If there is a player that is so well thourght out then this is it. Excellent transport where you get the benefit of a drawer and top loading mechanism in the same unit.
This player incorporates what I always look for a Cd-Player:
- Construction
- Components
- Design
- Ssound quality

All of the above are first class.

Had just finished listening to a few choice albums on a friend's Linn LP-12 then went off to audition CD players. Naturally, it was a bit disappointing, in comparison. In NYC however, you can hear a lot of brands in one day! Arcam 9 sounded smooth but sort of slow paced and muddy. The Naim 3.5 sounded very strange with its super fast pace, and was overall not as smooth as the Arcam, especially in the Treble where it actually was hard edged. The power supply upgrade ($750) helped, but not really that much. I realized this was going to be difficult. Next, the Krell 300 player- ouch, my ears! The Krell had such a bright treble that it made listening into the upper mids and highs pure work. I thought that the Krell lacked palpability (my first criteria for evaluating components) in a big way. The Audio Note tubed CD player at S.B.S.- mmmm... really smooth, more analogue, but still a bit harsh on top and lacking full midrange detailI- I couldn't believe that at $4000 I would have to settle this much. No player was revealing midrange information like the Linn LP-12. I began to envision the long process of selling all of my CDs and looking for a table. I heard ghostly laughs of Michael Fremer all the way to the next audio store. The Audio Research CD2- lots more detail all over the frequency range, but still not enough palpability. Everything seemed flat and mechanical compared to the LP. Still, things were definitely improving. Next was the Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1. For some reason I was not expecting much, but this player had very inviting qualities, especially a non-fatiguing ease of presentation. Definite palpability. 100% opposite of the Krell. But it wasn't long before my critical side came out. Detail was missing, especially compared to the ARC. Oh so now I get it- either you can have detail OR you can have palpability, but not both. Maybe I would just by the CAL CL-15. This was a nice player, similar to the ARC, with a little less refinement but I was not getting into the music any more. Either it was the monoblock Krells they were being played through (the easiest way to suck the life out of music) or it was past time for a break.The next day- improvements! The Wadia 850 was a nice blend of good things. The sound was finally musical while inner details were preserved. I started to think I could keep my CDs. The 830 for less $$$ also sounded nice. However (I like to criticize things) the tonal balance seemed a little weird- like certain frequencies had different priorities over others, like someone was 'engineering' the sound. Next, the BAT VK-D5. This is the strangest player of them all. Super detailed mids and palpability, but also funny frequency response like the Wadia. With the BAT, it is clear that the company has their opinion about how they think music SHOULD sound- but so what? They have good taste!- emphasizing midrange detail and palpability. This would be the most fun CD player to own so far, though the Wadia may be a better conservative choice. I thought I would go back to hear the Wadia again at Stereo Exchange.
"What other players do have here?"
"Oh, we also carry Meridian if you wan't to hear that."
"Do you like that player."
"Yeah these players are all nice, but I mostly listen to my turntable."
We plugged in the Meridian and started off with Shawn Colvin's "A few Small Repairs" through an ARC VT-100 and Proac 2.5s (same setup as for Wadia).
Yesssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The same held for a number of other test CDs

In the end, I am tempted to agree with the Vinyl advocates with that current digital is not as accurate at sounding like real music as analogue. This should obviously change when 24 bit / 10 milliion X oversampling becomes standard. What is interesting is that I now think it is probably MUCH harder to make a good sounding CD player than it is to make a good sounding turntable. Of course the Meridian is 'high tech' with 24 bit dual diff. conversion and ultra low jitter, but really, which players aren't nowadays? The people at Meridian somehow found a way to balance the super fine detail offered from a digital source, with a fantastic natural balance that sounds like real music. Unlike the BAT and Wadia I did not find an OBVIOUS emphasis in any frequency area and the palpability of the Meridian was really, really good (maybe this is just a product of the tonal balance). When I returned home, my local dealer asked me if I wanted to hear the Classe or the Linn players when I was in his store, but I was too sick of the whole process to listen to any more CD players. I bought the Meridian, and the only regrets I occasionally have is that I did not buy a turntable, but I got ot keep all of CDs! I hope this helps people in their CD player quest, which turns out to be like the quest for the holy grail!
Now that I have had the player in my system for a few months, my opinions are similar to my first impresions. The Meridian does have a few weaknesses, but it's combination of detail and musicality make it a fantastic piece of stereo equipment.

