Those comments of yours are probably what got me into M in the first place, Gizz. I think you're right - you can play music longer and louder on M gear, without it being painful. I don't think that makes it warm and fluffy, though. The detail and incision is all there - its just that M doesn't exagerate it.

I think the ADA (in that quite reasonable discussion, for AVS) IS guilty of exageration though. It reminds me of the detailed and dynamic NuForce power amps - detail at all costs. I'm one of those fortunate folks who has heard both 861 & ADA, in two different locations and systems, but tend to steer clear of many of these discussions. Utter one word against the ADA and you tend to get lynched.

My impression is that the ADA can be dramatically effective with movies, but is less convincing where Meridian scores - music. With movies, its all high drama and great detail and dynamics, but it seems to want to bring this presentation to music, even if that wasn't what the performer or producer intended. So it comes across all wound-up and raring to go, racing ahead of itself in an impatient manner. Its like a Formula 1 car trailing after the pace car.

The 861 is more relaxed, and lets the music flow and breathe - its delivered the way it wants to, without being forced. Make no mistake, the 861 can do shock and awe when called-upon, but the best thing is that its transparent to the intent and the emotion. Different sources, styles and recordings sound just that - different - there's no attempt to make them all sound the same. There's no attempt to convey melody at the expense of everything else, like say Arcam, or to major on rhythm like Naim. There's a measured maturity to M that's easily forgotten when you're hearing something new and exciting for the first time. The problem is that you don't want to keep on hearing it over and over again, which is what a good music system should encourage.

Having said all that, I am hearing a lot of recurring, positive, comments from many experienced folks. They can't all be wrong, and it can't help but raise my inquisitiveness. I haven't heard an ADA at home, and I think curiosity might get the better of me.

Nick