Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 808i and Ayre C-5xe/K-1xe

I have grown increasingly annoyed by my dependency on manually setting the unity gain on the K-1xe amp. I also would like to have a player that retrives more detail, if possible, from CDs than the C-5xe (without paying dCS prices...).

Has anyone heard both of these players the, either the C-5xe alone, or in combo with the K-1xe and the Meridian 808 or 808i? Has anyone noticed any overwhelming differences?

I'm hoping to get a chance to demo an 808i in my system, because if it works out, I'm ready to switch out the K-1xe and C-5xe (and use my Denon DVD-5910 for SACD...).

Any input on experiences with both these units would be helpful, or comparisons to the dCS stack as well, since I am hoping to get closer to that natural, detailed sound.

Perhaps I would even sell the K-1xe and keep the C-5xe for stereo SACD on my dedicated two channel portion of my system.

I do have a Meridian 861 as well that I use for digital material, so if anyone has input on whether this uses the same DACs and/or has the same sound as the 808i, PLEASE, let me know, as I don't want to waste money if I am already getting the same sound when I feed the digital output of my Denon DVD-5910 into the 861.

Thanks a lot in advance,

- Jeff

808i directly into an amp section is nice. As is 808 into a pair of high end DSP speakers.

If you are obsessed with getting more detail/information from the CD's a 808/808i is one of the best and it keeps it truly coherent. Keep the signal path simple..

I have no experience with Ayre, my friends reference CD player I have listened to alot is the Bladelius Gondul MKIII.

Enjoy the Demo!

Agree totally with the previous message. I use my 808i into DSP's - but heard it via a pair of Krells into Martin Logan panels (just to see!). Either way, VERY impressive piece of kit. You won't be disappointed....although you might find a hole buring in your wallet pretty soon after!!!!

Rgds
Geo.