Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 557 vs 559?

Has anyone got any experience of the 559 power amp versus the 557?

I'm currently using a 500>518>Benchmark DAC1.

I was thinking of trying a 557 power amp on the end of that. Speakers are Linn Kabers.

But I wondered how much better the 559 might be, although I haven't seen any for sale recently, whereas there seem to be a few 557s around.

Grateful for any info!

Cheers,

Stephen

I use a 557 every day and still think it is a great power amp - I used to have a 500>518>566-24 until I replaced them with a G08, into M A500 speakers - lovely sound. The 559 is physically bigger and heavier, with more power and does sound better than the 557. An alternative to a 559 could be to buy two 557s and use them in bridge mode to bi-amp your speakers!

The 559 is a more recent model than the 557. It's supposed to have some of the technology that is in the DSP8000 active speakers. This is also found in the G series power amps. So if you don't need the 300W output of the 559, why not have a look at the G series power amps? (There isn't a 300W amp in the G line-up.)

Mark S

I have a 559. I've not had a 557 in my system but have heard examples. The sense of speakers and amplifiers "not being there" is a mark of quality that I look for. The 559 has even less "presence" than the 557. It handles delicate passages of classical music beautifully and has immense reserves in hand. It's completely unflustered by any kind of material - music or sound track. It runs cool so, despite it's physical size, it's very easy to live with. I'd highly recommend one.

FWIW, I would not recommend bridging two 557 amps. Except for particular, balanced, designs like the BEL Canto Class T amps, bridging generally leads to a more grainy, harder, performance. I'd certainly try it out carefully before deciding that approach.

Regards,
steve

Stevo, declaring an interest that, as you know, I have one or two 557s for sale.....

Two 557s give the option of horizontal or vertical biamping which I believe is a good thing for the Linn Kabers? I have never tried the bridged mode seriously so can't comment on the relative quality. But bi-amping has always worked for me.

And, as you note, there are always 557s around that go very quickly (the one at www.choice-hifi.com seemed to go for �800 within 3 days), plus you can experiment and build up, while a 559 second-hand is (1) rare - I tried to find one for three months and (2) a more substantial investment.

Other threads here question the outright power and capabilities of the G57.

You could also consider a 558 and just use 4 channels in h/v bi-amped or bridged modes.

So risk vs. flexibility vs. cost vs. availability.

Bottom line though - a straight 557 is a very good solid amp.

There is a 559 for sale in Stockholm/Sweden:

http://www.hifimagasinet.com/annonsDetalj.asp?annonsID=6762

The seller is working in a hifishop.

Thanks for all the info.

557 is now installed, running on balanced inputs (improvement), and sounding very, very fine indeed!

Steve H: Is the bridging of two 557s not an improvement on a single one, or is it a different type of sound? I only have a single set of outputs on my DAC so biamping would require cable splitters to work.....

Cheers,

Stephen

Hi, Stephen. In the end, it's really one of those "only your ears can decide for you" things. I suspect you'll lose more than you gain in sound quality - that a pair of bridged 557s would be harder to listen to for longish periods than one in stereo mode. I can't say becasue I've never done it with 557's. I did compare bridged amps versus vertical biamping a few years ago and the biamping was infinitely superior. Shane that isn't an option for you.

Regards,
Steve

I heard both amps side by side and bought a 557.The 559 sounded thinner and more "etched."
The 557 sounded fuller with no less insight/transparancy.I did not need the extra power of the 559 and did not notice any lack of oomph from the 557 by comparison into moderately efficient speakers.Its a good buy..

hi im new at this so here goes i have 2 557power amps run in bridge mode and sounds great far better than 559 my system is DVD 598 mhr 568.2 processor 2 557 power amps 1 556 power amp 1 DSP center speaker front speakers dali helicon 400 back speakers dali 300 with chord signature speaker cables and interconnects throughout hope this helps.