Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 602CDT vs. 596DVD (with my 601 which has some 518 features)

I'm now left with one question and would like your advice/opinion - which will sound better 602CDT or 596DVD/CDP?

Meridian say any 500 CDT will sound better but some experienced user say the 602 can still sounds better. Now I understand that with the 508, 588, 596 and 598 there is the consideration that they use a ROM drive with less read errors so in theory they should definitely sound better.

What do you think?

My experience is...
The 601 makes my Panasonic 3D Bluray palyer connected via optical lead sound just as good as the 596 connected with a 75ohm RCA coax lead. I can't tell the difference and I was expecting the 596 to sound a great deal better. It's been explained that the 601/518/618 has buffers that eliminates most of the standard issues which makes any reasonable quality transport sound similar.

Keep in mind that the 601 is limited to 16bit @44Khz.

From our PM conversation;

I believe the 601 has some level of buffering on it's inputs; this will tend to make all digital inputs sound the same.

I have a 568 which has buffering; I can't tell any difference between my 506 on coaxial and the same CD ripped onto my Mac Mini on optical.

This is a good thing though, Meridian went to a lot of trouble to make their digital equipment immune to the normal effects of transports, cables and jitter etc.

I don't think a 518 will bring you anything more; the 518 is based on the 618, I'm pretty sure the 601 uses some of the same technology used in the 618.

I do have a 518, I use the AES/EBU input and to take 16bit signals to 24bits (theoretically it can do this better than the 568), I think the 601 is limited to 16 bit signals, so this wouldn't be of any benefit.

I hope that was of some help.

All the best,

Steve.

I'm pretty sure it can go to 48KHz.

Reading up on the 601; I think it's the ultimate Meridian Phono Stage!

Steve.