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October 10, 2010 - 6:24pm
#1
The "GREAT" Meridian CD player is missing from your Recommended Components list
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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.
The version I reviewed was a favorite but has now been replaced by a new model, hence its removal from "Recommended Components."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 Now superseded by the 808.3?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.
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
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!
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. 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? 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? Can't there be a rule of not reviewing stuff that will be discontinued in a few months?
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?
Thanks!
$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?
You are a comedian right? Why does the magazine publish a list of recommended gear with a high level description of each unit? Do you think anyone would buy just based on a recommendation? Maybe it is to create a list to help the consumer to narrow down the audition choices, kind of like the purpose of the magazine itself?
And why would I, as a consumer, not want cheap and innovative products? In case you didn't get the point of my comments, I would like to see the audio media be a bit more vigilant and look after the consumer so they can avoid spending mega bucks on a piece of gear which is to be discontinued in the next few months. Is that too much too ask? Most of the guys who bought the Meridian player (or the Magico speaker) would feel much better if the bought the latest unit, instead of spending a lot of money on something that is out of date.
Now I am not sure I get the point of your post or whose side you are on. You must really like to type.
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.