Mention the word "meridian" to any audiophile who is current with gearproduced over the past 15 years, and the image of a company known for
producing fine digital products (cd players especially) comes to mind.
Despite this well known fact, I am hear to notify you that this same
company produces probably one of the finest 200 watt solid state amplifiers
currently made. The Meridian 557 amplifier unleashes 200 8ohm(360+ 4ohm)
watts of as pure amplification. I believe it be one of the best products
available in any price range. I Did a comparison test in my own home, of
the 557 vs an ARC D-400, which happens to be a $6000 solid state receiver
produced by Audio Research Corporation. The only slightly significant
difference I could hear between the two was a slight (and I do mean slight)
low end delivery from the D-400. This minor gain surely did not justify
itself enough to pay an additional $3500 to obtain it. I respect the fact
that there are certain high end manufacturers which produce some real decent
gear in the upper range. I however am on a realistic budget and therefore
do not have the funds or the desire to own these products. Anyone shopping
the used market for a 557 can obtain one probably in the $1300-1500 range.
This amplifier probably has the best design of any amplifier I have seen.
It weighs 67 pounds and is designed around a non traditional sized chassis
which makes it easier to install on your system rack or to mount on its own.
It contains two sets of binding posts for each speaker making bi-wiring a
snap. It also contains balanced an SE inputs. The balanced mode connected
to the Meridian 502 preamp is about as good as it gets for the money. I
have also tryed the 557 with the BAT VK5-i preamp. The VK5-i really revealed
the potential of the amplifier. The two combined produced one of the
greatest soundstages I have ever heard in my home or elsewhere.
I guess the real question is?........Why the heck has no major audio
magazine or website review released any information on this product? A
very puzzling thing to be sure, especially since everyone raves about
Meridians' cd products. No matter. If you have not heard of this amp, you
don't know what you are missing. It is quiet, operates cooler than any
amp that I've known, and produces the best sound anywhere for the money.
If you are looking for a new or used amp my suggestion is, "buy it."
System:
Meridian 557
Meridian 502 preamp
Meridian 506 cd/Sony CDP XA77ES
Martin Logan Sequel II's
JPS Labs Superconductor interconnects
AudioQuest Diamond XLR interconnects
Monster Sigma Reference2 speaker cable

I bought a Meridian 557 power amp (along with Meridian 502 pre-amp) about a year ago and am thoroughly impressed. The power delivery is effortless (>200 watts rms and maintaining the current drive into low loads). The sound is clear and clean and the imaging which my B&W P6 speakers produce are rock-solid and deep. The amp itself is well constructed but has a bridging switch at the back which is next to the power on/off which is a bit of a pain, but if you leave the amp powered up all the time ( as I do), it's not too bad. The amp itself is very heavy - has a huge transformer which accounts for most of its weight. Although quite big, it looks 'nice' with a smoked black glass top to match the finish of other Meridian products. I compared the amp to other products similar in price (eg 2 x Audiolab power amps) and found it had that rhythm and drive of the speaker cones without losing control. The Meridian 502 pre-amp, incidentally, blows the earlier 501 out of the water and is well matched to the 557 via balanced leads. A super product and one which is 'affordable' high-end hi fi.

The Meridian 557 is truly a stealth product with exceptional capabilities. I was able to locate a dealer demo model (I understand the 557 with be replaced soon) at an incredible, close-out price. My search for audio equipment that would work well in a theater set-up led me to look at Merdian's line. After purchasing a 508-24 and evaluating Meridian's processor, I decided to give the 557 and the 502 pre-amp a listen. As completely integrated (by brand) systems go, it's hard to believe there is a much better choice for those of us unwilling to spend in the five-figure range.
Using balanced connections throughout revealed an amazing level of sonic clarity and realism. The 557 was more than sufficient to drive my power-hungry stat panels. I was also pleased with this amp's ability to reproduce a very good soundstage. In my opinion, one would be hard-pressed to describe this amp as a "slammer". At least in my system. Yet, its low-end frequency response was very natural. Like others who have provided opinions on this amp, I found it interesting that very few hi-fi magazines ever reviewed the 557. It is cetainly a solid, well-built piece of gear and is quite attractive with its clean, black case. For the money, it's tough to beat!
System:
Meridian 508-24
Meridian 502
Meridian 557
Martin-Logan Monolith III
Audioquest Quartz XLR interconnects
MIT Terminator 2 cables

I have been using it for about a month, and I'm really impressed by it's power and transparency of sound. Every detail can be perceived, I say because I had the Yamaha MX1 and there is a huge difference. I have Infinity Kappas 8.2i, and at last begin to feel it's quality. Now I know I've got a tremendous amplifier. Long Live Meridian 557.

Refined sound, naturalness, uncoloured, fast, very good control, can handle difficult speakers exceptionally well

Strengths above do really only come out when the amp is driven via the symetrical input. RCA input sounds rather ordinary

After a nerve and time consuming struggle, I have finally found a power amp, that can make my B&W 801 Matrix S3 sing and dance. I have tried several alternatives but always felt there that the speakers were not anywhere near their capabilities. However, the degree of sound quality drops quite a bit when using the "normal" RCA inputs (I tried them with a pair of audioquest Emerald and VanDenHul the2.nd to no effect). Once the balanced inputs are used, this amp really breathes new life in almost any recording. It conveys the recording quality so impressively, that I could hear that one of my CD-PreAmp lines had been accidentally connected in the wrong direction!
In generall, this amp has the all to seldom quality of allowing you to forget about the technical background when you are listening to the music. Even though there will be better products, at quite a considerable higher price, you will not think about them, since the 557 sounds so right.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 4B-ST, Audio Research D240, Kenwood L-1000M

powerfull, bridgeable, good balance of sound, good protection circuits

none known

The meridian 557 power amplifier is a powerfull amp at 200x200 wpc @ 8 ohms and 690 watts at 8 ohms bridged. I bought one and used it as a stereo power amp and then when I could afford it, I bought another and used them bridged, putting each one very close to the speakers and using long interconnects.

The sound is very balanced either way. I prefer the sound as I have it set up now. Bass is very deep and textured. mids are clean and smooth treble as it should be. Build quality is excellent. After sales service is very good. I bought both my P/Amps second hand. One is older than the other and there is some differences although they are identical in the "sound" department. The bridging switch on one is different and there is some other differences so meridian say, but they said "send us the older one and we will upgrade it to the same spec as the newer one without charge". Theres not a whole lot more I can say about it except that it does what its supposed to, can produce over 1000 watts into 4 ohms bridged, cant be damaged by short circuit or thermal damage. They weigh a ton, have balanced and RCA inputs, double outputs for biwireing.

I use them with a meridian 508 20 bit cd player, 502 pre amp & B&W 801 s3 loudspeakers. As a system it sounds well balanced, nothing too bright and nothing too dull and the sound stage is good. They make all my disks sound good and some very good. As for value for money,(£1500) there isnt a power amp that offers the same sort of power and upgrade option by bridging at that price or less in the UK, but its still quite exspensive for what it is, but then so is all upmarket hifi :o(

Similar Products Used:

quad 707 (also an excellent poweramp and good value for money but not as powerfull and not bridgeable