Note: My system: BAT VK-5i pre-amp, V.A.C. Ren. 30/30 power amp, Merlin VSM SE speakers, originally BEL wire (great cheap wire!) but changing to Cardas.

I heard this cd player today matched to a pair of NHT 2.5i's and the Krell KAV-300i integrated, and I can definately say it's up there with the best cd players I've heard. I couldn't believe how quiet everything was (background) and the resolution and clarity was unbelievable. I only had the chance to demo the player with some old remastered jazz recordings and even on these the player still sounded oh so smooth and natural. I have a friend who owns the 508.20 and I must admit that to me, the 508.20 doesn't get down and boogie as much as I would like it to. On really dynamic rock music it almost seems to take everything too politely, and it also doesn't seem to have the rhythm of some other players I've heard (Naim 3.5 for instance) As such, I wanted to hear the 24-bit version with some serious rock music instead of the standard 'demo' music you usually listen to when auditioning systems (light jazz, etc) Unfortunately I wasn't able to at the time, but nonetheless what I heard on jazz was definately a 5-star performance. A marked improvement over the 508.20 to my ears, especially in the areas of rhythm and overall musicality (I couldn't stop tapping my toes listening to the 508.24!! That's not something I do with the 508.20)

System:Classe CAP-151
Meridian 508.24
Monitor Audio 700-PMC
REL Storm Sub
Cardas & Transparent cables

I purchased the 508.24 a bit ago. It has done nothing but make me smile since. Now I guess it's time to throw my comments up here.

In my search I listened or auditioned a variety of players from Classe (including the .3, .5 and the new 1.5), CAL, Theta, Arcam, Sonic Frontiers, Rega and the Meridian 506. (I know I'm forgetting some in there...)

I actually listened to the 508 about half way through my search on a lark, having not really intended to spend the 4k. After monkeying around at Ambrosia Audio (LA) listening to a variety of players I had them throw the 508 into the mix. The differences between it and the other players I had lstened to were simply astonishing. The first track I listened to was the Cowboy Junkies Trinity Sessions. The female vocals and presentation were simply 'right.' The track actually gave me physical chills (a phenomenon that now gets repeated regularly). There was no edge or harshness in the treble or midrange and the bass was tight and controlled. Everything else in my audition selection fared just as well.

I fought off the initial purchase urge and did some more auditioning, but nothing surpassed the 508. When I brought it home for a test run the soundstage was broad enough to place some sounds ~10 feet beyond the left speaker... physically that's 6 feet through a wall!

My one concern was how the 508 would play w/ rock music and the variety of ambient techno and dance that I sometimes listen to... I found that the 508 coupled with the Classe CAP-151's strong, smooth bass response and the excellent support of the REL I had nothing to worry about.

One final decision maker was the Meridian reputation for providing upgrade paths.

In conclusion, I think may have hit on a really complimentary combination of source and amplification. The Meridian can rock, but it still conveys all the detail in an amazingly musical way. I haven't been fatigued by the player yet, and I find myself listening to even more music than before. I give the 508 5 stars and strongly advise anyone looking for a new digital source to give it a listen.

It has a true analog sound,I dont have to listen to alot of digital jitter like other players.When I listen to the 508.24 I dont get listening fatigue any more I can turn up the volume on my preamp and hear smooth highes a clean midrange and a tight base.It lets your hear all the music that is encoded on your CD"s,and it is upgradeable and ready for future formats.I talked to A rep from meridian corparation on the phone,and he told me that the player will be supporting the super audio cd format in the future.It is built like like a tank, and the anti jitter device that it incorpoarates is one of the best.

They are exspensive,but if your in to high end audio you can not do any better,I bought mine of the audio review website for 1800.00 thats about half the retail price.

My search is over.I will be able to live with this unit for a long time,Dont take my word for it,try one out at your Meridian Dealer.

