Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Is the 800 worth the $ - IMO no

Yes, the 800 is the best CDP in this house, but, with the apparent demise of DVD-A, IMO it is not worth the extra dollars over less expensive models. These can be sucessfully modified up to a standard scarily close to that of the 800.

I've done comparisons with other modified players before but not against the latest one, a highly modded Denon 3000 (details at the end), until the other day. A younger, keen eared audiophile helped with this comparison.

Both were fed into the 861 -> a sophisticated 13 channel system, biamped in the main L-R and centre channels -> 5 channels of electrostatic speakers, 3 subs below + dual 0.1 subs. It is a highly resolving system which reveals nuances in players that might be hard to detect in other setups. The L-R & centre Plinius amps were set to class A operation.

For the main comparison we used tracks from the excellent Burmister "Art for the Ear" CDII. This disc has a variety of superbly recorded tracks of different types of music from blues, pop, classical, organ to orchestral.

So what were those (very slight) differences?

In summary the 800 had slightly more resolution, slightly better neutrality and was a little more dynamic. However the modified Denon scored with better air and dimensionality, something the Meridian had always scored over other players previously.

So, if I had my time over again I would look beyond Meridian for a CDP and a DVD player, have it modded and pocket the change. The cost of that extra little bit of fidelity is very high, disproportionately so, particularly in the light of the increasing skills of those modifying players. No, I will not sell off the 800 now I've gone so far, but would advise caution to those contemplating an 800 purchase.

John

The mods done to each player (none to the 861 - an outstanding unit IMO)

Meridian 800 CD/DVD/DVD-A player -
1 Supply BlackGate Capacitors for Digital Output, DSP, DVD Controller, DVD Decoder and Video Encoder Modules.
1 AC-SCk PSU-S Audiocom Superclock PSU
1 LClock XO2 LClock XO2 27.0000MHz Kit

Denon 3000 CDP-
• 1 AC-AC-SC2-16-S Audiocom Super Clock 2 16.9344M
• 1 BDE-Digital Output Kit DIG 1
• 1 BB-Small Silver Bybee Quantum Purifier Silver
• Mods to the power supply: 4 of Di-15A/600V HSSR diodes, 1 of 1000uF 16V STD Blackgate Cap, 2 of BG-STD 47uF/100V Black Gate Caps, 2 of 47uF/16V FK Blackgate Caps, 2 of AU-O 0.15uF/450V Auricaps, 1 90VA Torroidal transformer, 2 BB-Small SQP Bybee Quantum Purifiers SS
• Silver solder used + a quality RCA socket for digital out

I put up a post on this Board some time ago about modding players for anyone interested in the topic. It can be found at http://www.softronix.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000217.html

John,
I'm not surprised that used as transports there's little difference between the 800 and the mod'ed Denon - & especially given the fact that you were using the 861 with it's sophisticated de-jittering.

Any differences were presumably down to different levels/spectra of jitter from the 2 transports and the 861's inability to completely attenuate these.

I have to agree that's very hard to justify the 800 as a transport - I've tried as it looks great with the 861 .

I suspect as transports with MHR into an 861 there'd be virtually no audible difference between an 800 and a 598/G98.

Perhaps if the 800 could read SACDs (universal or second transport) & output transcoded PCM via MHR...Can't believe this would be very difficult - but sadly unlikely. Or if it had leading edge video like the new Denon 5910/A1XV...

Perhaps if/when we get a HD-DVD / Bluray Solution - & presuming the 800 could be upgraded - it may make sense but until then most of us are better off with a 598 or G98 (if you want/need HDMI) or (or also) something like the Denon if you want the best video + SACD and will compromise on DVD-A quality.

Having said all this if you were to compare the 800 and the Denon as CD players i.e. using the internal DACs I think you would find that the 800 is significantly better. Although then you should really be comparing the 808 with the Denon - hardly a comparison anyone's likely to make...

Paul.

[This message has been edited by Paulmcc (edited 03-06-2005).]

6 year old player against brand new one it seems....

Jaco

I just had an encounter with a DVD player from Immrasive audio called Simmtery DVP. What a sound guys with my 861v4. I have never listend to 800 with my system but this was an eye /ear opening ride. List is $9000.00 and you get a fine looking Digital Video Processor to boot.
I had the unit only for a week , but I already miss it.

[This message has been edited by Mlssoccerrules (edited 03-06-2005).]