Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Restaurant at the End of Universe Hitchhikers - Meridian Equipment WTB: 518

I've always loved the 500 series. Thanks to several of you I now have a 500 transport, 568.2mm processor and 557 with 505 amps power some big Dali Helicons and a subwoofer in Trifield.

I don't really need another box, but I've always fancied seeing what a 518 would do. Though I may have totally failed to understand how to integrate one into my system (does it complement or replace the 568.2mm?).... So anyone selling one may have to educate me as well!! (Sorry)

Does anyone have one that they would be willing to part with, to go to a good home? Happy to drive around the Kent/Sussex/Surrey countryside to collect.

Thanks everyone, Will

I have a 518 that's doing nothing click here for my restaurant post a while back.

It's the standard 518 with the AES/EBU input; if you're interested I'll get it out of storage and take some newer pictures and check it over etc.

What a lovely 500-based system!

Good luck with your search - there is one on eBay from the UK, which isn't perfect cosmetically as the lettering on the front is partly missing, and a couple from the U.S. which look cosmetically OK, but the problem with overseas these days is crazy import duty/taxes...

Are you sure you need a 518 with a 568.2mm, though? My understanding from a long while back is that while a 518 was thought to improve the earlier 568 (.1), that by the time 568 was at .2mm with the later firmware it wasn't neccessarily worth it...

Apologies, I hadn't seen Syles post before I posted.

Here is the reference I was thinking of (which also has some suggestions for how you might use it): 568 vs 568.2

That's only one person's opinion, though. Alternative viewpoint: Apodizing, Upsampling & Resolution Enhancement (although it's not clear whether George is referring to a .1, .2, .2mm here...)

I admit I too have always been curious to hear what one of these would do to CD res. material. Have you seen the reviews on the info site?

Steve thanks. Help me to understand this. Would the 518 sit between the 500 and 568.2mm? I used the 568.2mm to process the signal from the 500 for CDs and an optical connection stripping audio from an HDMI connection (a Roku plugged into an Amazon digital audio stripper - it's so cheap I'm embarrassed but it works!). Would the 518 improve the signal path? Or does it replace the 568 and is it therefore somewhat moot? 568.2mm doing a great job already. Could the 518 have a role and offer any improvement? Appreciate your experience. Thanks!

Yes you could place 518 between 500 and 568. You could also connect the optical output of your HDMI extractor into 518, if you dont play much 96Khz music on Amazon. The 518 is limited to 24bit 48kHz.

The way I would describe what the 518 does, would be that it "Meridianizes" any input you connect into it, as in its most basic function it de-jitters and resolution enhances the input.

It will also add to the inputs of 568.

Have you read the 518 manual?

I used the 518 as a buffer for all digital inputs into my 568 and later 568.2mm; I thought of it as a great equaliser, in as much as it made most digital sources become equal, especially with computer audio and optical from a TV; as Frank describes, "Meridianizes" any input.

You can also add gain to each source along with jitter control and resolution enhancement; very useful with TV optical outputs that always seem to be 8dB low.

The manual seems quite complicated, but it does make sense eventually.

All the best,

Steve

“ The manual seems quite complicated, but it does make sense eventually “ unlike many a Meridian publication…

I’ve never had a 518, never quite met that state of enlightenment that entitled me to own one, let alone understand what one might do with it…

Steve, based on this (interesting that you had it into a 568.2mm) I would be very interested. Would you like to PM me? Happy to discuss everything in the thread, or privately.

Cheers! Will

I have sent you a PM