Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian Dunhill AD88, would you still buy?

Hi all,

I have the opportunity to buy a Meridian Dunhill AD88 from a dealer in excellent condition (approx 2 wks use then stored) here in Japan. I can use it with my MS200 as I did with my F80.

I have 4 factors to consider if I am to purchase it:

1) Unable to audition as approx 4hr Shinkansen train ride away.
2) I’ve never heard one but used a F80 in the UK and having read the main AD88 thread here on unplugged, it seems to have a fuller sound due to its design in comparison.
3) It’s approx 10 yrs old and possibly no longer supported by Meridian (unconfirmed).
4) There may be better alternative one box solutions available for the equivalent 1£££

Any thoughts?

Del ( TD4 )

Hi Del

Hope Japan is working out for you, are you planning on running Sooloos or Roon, this could influence your choice of potential endpoint?

I believe there are better choices out there and I am sure Meridian no longer support it so reliability going forward is an issue.

Russ

Hi Russ,

It’s working out well except for the weather; currently -6c and a serious wind chill factor here in the mountains. Apparently the coldest it’s been for 48yrs - 31c in some parts of the country. Having no ceiling inside an old house with a thatched roof does not help either.

I’ll be sticking with Sooloos for the time being. I guess there are one box alternatives which may be better but I’m yet to find one. Locally we have the Currys / PC World equivalent choice of systems, which is why I am considering the AD88. The dealer is offering their own warranty, which tells me that Meridian may no longer support the AD88.

Del ( TD4 )

PM sent.

Meridian certainly won’t support the F80. Mine is a lovely doorstop just now. The Bluesound Pulse 2 has a similar F80 sound but decodes MQA does 24/192 files also. It’s what the F80/AD88 should have evolved into if Meridian stayed in that space.

Mine came with a 6 year warranty. You could plug a MS200 into the optical input but it’s Roon Ready out of the box.

If you subscribe to Tidal you can play Tidal Masters with the BluOS app, amongst almost anything else. Ohh, It does bluetooth apt as well.

Not bad for the price of a second hand F80. On the negative side, it’s not as pretty as an F80. But if you want you can link two as a stereo pair.

Options, options...

Chris

You asked the question Del. My answer: no. Completely on the grounds of support: they're much rarer than F80s.

Agree with Joel. I would pass and go Bluesound too like Chris.

But does the Blusound have an alarm clock
Hector

Well, funny you should ask, It does have timers and alarms etc but not a clock face.

You mean does it have an inflexible alarm clock that was clearly designed by someone who never used one?

Strangely, I wanted an alarm clock in Roon, but I now wake up without one.

Alarms yes, however if you doze, no clue as to how late you are
Hector

Are you referring to no automatic BST correction even considering DAB?

What would I do with the time if I didn't have to reset my M80 twice a year?
Hector