Gentlemen, I feel I must interject. There have been several instances over the years when a new visitor to the forum voices enthusiasm for non Meridian products, and claims superiority for some of his chosen components. Almost invariably, responses here have a veneer of civility, but there's no mistaking the antipathy to the "non believer's" viewpoint. Our replies usually encompass the following themes: Lack of Understanding; Not having heard a properly set up M rig; Accusations of Exaggerated Subjectivity, and finally, dismissive contempt. Not all of these reponses come from the same individuals, but as a mob, we do a competent job of belittling the heretic.

Fanz may well have been overly colourful in writing style, but does that negate his viewpoint, or the assertion that there are indeed superior sounding components out there? No.

Fanz notes that he's not entirely convinced by the various DSP modes. I've had a few weeks now to play with Trifield with 8ks and a 6kc. It can sound impressive on some recordings, but I don't feel it's a panacea, and I'm surprised that many here use it as the default listening mode. I find it exaggerates the midrange, restricts soundstage stage width, reduces bass slam and precision and can sound fatiguing over a few hours. I don't find this with the 8ks alone in Direct mode. I have spent may hours tinkering with each of the parameters, so I don't feel lack of experience is behind my findings. I'm still glad I have Trifield and Music; some CDs sound truly stunning, but I recognise where Fanz is coming from, and it may be more of an issue for him depending on which musical genres he favours.

Can there be better performing components than 8ks? I think there can. I spent four hours yesterday evening listening to familiar CDs via a dCS Verdi la Scala>dCS Delius>McIntosh 501s> Usher BE10s courtesy of SteveH. There was significantly greater clarity, transient speed, detail, air, soundstage depth and width with that rig than I have ever managed from my 8ks. Musical instruments sounded more like real instruments played in the room in front of me than the 8ks have managed in the three years I've owned them (yes, I know what real instruments sound like). My 8ks still win on bass depth and authority, and I preferred the familiar portrayal of the lower mid; The Ushers sounded a little forward in that respect. I suspect that over the course of a day's listening, the 8ks would cause less listening fatigue. Both of our systems can doubtless be tuned for better performance, but I'd defy anyone not to observe these differences. It's not the first time I've heard comparable performance to M gear; a dealer dem of a Wadia 861>McIntosh MA6900>Jas Audio Oriors a few years ago gave my 6ks a run for their money in all bar the bass weight. Interestingly, SteveH's rig would cost virtually the same (inc cabling) as a new pair of 8ks and an M spinner.

My point is that whilst Fanz may have stated his case in a heavy handed manner (and who hasn't at some time or another?) his findings are valid. a@a frequently notes that subjectivity is a major factor, but you'd need cloth ears not to discern the differences available between these high end choices. For me, the more interesting point is that Meridian are moving up the cost ladder, yet we're still not seeing the integration of newer technologies wrt cone materials which the high end market increasingly expects. I know Bob can wring the nth degree of performance out of the current drivers, but surely better to wring the nth degree of performance out of the best of the newer high performance materials?

Ever the Meridian fan, and still aspiring to an 808i.2!

George