Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 800V3 DVD RBCD performance.

I'm just about to buy a linn CD12 and wondered if any members have any experience with this player.
I hope it will blitz the 800 for RBCD but I'm not so sure and at �7K for the CD12 I'm a little unsure whether to go for it or not.
Any advice would be great as I have heard a CD12 but not in my system and the player is in Ireland so no chance to demo at home.

Cheers

Wow your system must sound rough to warrant a �7K upgrade. (Joke)
I spent less than that on my whole system and it sounds staggering. (IMHO). 506CD 518 565 A500 M33c M1500 sub etc.(True)
My advice, and I understand if you dont want it, is dont do it with out a audition because if your wrong, and that is a 50/50 chance you will struggle to find anyone who wants to pay that much for a CD player.
The Law of diminishing returns is a play here, big time.
Go out and see a few concerts, you will be surprised just how good your sound really is. Are you trying to get a sound that just doesnt exist?
What do I Know, you can buy alot of discs for �7K, see alot of shows as well. Pay a big chunk of the morgage. Get a nice car.Buy some investments and use returns to buy HI Fi.
The world is your Lobster, enjoy, Chris.
Wishing I had �7k to spend on my system.

Chris

Thanks for the advice and very sound it is aswell. I guess I'm always looking to improve on what I've got. I must be honest that the 800V3 sounds much better for CD than my old G91 and it is quite noticeable.
Even my wife commented on it which is a first!
I sit here looking at the 800 and realised that I maybe watch 1 DVD a month albeit the kids watch a 100!
When they have gone to bed I get the CD's out and have a listen, James Blunt arrived this morning and what a fantastic CD.
I have around 500 CD's and even more records still.
I have maybe 30 DVD's and never watch them as it's shark tale or finding nimo everyday which I can see not ending anytime soon.

Having the DSP5500's up front and now having moved the DSP5000's to the rear I'm noticing a marked improvement in music quality with the G68D..
Maybe give the 800 a little longer but after some advice off Tassie Devil it's sort of put me off it.

Cheers Gareth

I would only spend what I consider silly money on something I had heard (that's not to say I wouldn't - cos I have!). There are plenty who would say that the Linn is the best out there ATM, but how many own it?

The 800 is expensive too - I too *think* I would like one, but I don't know how much yet, since I haven't heard one, married up with my processor etc...

I understand the number of concert tickets, number of CDs you could buy - your money, your choice...

Once you have heard one - then is the time for you to decide how much it is worth to *you* - then you can negotiate with the seller from a stronger position rather than smoke and mirrors.



[This message has been edited by dmurfet (edited 05-31-2005).]

You should audition the Wadia players if you are after best RBCD playback

Gareth, 800 is much much better than the Linn. The only player I have hear that (very marginally) beats 800 at RBCD is 808!

Gareth, I've never heard the Linn CD12 but I know it has a superb reputation. I've also not heard an 800 V3 but I have recently spent time with an 808, which was stunning to my ears. From reviews, the 808 is more than competitive with the CD12 and better than the 800 V3.

My observation is that the Linn would take you to a different sound than Meridian, as would the Wadia. I echo the earlier advice not to buy the CD12 unheard. I'd also recommend comparing the CD12 with the 808 and the Wadia 861SE as a minimum. One thought about the 808 is that it plays DVD-A and DVD-V music in 2 channel mode and treats both
brilliantly.

Regards,
Steve

Gareth

When you auditioned the CD12 was it with Meridian digital speakers? You most probably would have heard it using it's own DACs in an analogue system, which would be redundant in your Meridian system, unless you used the analogue inputs on the G68 and went through the A/D D/A chain which would degrade performance. There may be some alternatives you haven't considered, email me if you want to discuss it further.

Regards
Gary

I demo'd one with DSP8k's against a G91 and 598.
Both to my ears and my wife's, we didn't like the Linn. I can't say it's not good, but we found that the 598 seemed to have loads more clarity and detail.
The dealer suggested that the Linn had an almost analogue quality to it.

I absolutely would not be buying without a home demo on it if I were you. The demo in the shop was enough for us.

Maybe, in an analogue rig it's a different player altogether. And before anyone is tempted to jump on the "I don't like DSP speakers anyway, the DAC's inside there make transport choice irrelevant, etc etc" waggon, the 8k's were clearly able to present the subtle and not-so-subtle differences in digital transport character.

Rgds

Nick

[edit- tidied up the typo....was in a rush earlier]

[This message has been edited by ncpl (edited 06-01-2005).]

Guys

Thanks for the advice. I've got the Wadia dealer coming around with an 861SE and 207 I think, sounds familar!
I'm going to have to try the 808 as well I guess but I'm trying to give other makes a go instead of sticking with Meridian all the time! I've purchased too much stuff without listening to it (800 for one) so I'll skip the cd12 unless I can have a go in my own house.
Local Meridian dealer won't let me have a go with an 808 at home either! Thought it's a nice jolly to go to someones's house and play with their kit, drink their tea and eat their biscuits but I guess not! Keep that for the enthusiasts eh?
Any other ideas to try before I take a jump. I don't think I'm interested in messing with the 800 as Tassie did but I'm certainly open to ideas to point me in the right direction.
Any one actually got an 808 yet or are they still too new (and expensive) for us?

Cheers Gareth

Gareth,

Why won't your dealer give you a home demo? A swipe of the credit card and he's protected. If you are serious about getting a demo, phone M and ask for a recommended dealer. For the price and low numbers of units sold, I'd guess there would be quite a few dealers round and about who would be happy to help.

I'm curious though about why you still have upgraditis ? Is the 800 just not doing it for you ? Is there a problem elsewhere in your setup that needs addressing ?

Rgds

Nick

Gareth

You're more than welcome to visit and get a demo of my Wadia 270/27ix and compare it with your 800. Let me know what biscuits you prefer!

Regards
Gary