Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Apodizing CD Players

OK, I'm down to my final decision- opinions please, based solely on sound quality, between-

808i.2 vs MD600/MS600

It would greatly help if you do reply if you could characterise differences if it helps my pet hates are 'hard/metallic' upper strings/guitar strums/brass, and overblown bass. I'm hoping neither of these combos do those, but there are always degrees! I guess my keywords for what I like are 'natural, organic, fluid, dynamic, lifelike, musical'.

Thanks

Sound quality, you will be delighted with both, but at the end of the day, it's your ears not mine. You might hear a subtle difference, you might not.

If it was me, I would go MD600/MS600 then later aspire to a 808.3 or 818.

If you are prepared to outlay for an 808.2, I would suggest stretching to an 808.3. There are a few available at the moment for, in my opinion, reasonable prices.

This will give you the ID40 built in and would sound better than the MS600.

Cheers
Greg

Thanks Ian, nice to know they're both good sounding units.

One big potential sound quality plus to the MD/MC is ability to play back high res files now and in the future, I guess, although relatively speaking I don't see that much around compared to the CD catalogue. Although how long that'll last is only a guess... Quite a bit of HD Tracks' catalogue is not available in the UK too, at the moment, due to licensing issues.

One thing which is slightly concerning me, which I do count as a 'sound quality' issue is the fans and HDD noise on the MD600- some report they're fairly loud? The fan on my PS3 bothers me. Heck, I used to be able to hear the dull buzz of transformers in my CDP and Amp in quiet passages...

Cheers,

James

Hi Greg,

I had considered it, and agree it would be the ultimate for SQ- there are some good deals but I just can't stretch to that financially so unfortunately it's just not an option right now

James

James, you are best not to put the MD600 in the listening room. It can sit on the network elsewhere.

If 808.3 is a stretch too far them MD/MS600 is the way I would go. Speaker to the dealers here and get a price. SQ from this into your 5k will be optimal.

I would say that 808.3 and 818 are only worth doing if you have more capable DSP's. And then I still think I'd go with the MS600.

Given the Expense of either option, I would strongly advise Taking a day off work and arranging with Rick or Gerry a Demo of both options.........both from a Sound Quality as well as User Convenience point of view

Total cost < �200

Asking Users here to choose is akin to asking Users to choose your Meals for the next year.........the food will be good.......but will it suit your exact Tastes??

Why would you place MD600 in audible distance of anything?

Agreed, except that neither have the 808.2 in stock, so it's simply not a possible dem!

Guys, thanks, didn't realise you could place MD apart from the other unit- its a network media store, not an endpoint store, then? So I'd have to run network switches, etc?

Just another vote here for MD600 nowhere near a listening room. It may not be loud compared to some NASes but it's much too loud still for a listening room IMO.

OK...take a pause here as you are probably getting advice overload. Time to browse through the product info so you do actually know what these units are. Pointless trying to digest SQ opinions if you aren't sure what's what.

From where you are head mainland to see Gerry (Phase3) or Richard (Reading 7oakes). Both these guys know their stuff and can let you hear what the units will do. It doesn't matter that they might not have an 808.2. You have to judge what you hear. I don't think anyone here has listened to 808.2 and MS600 in the same room at the same time.

As Ronnie says it will be a very worthwhile investment of time and travel money.