Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian transport options

I am new here, as you can see. I recently posted explaining I wanted to buy a Meridian CD transport. Of which several good offers have come along, many thanks.

I currently have a Meridian 563 DAC fed by an early 90's Sony ES CD Player (model - CDP X339es) and an Airport Express for streaming duties. However, I do not hear that much difference in sound quality when using the DAC with my ATC SIA2-150 amp and ATC SCM35 speakers.

The reason for the WTB transport advert, was because I was reading around and thought that I might get more performance if I were to use a Meridian transport rather the current Sony I use.

Although, I anticipate that I will be moving more towards streaming and with the Airport Express only limited to 16 bit transmission, the 563 would be well upto the job.

Now the question, rather than a Meridian transport (200 or 500), may I see a greater sound performance gain with a 518 to try and get better sound quality from both CD and streaming sources?

I would be using the 518 to try and get better sound and would not need its pre-amp facilities as I have the ATC integrated already.

Also, am I correct in thinking, greater benefits are heard when using the older style 20 bit DAC's such as the 563 with the 518?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, good to see you over here from pfm!

I've commented on the transports over there, but regarding the 518, you'll get benefit from that whatever the DAC. I continued to use one along with a 500MkIII driving DSP8000s (96/24 DACs) until a couple of years ago, and the combination was only bettered by an 808.2i (which was considerably more expensive), so it isn't the case that it's best with older DACs.

The 518 is particularly adept at increasing the 16 bit word size to 24 bit, adding dither (each dither pattern very subtly changes the sound) and dejittering. Adding it between transport and DAC wrought a more organic, emotive feel to the music, as well as a larger soundstage. Oh, and your toes tap more! The only potential downside is that it can cause a very slight softening in the bass, but the gains far outweighed this one point.

If you are wondering about whether to try a 518 with the current kit instead of replacing the transport, it's a good idea, and there's nothing to be lost in trying, as you'll be able to sell it on without loss if you decide it's not for you. In all probability, you'll keep it, and still want to replace the transport, which is still very worthwhile even with a 518 added.

Hope that's a help

George

If you're going down this route do try and get a 518 with either 1.2 or preferably 1.22 firmware. And don't pay up for one either, check pricing carefully before paying over the odds for one.

Thanks guys.

My main concern with the 518 is that it will mask a lot of the dynamics. I heard a Perpetual Technologies DAC a few times with the optional P1 Jitter Buster component. Now the DAC was very smooth anyway, but I thought the addition of the P1 just made it sound, well rather boring. Certainly not toe-tapping anway, so it may well be a different beast altogether.

I don't think that the 518 will mask anything; quite the opposite in fact.

Go ahead and buy one with a sense of optimism. The 518 was generally held to be one of Meridian's best products, albeit now superceded by technologies incorporated into their newer CD players and processors.