Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 100 series

Hi,
This is my first post so it is partly an introduction, partly a question.
My interest in Meridian is exlusively 2 channel and old! I have a 200 transport and recently acquired a 103 pre and 105 monoblocks. I suppose my taste in hifi is becoming a little anachronistic - I've had the newer stuff but seem to be drifting backwards to find the sound I want. My hifi passion is rebuilding old Lenco turntables but I am just as enthusuastic about the sound that can be got from the older Meridian gear, built when analogue was king.
So, to the point of my post, is there anyone else out there who is interested in the older stuff, especially the 100 series, who wants to swap ideas/information anecdotes?

Cheers, Ian

Hello,

Beat you by one - my second post. I love the 100 series, and have done since I first saw a 101 with black long-lead 105s in 1979.

Unfortunately, I'm not an electronics expert, so don't do any custom mods. Also, the 105s I've collected over the years are starting to show their age - three of them tend to run hot enough to shut themselves down with speakers which present an awkward load. I keep meaning to send them back to Meridian for repair, but it's like sending a pet to hospital for something that isn't life-threatening.

Hi Christopher,
Thanks for replying - I am not alone. There was a guy who used to list on eBay a recapping service for 100 series amps. Haven't seen him on there for a long time. I think he came from Middlesbrough. I'm suprised that Merdian will still repair them - maybe I'll give them a ring. What phono modules have you got? Mine's an Asak and I've also got a set of mm modules. I could really do with something more suitable to match the higher output of my Lyra lydian.

Cheers, Ian

Hey Lads,

I'm a big fan of Meridian kit both new and old though that doesn't necessarily apply to all their gear. Although I loved the look of all the 1xx kit I wasn't impressed by it all. I auditioned pretty much all the 1xx gear and then bought a 101 together with a pair of the little M3 actives (my very first M purchase 20+ years ago).

I later found the 101 preamp was pretty soundly trounced by both later generations of Meridian gear like the rather fragile "Control Amplifier" building block preamp and the 201 not to mention a number of American competitors. On the other hand, Meridian's early active loudspeakers and stand-alone power amps all still rock today.

Likewise, although the MCD and MCD Pro were arguably the first decent sounding CD sources, they sound pretty foggy compared to more modern fare. Once again move a little further forward in M history and the 2xx CD players still compare favorably to a lot of current day gear, particularly at the bargain used prices.

How big of a vintage Meridian fanboy am I? In addition to all our current DSP kit, we count two pairs of M2s, a pair of M3s, a pair of M30's and a pair of M100 actives, along with 206B, 208, 201, and 204 components scattered about our home and offices.

Happy Trails!
Vince@freewheelcycle.com

Hi Ian,

My history with Meridian is fairly short (I started owning M gear only about two years ago although heard their CD Players in the 90s) and it started with the 101 Pre and 105s Monblocks which I got as a loan and I fell in love with the M sound.
They replaced a NAD 317 and needless to say they kicked the poor 317's butt...They sounded much more open, fast, transparent and involving.
Back than I was using naim CD5 that sounded bright and "in your face".
Than I switched to 596 DVD/CD Player (huge improvement in sound over the naim CD5 and a bunch of others I tried like Raga Apollo, Nad 542, Unison Research Unico CDP).
Still the 105s were really impressive, both with 101 and later with 541...until I tried a G02/G57
My goodness...
This was a different league altogether. Some of my female vocal CDs (like Diana Krall, Trio-Esperança, Norah Jones, Cesaria Evora, Astrud Gilberto, Gal Costa) sound, for lack of a better word:Dramatic.
As much as I liked the 101/105s they sounded mechanical, two dimensional and "hazy" compared to the G57 (my personal opinion).
I used the G57 both with the 541 and G02 and the G02 added 3 dimensional sound, immediacy and air. It almost felt as if the sound is processed to present ambiance. The speakers disappear.
My Sonus Faber Grand Piano speakers are very revealing and one can easily tell the differences when changing equipment.

Regarding the old M gear :Nostalgia has its place and as a two channel fan reading all the good reviews of the old M gear I was a bit surprised by how much better the G02/G57 sounded especially when Meridian is mostly known and regarded for its digital gear but the proof is in the pudding.

Now you have two options:
1. Plead ignorant and avoid auditioning the G02/G57 and enjoy the 101/105s - the cheaper option...
2. Try them for yourself and fall in love with the magic as I did.

I cannot blame you if you choose option 1:
I am now in denial of the G08 let alone the 808...

Whatever you do enjoy the music!

Cheers,

Doron

Its fun to find old stuff

It can sound great

There was a M1 active pair of speakers on the Bay recently

�900

Looked very cool

Would still sound impressive with a 100 pre.

Hi Ian,

I swapped a Naim 72/Hi-cap/250 for a Meridian 101/105s and I've never looked back.

Two things I've done. Rewired the amps so that each box has a dedicated power cord hard wired into it rather than the mad daisy chain arrangement they came with. I also replaced the pre-to-power amp leads with some cable I got from John Watson at Mana and better DIN plugs.

Both of these simple mods were very worth doing. They cleaned up the sound quite a bit, especially at the top end. These amps may not be the last word but they are good amps and you'd have to spend thousands to better them today.

Hi Guys,
thanks for your replies and apologies for slow response. I've been a bit busy on Lenco builds and helping with the admin over on www.lenco-lovers.com. (you can see my TT in the show off section if you are interested - it's called Stanley).
The Meridian's have been out of the system for a while but are now back in and singing well. I have previously owned a 501/557 combo which was very good but somehow the 101/105's do it for me. Anyway, I happen to have a long DIN to phono cable to connect the pre/power but a friend gave me an original Meridian DIN to DIN cable. Although longer and not shielded this cable actually seems to improve the sound. Not what I had expected.
Mr Pig, thanks for your tips. I will, one day, want to get these amps properly serviced given what people say about old caps. I don't suppose anyone knows of a reliable person to carry out this update?

Cheers, Ian

My first real hifi was a 101/104/103D combo driving Isobariks. It's still around the house. This has been followed by a succession of 100 series, 200 series & 500 series in various guises. Currently I'm looking for a 201 & 212/213 to add to a 200/263/204/M2 system I'm puting together for the dining room.

I was just about to snipe a 201 on eBay this afternoon (yup, the one Ian bid on), when the bl**dy cat jumped on the keyboard & knocked the mouse onto the floor...and by the time I'd sorted myself out it had finished.

Suzy Wong you are in big trouble....no Whiskas for you this evening!

On the subject of the 200 series, does anybody have the interconnection drawings for a Q lead (the one that goes from a 201 to a 204?

There is justice sometimes - apologies, but personally I hate snipers, especially when there is an identical item finishing a little later that no one else had bid on but they decide to bid on the item that you are winning instead.