The latter was designed around the Philips 14-bit, 4x oversampling technique (as the earlier Meridian players had been…
search
In a way, you could say that Meridian started the now epidemic practice of modifying stock CD players (usually of the Philips-Magnavox species). The original Meridian player, the MCD, was a reworking of the first-generation Philips and was praised by J. Gordon Holt in these pages in his 1985 review (Vol.8 No.2). The Meridian Pro (Vol.8 No.6) won similar plaudits, and is still to be seen lurking in JA's system. And the original 207 was well-received by MC in Vol.10 No.3.
The manual supplied with the Meridian is thorough, but fails to explain the function of several of the six LEDs configured in two columns in the center of the display panel. The first indicates the selection of CD absolute-phase reversal. Below that is a display indication which lights up on selection of any of the special display modes. Repeat play selection is indicated by the third LED. The second column gives unique information not provided by most players. The top light (EQ) indicates if the disc was recorded with pre-emphasis (used in a distinct minority of recordings, if my…
Perhaps more than any other characteristic, the 207 excelled in the ability to extract a natural sense of the performing soundspace from the best CDs. I've used (and referred to) Two Gentlemen Folk (Telarc CD-84401) frequently in the past. The two audience sing-alongs on this recording ("The Leaving of Liverpool" and "Waltzing Matilda," footnote 4) are good indicators of depth and ambience. Through the 207, the audience on both of these selections was spread wide and deep behind the soloists. This is an artifact, of course; the audience should actually be positioned around and behind the…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Solid-state CD player with integral line-level preamplifier. Phono stage (moving-coil/moving-magnet) optional. D/A Conversion: 16-bit, 4x oversampling. Frequency response: unspecified. S/N: greater than 90dB. THD: less than 0.004%.
Dimensions: Transport and control unit, each 6.3" W by 3.9" H by 12.6" D. Weight: 18 lbs.
Price: $1990. Phono stage: $250 (option). 209 remote: $150 (option), 1988; no longer available, 2010. Approximate number of dealers: 55.
Manufacturer: Boothroyd Stuart Ltd., Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire UK. Imported by…
Sidebar 2: Review System
The 207 was auditioned in a system consisting of the Klyne SK-5a preamp, Motif MS100 power amplifier, Monster interconnects (Interlink Reference X and M1000) and loudspeaker cables (M1), and B&W 801 Matrix loudspeakers (mono-wired, without equalizer) on Sound Anchor stands. The PS Audio 4.6 preamp (with M-500 power supply) and California Audio Labs Aria Revised, Tempest II, and Audio Concepts/MSB Silver CD players were also used for comparisons. To test the 207's optional phono stages, a VPI HW 19 Mk.II with Well-Tempered Arm was brought into play. A van den…
John Atkinson Comments, from May 1988 (Vol.11 No.5)
In Vol.11 No.4, JGH enthusiastically reviewed a series of recordings made with the new Colossus recording system (p.153). The reason for his enthusiasm was that these recordings totally lacked any sign of the dreaded "digititis" so prevalent in modern classical recordings, leading him to proclaim that the Colossus "could justifiably be included in any contemporary listing of the seven wonders of the audio world."
My appetite whetted, I listened to one of these recordings, Stephen Kates playing Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata in G…
Manufacturer's Comment: Colossus Recordings
Editor: Upon receiving the critique by John Atkinson, a laboratory examination of the specific compact disc in question was made by Lou Dorren. Lou's comments are as follows:
1) The original PCM-1 digital master is clean, with no distortion as described by JA.
2) When the PCM-1 to Colossus transfer was made, the digital medium was truly exercised with regard to program level.
3) This push of the medium may cause the kinds of distortions referred to by JA. The levels on this disc were recorded within 8 bits [LSBs] (…
I was sitting in the main listening room of In Living Stereo, a small Manhattan hi-fi shop nestled between Greenwich Village and the East Village, when my conversation with store owner Steve Mishoe turned to the economy's current dismal state. In the face of slow sales, Mishoe had noted an encouraging trend: Because we have less money to spend, we want to make sure that what money we do spend goes for products that not only deliver the thrill of something new, but also promise enduring quality. If this is true, then we have reason to celebrate. By shifting our focus from the so-called "latest…
2009 Loudspeaker of the Year
Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 ($68,000/pair; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.9, September 2009 Review)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Aerial Acoustics Model 5B ($2200/pair; reviewed by John Marks, Vol.32 No.6, June 2009 Review)
DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine ($6500/pair; reviewed by Art Dudley & Jim Austin, Vol.30 No.12 & Vol.32 No.5, December 2007 & May 2009 Review)
Dynaudio Sapphire ($16,500/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.1, January 2009 Review)
Hansen Prince V2 ($39,000/pair; reviewed by…
2009 Joint Digital Source Components of the Year
Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB D/A converter ($2500; reviewed by Wes Phillips, Vol.32 No.10, October 2009 Review)
dCS Scarlatti SACD playback system ($79,996; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.32 No.8, August 2009 Review)
Meridian 808i.2 CD player ($16,995; reviewed by John Atkinson, Vol.32 No.4, April 2009 Review)
Runners-Up (in alphabetical order)
Ayre Acoustics CX7-eMP CD player ($3500; reviewed by Robert Deutsch, Vol.32 No.10, October 2009 Review)
Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 digital processor ($495;…