Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G08, my opion.

Hi all, this is the first time that i have posted on a forum so please excuse any mistakes that i may make.

Firstly i have had a look around and i am very impressed with the depth of knowledge in this forum.

The reason i have decided to join this group is because i have just purchased a G08 CD player. I purchased the player after hearing others from AVI, Unison research, M/fidelity and i used to own a Naim CDi. My first intentions were to buy the AVI and then the dealer suggested i here the Meridiam.. My my... It just blew all of the other players away, the soundstage was immence, layers of music and i had been told in the past that Meridian gear could lack clout, the attack from the likes of the Chemical Bro's and Massive attack is breathtaking but with a huge amount of control and is not in the least bit harsh.

Just in case anyone is interested i use an AVI lab series amp, Monitor Audio GR60's and all is connected with Chord Company Signature cable.

I may be looking to buy a Meridiam pre/power combination one day but as when buying my CD player i will audition any other equipment that looks and sounds good to, maybe the soon to be realeased AVI 500w Monoblocks.

I am interested in other peoples experiences with the g08 and the amp side of things so i will keep on looking around the site.

Im off for now.

Steve.

Hello Steve,

I couldn't agree with you more. The G08 gives an amazing level of performance and months after getting mine it's still making my jaw drop. I'm using mine with MF gear (A3CR pre/power) and Epos M15 speakers. It all sounds pretty good to my ears.

Cheers,

Craig.

Hi Steve,
I recognise your system I think! Glad you are happy with the G08, especially now it is housed in it's beautiful oak Henley rack. It's an expensive CD player for sure, but it's performance more than makes up for this, not forgeting how nice it is to use and all of the other 'soft' issues.

All the best,
Phil

Has anyone done a digital to analogue comparision from the G08. I am assured that if you use the G08 in a non "G" series configuration the analogue output will knock spots off other systems. I still need to compare the two shortly as I currently have both configured on my 561 controller.

As an addendum to my previous reply Like you Steve I got mine G08 from Phil at Glos HiFi with which I am deligted (in Black),the sound stage is so precise with no tendancy to wander at all. The rest of the equipment is a new 561, 3*M33 front speakers and 2*M30 (I've had these M30's for about 18 years.) rear speakers and a Quake sub speaker all suppied by Phil.

I replaced a 500 transport/518 Digital Audio processor and 566 24 Bit setup having tried the G08 - I could not believe at first that one box could be better than three, but it is and significantly so - detail, width, bass, with a great "feel" to the sound. I use the G08 with a 502 and a 557, so I have a truly analague stereo system and it sounds wonderful.

Well Craig/Tim, it is nice to see that i am not the only one who is over the moon with thier G08. And as for Phil, what a nice guy, a little expensive (Only joking, i got a very good deal and i look forward to doing business with him again)

I have mainly posted again, now my second time on a forum to explain about the soundstage that has just manifested itself in my lounge....

I have been moving my Monitor AudioGR60's around to try and get them positioned in the best place.... Well last night i must have found the "sweet spot".. I have never heard sound like it, the room was awash with music, the imaging, dynamics it was intense yet beautiful... Sorry if i got a little carried away there.

So should you have a G08 and are thinking about changing speakers,give em a go they are amazing. I also have seen superb results from my Chord Company Signature Interconnect and speaker cables, they take a little time to run in but the rewards can equal a sexual experience!!!!! They are that good..

It's 06.56 and i am an hour late for work so i wish you all a nice day.

Steve.

If you really want to see what the G08 can do with regards to soundstage, ease of sound and musicality try putting some Aurios Isolation bearings under it. Absolutely jaw dropping.

Cheers,

Craig.

Craig where can i get these and how much, i am currently using an Atacama soundstage iso platform for both my G08 and amp.

Steve.

Steve,

I would recommend the Ultimate Triplepoint cones from MapleShade Records.

I have used them on my 861, CD transport, DVD player, 5-channel amp, and Sunfire subwoofer with excellent results. The price is quite reasonable at $110 for a set of 3, plus there is a 30-day money back guarrantee. You can't lose.

For more info, see http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/tweaks/cones.php



[This message has been edited by DANewsome (edited 03-31-2004).]

Hello Steve,

I got them from amusicdirect.com (http://www.amusicdirect.com/products/search.asp?mfr=AURIOS) but I see that the price has gone back up for US$150 (which I paid) to US$399 which makes them pretty expensive. Also you'll see that DAnewsome has had good results with the mapleshade cones which simply suggests that it's worth trying different isolation options. I prefer the bearing type decoupling devices over coupling with cones but others differ. There's no universal answers in hi-fi so just try a few and see what YOU prefer. I'm sure Phil would have a few options for you to try.

For what it's worth the major benefit of inserting one set of Aurios in the context of my system is a much, much, much greater sense of musical ease. The big plus is that this doesn't come at the cost of pace or dynamics, something that I have heard with various softer products like sorbathane. Actually it's quite the reverse as the noise floor has dropped noticeably so there's even more detail and a greater sense of dynamics as the quieter sections of the music are, well, quieter. Pace wise there's no loss, and there may even be a slight gain.

There is more body and solidity to images which populate a wider, deeper, higher sound stage. I'm now regularly getting images up to two or three feet outside the edges of my speakers. For some this is normal but for me it's certainly a gain on what I've experienced previously with Epos speakers. I haven't noticed any real increase in the freqency extension, but there is a wonderful improvement in smoothness to the top that is very seductive.

Cheers,

Craig.

I feel that Craig has described exactly what I hear with the Ultimate Triplepoints in my system. Well said!

Regardless of which brand, I feel that these type of devices are worthwhile for everyone to investigate to extract that last little bit of performance from your gear. Audiogon is perfect for trial and error testing, as you can purchase them at discount (already depreciated) and lose next to nothing if you decide to sell.

So even if you don't believe that these types of devices work, why not verify that belief with the expenditure of few dollars and some of your time. Besides, it's fun!

Back on topic: Has any G08 owner ever spent any time with Wadia or Mark Levinson CD transports? If so, how do they compare?

Damon