Originally Posted by Thrasher
Let me see if I have this correct.

1. Sooloos reads and stores bit-perfect CD information at 16/44. No higher res. disk formats (SACD, DVD, DVD-A, Blu-ray) supported.

2. Sooloos can accept and store 24/96 downloads (but not 24/192).

3. Output via SpeakerLink RJ45 or SPDIF of whatever is stored, up to 24/96.

4. Meridian DSP7200 and DSP8000 speakers have the same "apodising" digital filters used in the 808.2/.3 CD players, which largely remove pre-ringing and ringing from the CD information (which largely don't exist in higher-rez files).

5. The DSP7200 and DSP8000 speakers accept over SpeakerLink whatever is sent "perfectly" from the Sooloos (again, up to 24/96).

If the above is all accurate, shouldn't the sound of a bit-perfect stored CD played from the Sooloos' hard drive through the DSP speakers (with the same filters and DACs as the 808) sound at least as good (and possibly slightly better) than the same CD played on the 808.3 over the same speakers? If I can live without the ability to play a new CD without ripping first, and I don't need the extra inputs of the pre-amp version of the 808, why do I need the 808 at all (assuming I get the DSP speakers)?

Please advise!

#1 is pretty much true for any Music Server (once setup correctly).

DSP speakers do not have the "Special Sauce" an 808.2,3 has.

You don't need and 808, but if you want the best 2 sounding 2 channel "Music Server" Meridian can offer. Then you probably need an 808.

How much value that gives someone is each individuals choice.

The next best is probably a 518 feeding DSP speakers with Apodizing.

If your speaker doesn't have Apodizing then probably a 518 + HD621 + Plus SPDIF to HDMI (Yuck) is needed.

A 518 is not required but I think it's the cheapest way to take the edge off.

I have tried a transporter direct to DSP-6000's and for "DEMO" purposes it was great but it got fatiguing and now I strictly listen through G68 (which applies a "fixed" 518 like processing and does take the edge off). A real 518 would be more flexible and cheaper, especially with a 2 channel only setup.

- Fiddler (IMHO)

If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument.
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