I think that JA owns and uses the updated Ayre C5-XE/MP universal player. He may even have a Meridian player on hand as well. If the player is discontinued that may be why it is missing.

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Is it me, or is it some kind of an oversight? I thought this was Mr. Atkinson favorite cd player!

The version I reviewed was a favorite but has now been replaced by a new model, hence its removal from "Recommended Components."

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

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Is it me, or is it some kind of an oversight? I thought this was Mr. Atkinson favorite cd player!

The version I reviewed was a favorite but has now been replaced by a new model, hence its removal from "Recommended Components."

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

I've always felt that policy peculiar to say the least. Why not include the original comments with a simple note. Now superseded by the 808.3?
Being in love with my 808.2, apart from it's dental surgery looks, I'm biased though.

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The version I reviewed was a favorite but has now been replaced by a new model, hence its removal from "Recommended Components."

I've always felt that policy peculiar to say the least. Why not include the original comments with a simple note. Now superseded by the 808.3?

Because: 1) why list a product that readers are unable to audition and buy? and 2) if we did that with every component that has been discontinued, "Recommended Components" would rapidly expand to use up all the editorial space allocated for that issue. :-(

The original listing for the Meridian lives on in the back issues. And we do list the reason for a product being deleted from "Recommended Components."

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

$90K for the M5 when the same or better sound can be had for a fraction of that?...be it the Q5 or any number of other more reasonably priced speakers. I'm guessing JV was responsible for many ponying up the big bucks for the M5. I wonder how long he will be able to hang on to the review pair.

Hold the presses. JV has a new "best speaker"....(drum roll).....the Magico Q5...(cymbal crash)

JV new best speaker..

Why on earth would you give one gosh-damn whether any component is on the Recommended List or not?

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Is it me, or is it some kind of an oversight? I thought this was Mr. Atkinson favorite cd player!

The version I reviewed was a favorite but has now been replaced by a new model, hence its removal from "Recommended Components."

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Thanks, Mr. Atkinson.

Ouch!!!! In addition to your review, I think the TAS editors went goo-goo over this player also. If I purchased that version just a few months ago at the "height of the buzz", I would be down over $12K!

Even if the unit were still on the list, you'd be "down" the same 12K, no?

But economics aside, what has happened to simple fairness? Meridian takes these great reviews of its player and replaces it immediately - and no one seems to give a damn.

Yeah, they should keep making the same damn thing, no matter if they figure out how to do better.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and agree that at that price point, an upgrade path should be offered.

Likewise, Magico reaps the benefits of the M5 speaker reviews, called one of the best speakers on earth by TAS, and replaces it with a model that costs much less yet sounds much better. Don't these guys have any morals or consideration for their customers?

WTF? That's a good thing. Should it still cost a million dollars for a 1 megahertz Intel chip from 1975? Early adopters of all technology know price goes down per unit of quality over time.

Are these guys heartless, clueless, or both? If Home depot raised the prices of nails and lumber right after a hurricane, this would be all over the media. Home Depot would be excoriated for their unfair business practices. Any chance you guys can do a better job of policing this stuff?

Wait, first you complained about Magico lowering prices and improving quality, now you are saying they keep quality the same and increase prices unfairly?

Can't there be a rule of not reviewing stuff that will be discontinued in a few months?

Hmmmm, and how would JA know this?

Looking for a new player, this really puts a bad taste in my mouth buying a meridian product. Considering the sonic signature between the new and old Meridian players will mostly remain in whole, what do you think I will be missing in the "meridian sound" if I instead purchased the similarly priced Playback designs player you guys have rated very highly? What does the Playback Designs player do better than the meridian? what does it do worse?

The answer lies not with Stereophile, but with you. Go find out! For those prices, you can afford to go somewhere and do an audition of your own. Those questions are yours to answer.

Thanks!

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Looking for a new player, this really puts a bad taste in my mouth buying a meridian product. Considering the sonic signature between the new and old Meridian players will mostly remain in whole, what do you think I will be missing in the "meridian sound" if I instead purchased the similarly priced Playback designs player you guys have rated very highly? What does the Playback Designs player do better than the meridian? what does it do worse?

There was a relatively consistent 'Meridian Sound' until the 808.2. That sound, although I could never quite point a finger at anything obviously wrong, left me cold. The 808.2 broke the mould and continues to give me almost as much joy as analogue . I've heard the new Ayre & Moon players which are it's equal if not better in the Moon's case, in my opinion.
What is it about audio technology that sees the near perfection of a medium when it's just about to become obsolete?
And as to the devaluation of components due to being replaced by later models I don't regret a single cent spent on the 808.2. I do however regret the obscene amounts of money I've spent on far too may other CD players over the decades in a misguided attempt to convince myself they could be as musical a good analogue.