Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Restaurant at the End of Universe Hitchhikers - Meridian Equipment WTB: Meridian 558 or 558.2 Amplifier

Looking to buy one, possibly two 558 or 558.2 5 channel amplifiers please.

Still looking…

Anyone?

I have 2 or 3 of them.
One is storage somewhere, still haven't picked it up.

They sound lovely, or the mid range does, tops are a little hard, i had the tweeters running on some Arcams which sounded better. But sadly they don't last, both of my 558's have faults, one is on its last legs.
The other in storage has a blown channel.

What you want is a 559, or 3
They sound almost the same, have done back to back testing, but sold the 559 as the 558 was 5% better sounding, but most people would never notice.
Oddly the 558 is very slightly louder than the 559, yet the specs show different, but again not much in it.

The 559s can be repaired far easier should they ever need it, 558s cost more to be repaired than just buying another.
Put in a search on Hifi shark for email alerts, same on eBay as they are like hens teeth to find, the 558 and 559.

My DSP5200.2s sound very similar to the 558's so wouldn't buy another or a 559.
Chord amps sound almost the same, but slightly better mid on the 558 / 559s, perhaps nothing some eq couldn't fix ? but the Chords are louder, more reliable and cheaper to fix.

Hope this helps a little.

Interesting comments.

Which speakers were you running on the end of your Meridian amps that sounded like 5200.2s?

In terms of the treble hardness, what age are the amps and have they been serviced or re-capped?

Was running some Dynaudios and Kefs at the same time, reason for 2 of these.
Sounded really great, had much more than just the 2 sets of main speakers, also some Dynaudio M3s, 3rd best tweeters in the world they say.
Also loads of subs, it was like a mini night club and miss it all.

Have never heard anything like it when watching Jurassic park, the M3s were running on the Chords at the time.
Was too much stuff, so had to downgrade a little, but stuff has crept back in again.

The DSP7200.2s and above must sound even better again, but are too big for me, they give me eye-ache looking at them as did all the other stuff previously so must compromise.
Would buy the Meridian panel speakers if i had the money, speakers should be heard and not seen in 2026.

Not sure about whether they were recapped, don't think so, one is a .1 and other .2, but sound the same.
Think there are far better Chords than mine, which are quite old mono blocks, once used for the Royal concert hall outside broadcasts, they sold them off 10 years or so ago, the bigger newer Chords are meant to be incredible and very loud.

The hardness in the tops.. forgot to add.
Not a major big deal, the Arcams just sounded a little sweeter, used them in the last system so used them again, perhaps just personal preference, but the mid range on the 558s is beautiful, really natural and loud, all amps should sound as good.

Thanks for your comments.
Yes, they're looking rare now, perhaps because they are failing.
I'll have a look at Chord, or maybe just use a receiver like new Arcam AVA25

Hi
Are you still looking/wanting a Meridian 558.2?
Thanks
Steven

Yes, please PM if you have one.