Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861/800 Why no 808 or 808.2?

This is my first of many posts to come...

I have noticed a lot of 861/800 in peoples equipment list. Is there a reason there are no 808 or 808.2s? I am considering going the 808 route, but I don't see anyone using them. Does the 800 compare in the audio side to the 808?

Because many folks grew with Meridian's direction of DVD-A and DVD expecting that path to continue. But it did not. DVD-A died and Bluray didn't happen for Meridian. At the same time Music Servers have become extremely popular. So only a few diehards are going after Meridian's ultimate CD player. There are a few folks on the forum with 808's and 808.2's.

There are also a lot of folks here with DSP speakers and you don't get quite as much bang for the buck adding 808.2 to the mix as the analog section in the 808.2 is completely redundant.

Another part of the equation is apodizing filter which is also part of what makes an 808.2 an 808.2. Many hope apodizing will get added to the preamps making 808.2 apodizing (possibly) redundant too. Some have already taken that path by adding a HD621 and by various means got their music running through it.

Hi Schlick

Welcome to the forum. It's most probably because the 800 (v1-v4) has been around for a lot longer than the 808 (currently v2). The 808 is optimised for best redbook CD replay, the 800 for CD, DVD and DVD-A. Bob Stuart previously noted that removal of the video side of the 800 allowed an increase in the quality achieved with audio alone.

The original 808 plays CD and the stereo tracks of DVD-A discs, whilst the newer 808.2 is CD only, but employs more advanced (and better sounding) processing.

Cheers

George

Hi George

Good summary. On the point above though, I'd suggest that the 808.2 with DSPs gives a rather substantial bang for the buck! Which is why I bought one...

Cheers

George

I just purchased a pair of dsp7000s. If I purchased an 800v4 or an 808 and a HD621 will this sound as good as an 808.2?

-Ed

I know Meridian's answer, no.

How close will it be? only the beholder can decide that.

Keep in mind it's not so easy to hook a 808 to and HD621 nor an 800 as I understand it. You might get 2 channels through with the 800. You can only hook HDMI (fully decoded to PCM) to the HD621. I don't believe any Meridian player can do that with more than 2 channels. I could be wrong.

Apple TV, or A Video Processor that accepts SPDIF input (also limited to 2 channels) is the only way to hook music like sources to HD621. Some feel a generic BD player hooked through HD621 sounds as good as anything. Many also disagree.

Oh your 7200's already have apodizing in them (possibly better than HD621). BUT ONLY if they are fed 44.1Khz or 48Khz. They must be upsampling to apodize. That is, the yellow light must be OFF for apodizing to be ON. As crazy as that seems. You should do some searches on apodizing. Make sure you set time to "Years" when doing any searches. There are LOTs of discussion on this very topic.

I have 7000s not 7200s. (I wish). Thanks for the info guys. I have a lot to learn.

-Ed

Hi Schlick,

welcome here.
All the last posts are quite correct, i only can add my comment.
Take Stuarts words, "allow better audio quality" for the 808 compare to the 800 because of the influence of video in the 800-
first- how big is the difference as Georg pointed out-
and second - DONT using the analoge section as you do with the DSP-, i believe that there is no difference at all.
But i do not have practical compare that, just thinking.
Maybe here are some folks, who have DSP�s and 800/808 ?
For my ears and my 8k/800/861 the sound is "good" enough.

You should take much more care on the big influence of your listening room, this is allways a point where people talking but still underestimate.
After listen a lot of years with just a "standard rooms",finally i dit start the work on a listening room.
My reason for doing is, that i listen to rooms that have professionally (not from hifi dealer) designed
and if you allready heard that-there is only one way forward to have such a room.
Sorry to be off topic, but i mean that point is more important as the possible difference 800/808.

The 7000s don't have apodizing (yet). I expect they will at some point (but don't hold your breath).

I think George (Mills) point about servers vs. CD is on the money. The 808.2 into DSP8000s is the best audio reproduction I've ever heard.

I'm with VK here. The 808.2/8k pair is truly stunning for playback of those quaint little silver disc things (...er...what were they called...oh yes...CD's ). I cannot believe a player going through a 3rd box (i.e. HD621) to just achieve the same filtering will actually be the same especially via HDMI.

I would absolutely love an 808.2i but really can't justify another disc player. I suspect many are in the same boat hence the relatively low yield on 808 vs 800.

Hi Schlick - welcome!!

IF you are (like me) a red-book dinasaur then the 808.2 IS the ultimate. I never got into surround or into home cinema (some would say my loss, but hey....) I don't have the luxury of DSP 8ks - I use DSP5.5k's. And that now is all the Meridian kit I have, replacing previous 600 series gear.

V-K and Mr Meridian are both right - the 808.2 into DSP's of any description is quite mind-blowing. I upgraded my 808.1 recently after doing a side-by-side comparison of the two models. The difference is real; it is immediate, and worth every penny. It changed a superb piece of CD replay kit into another dimension. DSP speakers are "big" in any room. But if I say that the 808.2 makes the speakers effectively "disappear", that is no exageration. The sound becomes more coherent; significantly more three-dimensional in terms of depth and perceptable separation of instruments and voices. And having said that, the original 808 was quite exceptional, and the only CD player that persuaded me to upgrade from my 600's which I owned for years (and still represent terrific value in today's second user market!)

Previous posts have correctly referenced the "loss" of DVD-A capability with the upgrade. Others (the other George's?) may comment further, but my own perception is that the gains offered by many DVD-A's have effectively been eclipsed with the 808.2 (presumably in major part, thru the apodising filters and enhanced processing in the newer model). My DVD-A collection is about to be sold on when I get around to it..... THAT is the magnitude of the difference.

So if you want absolute top of the game CD replay and don't fancy the server route or video or anything other than good ol' stereo at it finest, the 808.2 should DEFINITELY be heard !!

Just be aware, though, that whilst good CD recordings will sound the best you've ever heard them, the 808.2 will crucify crap recordings. And (slightly OT) DO try a couple of the JVC XRCD 20bit K2 recordings - Amanda McBroom "Dreaming" being one. Mind-blowing!!


George.