 3 pin locking connectors (canon?) that basically completely eradicate any chance of interference from other sources impinging on the connection... taking the noise floor right down. It really is noticeable switching from unbalanced to balanced, the silence gets darker.

It really isn't snake oil. This review explains it a bit more technically than I can... http://www.Meridian-audio.info/public/meridian_502_gramophone[574].pdf

Balanced connections are used a lot in professional audio.

The cables are fairly cheap - that's another advantage, you don't need exotic materials - and the only additional cost is you need to fit shorting plugs to the phono inputs on the power amp. These are either a dead short or 4k7 links (I believe) between signal and earth on each plug. Without these you get a bit of a hum! I've got some natty 4k7 shorting plugs fitted.

The included balanced cables and shorting plugs cost about �40 in total - definitely not high-end audio pricing.

This review says a bit more about audible differences:

http://www.Meridian-audio.info/public/502_&_557_review_(hi-fi_choice_jan_1997)[458].pdf

Hope that helps. If not, I've just rambled for nothing. Sorry about that...

- Ed

Ed,
Thanks. My question should have been better. I have a 502 and 557 and am using balanced cables, but am always on the look out for better ones. Apols for wasting your time and good luck with the sale. Have a free bump on me.

Duncan

Hi what do you want for the 104.2s and how far from Huntingdon are you?

Marc K

Just bought Ed's 557 from him and thought I'd post a quick "thank you". Very nice guys to trade with. Couldn't have been more straightforward, helpful and generous. Helped me bubble wrap and box the amp and more. Ed, you're a legend mate and I'm sure you'll be back down the Meridian path very soon. Enjoy the new carpet.

Best wishes, Will

Hi Marc,

Bognor is about 3 hours away, 160 miles - according to Google Maps. I drove further to buy them - but you might just be sane.

I'm looking for around �200, which is quite low because they're a bit tired: the black ash veneer (paint?) is a bit worn along the edges, the grille cloth is faded, and at least one of the bass drivers' dust caps has crumbled.

Plus points:

They still sound quite beautiful
They are quite efficient, so you don't need a monster amp (I've had 'em running off 18 watt valves)
If you fancy a "project", this could be quite rewarding

I don't know how important the dust cap is, but parts and repairers are available if you want to go that route.

If I've put you off, well thank goodness - I wouldn't want you to undertake a 300 mile round trip for nothing! Or anyone to buy them sight unseen.

- Ed

Ed, top marks for your candour in describing the KEFs.

Cheers

George

OK, perhaps I've overdone it, they're not that tatty...



Yeah, I'll probably be buried with them. (Or in 'em.)

- Ed

I listened to them when I picked up Ed's 557 and they sounded very sweet. Was impressed. If I'd been after another stereo pair, at this price, I'd have bit his hand off. (His dogs might have had something to say to me if I had though!)