Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 808 vs 808.2

But I cannot help thinking that a disc puck and anti-vibration treatment to the disc drawer and the whole player would be a good idea.

And why can't we have an 808 transport so that those of us with DSP speakers don't have to pay for all those expensive analogue parts?

Some notes about my few weeks with the 808.2 and 7200s.

The 808.2 does not play DVD-A because new hardware to improve CD sound excludes DVA-A.

The loading tray is solid looking and sturdy in function so unfortunately newMeridian seems to have had a bad sample.

I am having problems with 1) a very infrequent temporary sound image shift and tone change and 2) apparently the M comms connections that includes my G91A causing the sometimes loss of sound and at other times an audio blip / click when I move from one source to another or between tracks / chapters.

M is dealing with 1) but have no other reports of that problem.

The second problem may relate to my using the new SpeakerLink / Cat5 for the 808.2 and the previous combined coax and comms leads for the 91. That may be solved from sometime from mid 08 - apparently earlier than later - when Cat5 can also be used for the 91 by using a new M adaptor to connect Cat5 to the 91 RCA.

The speaker grills are very hard to get off to allow M's advice to tighten the speaker screws.

It has been a great hassle waiting for my 808.2 and 7200s to arrive after recurring delays and now to face these problems that I know M will sort out. But note the following.

Don't let my issues put you off considering M's new gear. The sound from the 808.2 and 7200s is incredible and no doubt will get better with further running in. (Thanks pers1 for the great info on running in). Last night when I played Eva Cassidy, Live At Blues Alley, I knew what an absolute gem she was and that M is a gem to allow me in my living room to hear such and incredible voice so incredibly well. I had heard her before in a showroom on non M high end gear but that was nothing like what I heard last night.

Thats interesting. When I spoke with M about lack of DVD-A support, the reason given was that a particular component (NOT drive, NOT MPEG decoder) was in short supply and that DVD-A support was going to be reserved for 8xx series kit. I had assumed that this would be both 800 and 808 but did the 808 ever support DVD-A in its native form? Or was I imply misinformed and that DVD-A is going across all the range.

Robert Harley of Avguide and TAS thought the 808.2 he heard at CES 08 and praised so much was also a DVD-A player.

http://www.avguide.com/news/2008/01...sc-players-transports-and-dacs-at-ces/6/

Ian being told that DVD-A is reserved for an 8xx series may mean the next DVD players and therefore including a Blu-Ray player.

Ian,
I am not sure if I understood you correctly, but the 808.1 DOES SUPPORT DVD-A, though only in stereo form.

I wish that Meridian would bring out a digital only 808.2 (808.2D?); something that would not be too difficult given the modular construction. Then those of us with DSP speakers would not have to pay for all the analogue stuff. DVD-A would be a further bonus.

The June/July 2008 The Absolute Sound includes their 2008 annual Golden Ear Awards. That includes the 808 version 1. Not bad for M's 2004 technology. Sue Kraft who initially reviewed the 808 for TAS has continued to use it. She now refers to contining to be "astounded" by its "extraordinary performance". What she specifically highlights includes its soundstaging, ease with even the most demanding passages, its "absolute precision", and "spectacularly natural and stunningly realistic" vocals.

Incredibly for me she referred to the emotional effect on her from listening to Eva Cassidy thro the 808. Before I was aware of her comments I reported on this forum about the incredible sound I heard from Eva Cassidy from my 808.2 and DSP7200s. I have continued to listen to her Live from Blues Alley CD. I have never felt such a connection with a CD/performer and such a positive and emotional response to music. That I am sure is possible because the M gear is so good.

Ms Kraft also mentions "a potentially ground-breaking new digital filter" in the 808.2 that will later be reviewed by TAS. I expect as earlier announced that they will also review the 7200s.

What are they going to write about the 808.2 and 7200s?

Good one M.

More praise for the 808.2 when heard through the 7200s.

In Stereophile June 08 Paul Messenger reports on his hearing this gear at the February 08 Bristol UK show - " ... reproduction of the CD's seemed uncannily sweet, natural, and free from artificiality" and the "excellent sound". He commented on the new technology, the apodizing filter, and gave some explanation he received from Meridian. Paul will provide a fuller description of the filter in due course.

Great reviews, I will receive my 808.2 any day now. Hope it will do magic through my 8k's also.

That sounds like a marriage in heaven Mikael! I'll have to wait until the Client/Network/HDD solution comes out from M until I can get truly 808.2 Quality sound. From the first note I heard from the 808.1 I knew this was the soundquality I wanted.

Great reports from M Music on own experience and alerting us to reviews.

Would DVD-A not require an additional laser to the one used to read CD's? The provisional data sheet does not suggest that DVD-A is supported.

I'll drink 2 that. Asa is the 2nd person in this thread, now me the 3rd to suggest this. Sure why not make a stripped down digital only version, something like the "J" version of the 68 done for the Asian Market.

Why not make a digital version for M's loyal DSP market?


One also should be able to assume that stripping much of the analogue "bits" out would help sonically too? Think of it as motorcycle or car you can purchase at the dealer but after-market or racing assoc. convert them into race car/motorcycles built to do very specific things at the track. Be light, turn & brake, increase horsepower, and GO FAST.

Your mileage may vary


Best,

Jay