It appears to be like as if the times of the devoted CD participant are numbered. Most new disc-spinners are likely to have digital inputs, permitting different sources entry to their digital-to-analogue conversion circuitry. All very logical contemplating a CD participant already has a DAC built-in and it’s more likely to be an honest one if efficiency is a precedence.
Meridian’s 808V6 takes issues a stage additional, including the performance of a preamp into the combination. Use an 808V6 as supply and all you want is an influence amp and audio system to finish the system.
You can minimise the field rely even additional by choosing energetic audio system as an alternative. Meridian has focused on such audio system for years, and the method is smart – you have got a minimal of bins, much less wiring mess and hopefully an awesome sound.
The 808 was first launched means again in 2001, however because the ‘V6’ suggests the engineers haven’t been sitting on their palms all these years. This newest model boasts improved DSP, DSD playback, an up to date linear energy provide and a brand new grasp clock. It’s a modular design, which makes upgrading simpler as and when technical advances occur.
Construct
It’s undeniably a powerful beast – shiny, cumbersome but in addition properly completed – this Meridian, like most of the firm’s merchandise, has an aura of understated luxurious. The impact is tarnished a little bit when you look beneath the entrance flap protecting all of the minor controls – the small, cheap-feeling plastic buttons don’t have any place on a product of this worth.
The principle management buttons – working alongside the decrease fringe of the entrance fascia – really feel higher, although.
The 808’s transport is a multispeed CD ROM drive, a lot as you’ll discover in a PC. It usually operates at customary CD velocity, however is able to quicker, a number of reads to make sure an correct restoration of information from, say, a scratched disc.
It sounds intelligent, however the drive’s rickety tray doesn’t encourage confidence. Fortuitously, that has little to do with how properly the drive reads the info off the disc.
Most individuals’s interplay with the 808 will likely be by way of Meridian’s MSR+ tabletop distant management. That is the most recent era of a design that the corporate has used for many years, and for probably the most half it really works properly.
It has a beneficiant working vary and large, well-spaced buttons, although utilizing it’s a two-handed affair. Particular person keys will be swapped out simply, if vital, which is a pleasant contact.
Options
The participant’s connectivity is sweet. It has the standard trio of digital enter choices – USB, optical and coax – alongside a beneficiant provide (six) of single-ended analogue connections.
Optical is restricted to 24-bit/96kHz indicators, however each USB and coax settle for 24-bit/192kHz sampling charges and DSD64. There’s additionally a balanced XLR output alongside a single-ended choice for those who want it.
The large information right here although is the V6’s means to decode MQA (Grasp High quality Authenticated) recordsdata, a Meridian-developed compression format that goals to ship correct sound whereas packaging hi-res music into about the identical quantity of house as standard CD-spec (16-bit/44.1kHz) recordsdata.
It additionally places an emphasis on timing data, one thing Meridian says conventional digital strategies don’t. MQA-encoded software program isn’t precisely in plentiful provide, however there are samples obtainable on-line. Over time availability will enhance.
Delve into the 808’s set-up menus and also you’ll discover tone, part and stability controls. The tone controls are sufficiently subtle to be helpful if a recording is poorly balanced.
It’s also possible to change the part of the participant’s output, which might result in enhancements in sound high quality relying on the remainder of the system.
MORE: What Hello-Fi? Offers of the Week
Sound
MQA music recordsdata appears place to begin, so we obtain Mozart’s Violin Concerto in D Minor and Britten’s Easy Symphony Op.4 onto our standard MacBook Air (loaded with Pure Music software program) and begin listening.
We hear music, however oddly, the 808V6 doesn’t point out that the file is in MQA. It seems that Pure Music at the moment doesn’t go by way of the MQA data unimpeded, so we load our laptop computer with Audirvana software program and issues work correctly.
As soon as up and working, the 808V6 is a nice sounding machine. Our preliminary impression is considered one of a refined, unflappable performer that delivers plenty of perception. That impression sticks all through the take a look at interval.
It’s unattainable to guage absolutely the deserves of MQA with out evaluating the sound to the identical recording in different codecs, however what we are able to say is that each these recordings sound beautiful.
The Meridian’s presentation is daring, dynamic and has an exquisite sense of fluidity. Tonality is convincing, as is the sense of composure. Stereo imaging is expansive, steady and exact.
Switching to the CD drive brings no surprises, and that’s factor. We hearken to Stravinsky’s The Ceremony of Spring and the Meridian sounds proper at dwelling. It renders a large-scale sound of appreciable authority.
There’s an actual sense of menace to the piece, with the 808 conveying robust dynamic contrasts and loads of low-end weight.
We’re impressed by the sense of organisation right here, and the participant’s means to maintain issues underneath management even when the music turns into complicated. This means to sound unflustered is deeply spectacular.
Tonally, issues are on the graceful facet of impartial, the participant seeming to round-off chunk in alternate for its distinctive refinement. The result’s a machine that you may hearken to for hours on finish with out feeling fatigued.
The draw back to such an method is a light sense of restraint; the sensation that the participant is both unable or unwilling to let this moderately savage piece of music have free rein. The Meridian performs issues a little bit protected, which can swimsuit many listeners, however leaves us wanting only a contact extra from it.
MORE: Greatest CD gamers 2016
Whereas this character is extra of a problem with harder-hitting rock and hip-hop tracks, it doesn’t cease us having fun with a variety of albums from Kanye West’s Yeezus proper the way in which by way of to the Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed.
There stays a lot to admire right here from the spectacular stage of element proper the way in which by way of to the wealthy midrange that offers vocals presence.
That excellent news continues by way of to the analogue line stage inputs. Often, such inputs hardly ever sound good on a predominantly digital product – they’re simply not a design precedence – however we’re happy to search out that isn’t the case right here. The participant’s presentation stays cultured and insightful.
We’re equally impressed with the 808V6’s variable output. With merchandise akin to this we are likely to suggest the usage of a devoted preamp regardless of the doubling up of quantity dealing with means. Not on this case. The 808 really has a nice preamp part.
Verdict
Whereas this Meridian’s civilising method to music replay will not be completely to our tastes, it stays a very robust choice.
The 808V6 is insightful, refined and properly outfitted. In the event you’re after a high-end sound with out all of the fuss of plenty of bins and cables this can be a terrific place to begin.
See all our Meridian opinions
See all our CD participant opinions
