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

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