Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 808v6 impressions

[all listening was via an 808v6 (upgraded)running the latest firmware into 8kSEs also with the latest firmware]

The latest iteration of the 808 has been a long time coming. Originally promised for last February, it actually appeared in November but MQA files and the latest firmware have only become available recently.

CD
Last February Meridian claimed that CD replay of the new player would show a distinct improvement over the old one. I approached this with healthy scepticism. I accept that the stated jitter reduction of 40% should make a difference but 40% less of not very much may not change the sound by a worthwhile amount. We know that Meridian have long taken a serious approach to jitter. Measurement is a matter of controversy but Meridian have even gone to the lengths of designing and making their own jitter measurement tools.

In the event, CD replay showed a considerable advance over the v5. Playing some electronica that called for great rhythmic control, the impact was impressive if not dramatic and also came with a large sense of spaciousness to the sound (Brainbug, "Nightmare" and Sash! "Encore une fois"). Dub went deep and tuneful without any boom (Dub Colossus, "Satta Massagana"). Furthermore, the width extension was greater than seemed possible and is more apparent on this disc than on any others I have tried.

Digital input
I listened to BBC Radio 3 via DAB which shared the sound characteristics of CD replay. The sense of presence was much greater than with the old player and announcers's voices were also very natural sounding.

Analogue input
I used my iPod for this and was amazed by the result. Deciding upon something acoustic and natural sounding I chose a string quartet (Schubert, "Death and the maiden", Hagen Quartet). The CD is not an outstanding recording but I was very surprised by how little was lost playing it through the iPod. With stadium rock (AC/DC "Runaway train") there was a terrific sense of scale and dynamism and vocals were admirably clear (not usually a strong point on this type of music).

USB
As has been stated elsewhere, it is essential to ensure that bit perfect PCM is transferred to the 808. I also used the latest version of Meridian's USB driver on my computer. With this in place the 808 and master speaker should display the sample rate and show MHR for downloaded files. All hi-fi virtues were present and better than via the 808v5. Files were from Linn and sample rates varied but did not seem to affect the final result.

MQA
When playing MQA files the 808 and master speaker should show sample rates and MQA. If they do not show this you are not listening to MQA.I have written about the 2L MQA files elsewhere on the forum but we are now at a point to make comparisons. I would expect the 2L files to show a distinct lead in sound quality not only because of MQA but also because 2L take so much trouble with the art of recording and the selection of a suitable venue to provide a sympathetic acoustic. This proved not to be the case. Outstanding CDs sounded better than the 2L files. But the 2L files were all consistently of a good standard and better than the average sound likely to be gained from CD. Clearly, the 808v6 offered MQA no special privilege here.

My first 808 was a v2 and every time I bought a new one I felt sure it would be my last CD player. From my listening I can only urge others to give this new player serious consideration irrespective of whether MQA becomes established. In my system I felt that the advances over the former player were outstanding, and I am not in the habit of squandering superlatives. Congratulations Meridian.

I should add that I kept the acute toe-in I had introduced when I upgraded my speakers to SE but moved my listening position about half a metre further back.

Thanks for this Asa Post, very interesting and useful write up.

Cheers

George

Thank-you Asa Post for your invaluable feedback. It's good to hear the reaction/ listening impressions of others on the 808v6.

Your report does make interesting reading and food for thought.

Thanks again,
Andrew

Ditto what George said. This might be my impetus to upgrade over the MQA aspect.

Many thanks,
John

Now this might sound stupid but could you compare and describe the difference for both the 808v5 and v6 CD performance compared with the Oppo 103?

I've done a comparison between the Oppo 103 and 808v5, and there isn't one. I cannot listen to the Oppo after immersing myself in the 808.

I did not have the download details to hand when I wrote yesterday so this is something of a supplement. When playing downloads the 808 will typically display something like PCM 44, 96 or 192k. The master speaker should then display MHR 88, 96 or 192k. I played Pete Alderton, "Soul of a Man" originating at 44, and Claire Martin, "The man who sold the world" at 192. Both sounded more dynamic and detailed than through the v5.

Does the 808v6 rescue dull or duff CDs? No. They will sound more open and detailed but they will still not be great.

I also tried a couple of "problem" CDs that lacked transparency and interest. Both are recordings conducted by John Eliot Gardiner and both are on the Philips label. Berlioz's "Symphony Fantastique" is listed on the dynamic range database as being one of the least compressed recordings. Both it and Brahms's "Ein Deutsches Requiem" seem uninvolving. The v6 improves matters but shows clearly that the expected impact is lacking because the performers are all rather distant.

I have tried to offer comparisons between the 808v5 and v6 here. In another room and another system I have an Oppo 93EU playing through an 861v8. I think it performs very well, no doubt assisted by the low-jitter architecture of the 861 (but not the ultra low-jitter architecture of the 8x8).

Your review of the 808v6 is very good to read about. I thought that the move from v3 to v5 was more than subtle, I am now really anticipating more sonic advances yet to come with upgrading to v6 and SE. Also with Sooloos playback through the 808 some of the media should be great. Those of us with large CD collections will be gaining more benefits if the recordings were done well. Thanks again for a great and timely review.

Really great and open review.

I think that review alone may force other members to dig into pockets and upgrade now!

Kind regards
David

I can confirm the validity of Asa Post's impressions on the 808v6. I have listened via MD600 streaming and CD replay.

Importantly for me, with a v3 machine, it was vital that the v6 was a sufficiently strong sound quality up-grade in its own right, independent of MQA ability. Following a trial of a loan machine, this was absolutely the case. I have since up-graded my v3 to v6 as a result.