Similar Products Used:

Sony,Rotel 900 series,toshiba,

analog-like sound. totally non-fatiguing

none

I used to have a respectable CAL CDP, then heard a friend's 508.24 and realized my player was "the weakest link!" Naturally, I obsessed for 3 months (ok, make that 5 months), reading everything ever written about digital front ends, including the new formats coming to market. I then audioned every high end system under $5k, and even a few just over it, thuough I did not get into separates. Anyway, all these players sounded great, no doubt about it, they were better than my CAL player...... I nearly bought the Levinosn 39 (I know it costs more than the rest), but then borowed my friends 508.24 again, just for *^its and giggles...... and low and behold, I had to have it. apparently, Meridian now offers a flagship DVD/CD player, so few retailers have these units around, so I figured, screw 'em, I'll buy a used one. $2400 later and I am the happiest man in audio nirvana.

Oh yeah, the sound.. Effortless reproduction of detail to the level its supposed to be there (not overly hyped up detail for the sake of detail), and the smoothest most delicious midrange of them all - and a bass that pumps and pumps. Soundstaging and images open and rock solid - dare I say palpable. Some may not be overly impressed on a casual listen because it's no neutral and honest. It's the opposite of turning on a player and going "WOW" to find youself thinking "MAKE IT STOP" after 45 minutes because you are tired (can you say Krell?).
Anyway, I am sure there are better players out there, I just never ran into one. Give it aen extended listen, I think you may agree!

Similar Products Used:

AR, BAT, Wadia, Linn, Levinson, BAT

I have been planning a full system purchase for about six months now, listening to just about everything within reach. I now believe that one of the most critical steps to getting a great sounding system, is finding a dealer that really knows how to make great sound. I can't tell you how many dealers can't even get good sound out of great gear. There are so many posibilities with all the different components, cables, room placement, tweaks, etc., that making the right purchase (the first time!) requires either a lot of luck, or a very skilled and patient dealer. The latter of which is probably even harder to find than the former.
On to the review...

Having auditioned a fair number of players from the $800 Rega Planet, the Arcam Alpha series, Classe .3, .5, and 1, as well as Wadia 830, Levinson 39, Cary integrateds, Theta Miles, and a host of DAC/Transport separates, I believe the Meridian 508-24 offers tremendous sound and value, and is my favorite of the group. Obviously I did not A/B it against all the above-mentioned models, but the numerous comparisions I did do (on high-res gear), made the differences obvious and desirable in every way. To put it another way, the only times I heard "magic", was when the 508-24 was spinning. It's so much easier justifying additional expense when there are no other trade-offs. The sound is very transparent, detailed and airy without any etch or grain, and the bass is tight, deep, and impactful. The mids are very natural, smooth, and musical. After initially believing I would not spend $4k on my front end, I am now convinced otherwise. The hardest part is spending the money knowing that the digital standard may soon change. I've concluded that when the a new standard arrives along with enough software (that may really be years from now), I'll buy it. In the meantime and beyond, my CD collection will be well represented!

As this represents the best I've heard, including much more expensive gear, it gets a High 5.

i've been buying and listening to stereo components for 35 years, and the Meridian 508.24 may well be the most musical component i've owned. I auditioned Krell, Micromega, BAT, and Sonic Frontiers players, none of which compare with the Meridian.

I have owned the Meridian 508.24 for about 7 months now and could not be happier.
Before buying this unit I was able to compare in my home a Wadia 850, Sony Xa7E,
Sonic Frontiers SFT1/SFD2-MKII and the Meridian . All Players had there qualities, some prefererred ,some not. But the Meridian displayed a quality that
I guess is described as slam. The music had such impact you cant help being
drawn into it.
The Meridian also has a Digital output that is great for making CD copies.

I also auditioned individually, the Bat,Camelot,Uther,Audio research ,Krell ,and the Mark Levinson. For the price the Meridian was my favorite.

I am using a Electraglide Reference glide power cord.
Synergistic Reference MKII Interconnect.
the Meridian sits on 3 Black Diamond Cones(1-#4 2-#3)
and these are sitting on a Townsend sink.
I am using a Bybee Pro power conditioner.
Melos SHA-Gold Preamp.
Krell KSA-250 Amp.

This is a great sounding cd player, and that is coming from someone who used to find cds unlistenable. I compared the Meridian 508.24 to the Audio Research CD-1, not a fair match since the Meridian is a generation newer. The AR sounds quite good, and is available for a little over $1,000 in the used market. I recommend it for people who want to spend in that price range. But the Meridian is the hands down winner. It is better across the board. It simply extracts more music from the cds. Perhaps most noteworthy is that there was nothing noteworthy. It did not over- or under-emphasize any part, just gave what was there.