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Review 2 of 2
Price Paid:
$1600.00
from Audiogon Summary:
When I first got this amp I was using Two Vintage Meridian 105s monoblocks along with 101 Pre-amp. Reading Hi-Fi News article "Timeless Design" re the vintage Meridian amps, I did not think that Meridian amplifiers improved that much in the last 30 years.
Unlike digital media that improved tremendously and became closer to LP than ever I always thought (due to my own ignorance, I guess) the there isn't much to be gained in amplification; design wise (look at the renaissance of Tube amps). I thought that the only improvement is that perhaps electronic components (capacitors, transformers, etc) have improved in performance and not necessarily in reliability.
Well, after this long preface, when I hooked this amp out of the box without a long warm-up instead of my 105s Monoblocks I immediately noticed significant improvements in all areas:
Better clarity, better resolution of the most subtle details, deep and broad sound-stage with a sense of air around the instruments, the sound has a sense of volume and authority, there is excellent control of the bass (tight, authoritative with great slam but never bloated). All of this is done in an effortless and laid back fashion and without a hint of harshness or lack of linearity.
The 105s sound like they try too hard in comparison. They sound leaner, more mechanical and less musical.
To summarize: all my pre-assumptions re amplification proved to be wrong as this amp outshines anything I heard before whether former Meridian gear other SS or some high quality Tube amps.
In a nutshell the G57 has the best of both tube and SS worlds:
The linearity, laid-back and warmish sound of a tube-amplifier with the detail retrieving and resolution of the best solid states.
I also found it to be a match made in heaven to my Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home Speakers.
My equipment:
Meridian 596 Player
Meridian 101 Preamp
Meridian G57
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home
Madrigal Labs MDC-1 Interconnects
Cardas Crosslink Speaker Cables
Strengths:
Clarity, Resolution, Detail retrieval
Bass authority and slam
Beefy sound that portrays sense of volume
Linear and laid-back
Never sounds analytical and never fatiguing
Forgiving to most of the average and lower level recordings, especially vocals.
Makes Sonus Faber speakers literally sing!
Weaknesses:
Heavy beast (44 lb) but what can be expected out of 2 X 200 W into 8 ohms dual mono amp?
Good value at this level. Similar Products Used:
Rogue Tempest II, Some Naim Audio amplifiers, ARC, Meridian 105s Monoblocks
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