R390LM

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
This review is for the original 508 CD player- the pre-20 bit version. All I can say is that it sounds natural and does not emphasize too much of anything. I agree with those that say the 508 is polite in tonality- it is just very relaxing. I also agree that it may lack dynamic drive, but, for that, I have the Conrad-Johnson PF-R. I have not listened to the 508.20 nor the 508.24. From what I have read, the "new 508" is livelier with dynamics now included. I think whichever 508 any of us own is a respectable product. The build quality is first rate and it is obvious it was made to be versatile. Apparently the Meridian 500 transport and 563 digital to analogue processor were so good, they were combined into this one chassis we call the 508. That says a lot in itself.

Strengths:
Excellent sound reproduction: strikes just the right balance- not bight and not dull at all.
Solid construction and good weight.
*Like Sam Tellig wrote in a '94 Stereophile review, "passive may be the way to go." I believe the Conrad-Johnson CAV-50 is an excellent match in my own experience.

Weaknesses:
Partially made of glass, so it is a bit delicate to handle.
The original 508 is very hard to find nowadays.
Digital volume control would have been nice (like the 518).

Similar Products Used:
Marantz CD-63SE

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
This is a killer CD player, especially at the current used prices. Smooth sounding player that is also very detailed. High resolution is an understatement. Great bass. This player does not sound compressed at all like earlier Meridian models. The soundstage is wide open and the sound is coherant and well balanced. Much better than any of the 506 series.

Strengths:
Analogue like sound with out smearing any of the details like Linn or older ARC players.

Weaknesses:
Remote a bit large, hard to find mint condition 508.20's.

Similar Products Used:
Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1, Meridian 506.18, 506.24, Wadia 23, Cal Ikon 2

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Heatherdale Audio

Summary:
My system comprises Thiel CS2.3 speakers & Perreaux 200ip amplifier. I have had the same CD player since 1994 due to the fact that no cd player I have auditioned up to £1500 has, in my opinion given any significant increase in performance over my Sony player These include the Meridian 506.24 & Classe. However, with this player I did not have to convince myself, the difference was absolutely clear to hear. This player has a natural, neutral tonal balance with extraordinary bass extension and slam. A very unique quality to its sound is that it provides all you could want in terms of dynamics and subtle detail without sounding anything like a digital source. It reminds me of the sound I heard 20 years ago at a friends house that got me hooked on audio. Its like listening to a top quality turntable. Its difficult to describe without hearing it but it is a most superb piece of audio which has brought a whole new level of performance from my other components. The one point I would stress is that you need to sit in front of this player for a good few hrs because on a short audition you may not find it that impressive, its not got a wow factor like some players that are may not necessarily be tonally acurate. Highly recommended!

Strengths:
Huge soundstage, analogue sound, exceptional bass & not tiring over long listening periods.

Weaknesses:
Not that easy to come by these days!

Similar Products Used:
Meridian 506.24, Classe.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Audiogon Auction

Summary:
I truly can't imagine a better player for Jazz, Classical and female contemporary Vocalists such as Sarah Brightman, Sarah McLachlan, or Charlotte Church. This is the first player that allows me to listen for hours without getting a headache. Something that I realized I had not enjoyed since giving up my turntable 15 years ago. The clarity is also much better than the Denon DCM-360 it replaces. I'm able to make out lyrics I've missed before, now that the veil is lifted. Something else I've noticed is that I no longer feel the need to elevate the sound beyond moderate levels. In fact I'm not even tempted! Quite a shift for me. Unfortunately this player does highlight bad recordings or CD's not recently mastered. Some are mastered at 24 bit which sounds terrific. Older CD's mastered in 16-18 bit reveal background hiss and lack excitement which distracts me enough to not listen to them anymore. Finally the magic is not as apparent to me with Rock or Alternative music for reasons which I can’t explain other than that genre has distortion diffused throughout the music inherently. I've included my system for those of you on a mid-fi budget. The cables and power conditioner made a huge improvement. Adcom GFA - 555 Pro Model Amplifier Adcom GFP 565 preamp Meridian 508.20 CD Klipsch Chorus II PANAMAX M-5500 AC REGENERATOR Zu Cable Birth power cord Zu cable Warmouth 1.0m pair interconnect Verastarr StarrSpeaker Reference cable

Strengths:
Non- fatiguing neutral sound, clarity, and imaging.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from used

Summary:
a well made cd player that makes most disks sound good and good disks sound amazing. if your thinking of spending $3000 on a cd then try this one before you decide. These guys know what they are doing

Strengths:
best sounding player ive heard

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
allsorts tonumerous to mension