Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems What pre to replace a 502?

I've had a my 502/557 for nearly a decade now and I've really enjoyed the combination. I'm just starting to wonder if the time might be right to upgrade from the 502 to something else - the question is with what!

My sources are pretty good IMHO - Rega RP8/Apheta2/Dynavector P75 mkII for vinyl, a 596 for spinning cds and a Denon TU-S10 tuner for FM, then out via some Wilson Benesch Arcs (all old'uns but gold'uns! ) Is there a better Meridian Pre-amp that'll do these sources justice or do you have any recs for non-Meridian pres which will work with the 557/other sources ok?

The only thing I've spotted, but not heard yet, is the Primare Pre32/Pre35 - units that can also come fitted with streamer/DAC boards, which might be useful. No idea if they'll gel with the 557, though?

Cheers,

Steve

Take a look at Arye Acoustics. Excellent build quality, gets along well with others.

Keeping it ‘passive’ I would consider Naim Atom HE plus Uniti Core feeding your existing Meridian 557.

Buy them as factory graded units rather than paying full retail. You won’t be able to distinguish them from brand-new retail units but you will save a significant sum (albeit with 1 rather than 5 year warranty).

What’s your budget? 818v3?

I personally think the 502 is still an excellent preamp, so it’s not de-rigueur to change it just for the heck of it.

If you did change it, for that Meridian sound that you obviously have been very happy with, but just more of it, I’d advise either an 808.6 or an 818v3, which are a very updated digital source/DAC with a built-in Meridian preamp. They are a genuine and large step-up from the 596/502 you have, while retaining the Meridian sound signature. They are more transparent and sweeter sounding and have streaming built-in if you subscribe to Roon, which is excellent.

Don’t be concerned with running Vinyl through them, I ran an LP12 setup through an 818v3 a while back into 6Ks and 7200.2 and far from losing anything “analogue” it was the best I’d ever heard my vinyl in any system, including a few high-end all-analogue setups.

If you decide to go outside Meridian, you have a lot of careful listening and extended home demos to do - every brand has its own house sound and some are way off what Meridian offer. One thing I’ll say about Meridian is that it’s never fatiguing - that goes for your older (but still great) gear, and the newer 800 series. I’ve tried other brands which sound impressive in a demo, but quickly fatigue or reveal minor flaws over a longer listen at home, so take your time.

Why not go for a 808, 818 or 861? My LP12 sounds really good through the 861.
Also I personally have had Primare and was not happy with the sound nor the build quality. In fact it was the only preamp I bought second hand which went on sale again within a week being replaced by a 568.2.

+1 on an 861. If you don’t have the budget to stretch to an 808.6 or 818v3 (which I’ve owned) an 861v4 with LPSU and ID40 is a very nice place to sit, as I have been for a few years. I do believe, in a 2-channel analogue setup, the 808.6/818v3 will better it, but it’s still a wonderful DAC/Pre. It also opens up the possibilities of Subs and Trifield…

A 568.2 isn’t a bad idea also, if budget is tight. Make sure it’s an MM model to make the most of the 596 and don’t forget it has apodising firmware, which really did improve the sound. Next best thing to 800 series.

I’ve never been taken with the Primare house sound myself. I came to Meridian after Naim gear. Now when I listen to it, it sounds basic and unpolished to me after years of Meridian ownership. YMMV.

Thanks all for the thoughts and suggestions - some good stuff to investigate further.

Alas, the Ayre and 818v3 are out of reach at the moment so I'll have to do some serious saving for either of those! I'll research the 861 and see what's about

3dit0r - I'm also an ex-Naimy - olive CDSII/XPS/82/2*Hicaps/135 monos - and agree with your thoughts on sound sigs. I do really like the M sound and yes, a bit more of it would be great!

If 818v3 is out of budget, definitely consider 861v4.

If you go for an 861v4, the best performance vs value is one with the linear power supply upgrade and ID40 card for Roon streaming. You’ll also need to source an OA13 balanced output card (assuming you go balanced into your 577). Unbalanced output card is the OA03. Both are 24 bit/192 kHz capable DACs, which sound very nice indeed.

3dit0r,

As an owner of said machine with two OA13 cards I can only confirm this, such good sound.