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Meridian decided to introduce the 808
Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
for several reasons. We have been both
surprised and pleased by increasing levels
of interest in our CD player models 588
and G08: this tells us that there is a strong
element of enthusiasts that does not want
pictures or complications attached to their
music enjoyment. Some believe that modern
DVD or ‘Universal’ players cannot get the
best from CD because of the additional
circuitry and compromises involved and, to
some extent, this is true.
Meridian also wanted to mark the 20th
anniversary of the category ‘Audiophile CD
Player’ – a category we can legitimately claim
to have invented. Thus the 808 is offered as
an exquisite music-only player, embodying
the very best of our art and technology. For
the first time we are creating a ‘signature’
model – each one hand-signed by Meridian’s
founders, Robert Stuart and Allen Boothroyd.
Player or Player/Preamplifier
808 is available in two forms.
Both versions offer analogue balanced and
unbalanced outputs which can be fixed in
level (to suit a preamplifier), or variable (for
direct connection to a power amplifier).
Both versions also have two digital outputs:
Aux (which runs at 44.1kHz) and Main
(which can run at either 44.1kHz or, via
upsampling, at 88.2kHz, and can use MHR
to enhance performance when connected
to a Meridian DSP loudspeaker or Surround
Processor).
808i adds analogue and digital inputs. This
means that 808i can also be the system
preamplifier. When connected to a power
amplifier or DSP loudspeakers, all the user’s
sources can be routed through the player.
808 Technology
Meridian’s 808 is the latest in a series of op-
tical disc players that use a specially-selected
ROM drive for reading. The ROM drive allows
multiple passes to be made, ensuring that
the correct data are recovered from the disc
and improving Compact Disc’s error-correc-
tion a hundredfold. It also allows complete
buffering of the recovered data.
To ensure the lowest possible jitter, 808
incorporates three buffers, two of which are
used as FIFOs. By the time the data is passed
to the DACs or the digital output, the jitter
is incredibly low – in fact 808 has the lowest
jitter we have ever measured on a CD player:
around 90 picoseconds, with the jitter spec-
trum held below 0.1Hz.
The signal path includes proprietary error
correction and concealment, and Meridian’s
acclaimed ‘Resolution Enhancement’ DSP,
in which the original 44.1kHz, 16-bit audio
is upsampled to 176.4kHz, 24-bit in one of
three 150MIPs processors operating with
48-bit internal precision. This is ‘true’ DSP
upsampling, unlike anything else available in
the marketplace.
808/808i
Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
The press on Meridian’s CD players…
Meridian CD Player
“…a breakthrough for CD players. …[Soundstage] is
where the Meridian renders the competition irrelevant
and worthless.”
—The Absolute Sound, Winter 1985
“One of the most significant developments in CD player
technology.”
—Audio Magazine (USA)
Meridian Pro-MCD
“I suspect that [the Meridian Pro-MCD] will be the first
CD player to be regarded as a ‘classic’!”
—Hi-Fi News & Record Review, Feb 1986
“[The] MCD-Pro… has found itself used as a quality
reference by several CD manufacturers as well as equip-
ment and record reviewers.”
—Which Compact Disc, Jan 1988
Meridian 207
“The original Pro-MCD set the benchmark in its day, but
the 207-Pro was the radical step, placing Meridian for all
time in the CD player hall of fame.”
—Hi-Fi Choice, June 1990
“There is nothing else on the market remotely like the
Meridian 207… It is…one of the finest-sounding CD
players on the market.”
—Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 1988
Meridian 602/606
“In Meridian we might be looking at a company that
has a real contribution to make towards raising CD
performance.”
—Audiophile, June 1991
“…the 602 [via the 606] was damn near impossible to
fault… Its resolution of the subtlest treble details was
intricate to the point of being exquisite… the 602/606
turned out to be a very ‘special’ combination.”
—Hi-Fi Choice, July 1991
Meridian 508
“…the Meridian 508.24…the world’s best single-box
player and used as a reference machine by renowned
US publication Stereophile… brings out aspects of music
that most players can merely hint at…”
—Audio & Video Lifestyle, 1999
“…the 508.24’s measured performance reveals that Bob
Stuart and his talented digital design team have done a
fabulous job.”
—Stereophile, May 1998
Meridian 800
“…a true reference-quality product…”
—The Absolute Sound, January 2004
“…the 800 is perhaps the finest overall CD player I’ve
ever laid ears on. When you consider that there are
some CD-only players round that demand this outlay,
the price tag doesn’t seem all that eye-watering… Takes
audio to another level, if you can afford it. Without
doubt the finest optical disc playing system we’ve
encountered. ”
—HiFi World, December 2002
“…I found that the Meridian… was clearly superior…
not just to my reference components, but to any other
CD front ends that I’ve auditioned or reviewed.… The
performance of Meridian’s 800/861 with CDs is superior
to the performance you get with the great majority of
SACDs and DVD-As through any player.”
—Absolute Sound, December 2003
Building a System
The 808 is a single component, but it is designed to interface seamlessly with other Meridian
products, and with a wide range of third-party audio equipment, to build a system that is uniquely
your own.
You can begin by considering which model of the 808 is most appropriate
for your needs: the 808 player or the 808i player/preamplifier.
808 Player
• Digital and fixed or variable analogue outputs, ideal for connection
to an existing preamplifier or surround controller (eg 861).
• Drives a pair of Meridian DSP Loudspeakers directly (eg DSP8000
shown here) or a conventional amplifier and speakers
• Can be used to create a simple, stereo CD replay system with the
highest quality CD playback available.
808i Player/Preamplifier
• Additional analogue and digital inputs to connect radio, tape,
turntable/phono preamp etc
• Digital and fixed/variable analogue outs: drives a pair of Meridian
DSP Loudspeakers directly, or conventional stereo amp/speakers.
• Powerful and versatile stereo replay system with the highest-
quality CD playback available anywhere, at any price.
Either way, the 808 delivers the same, superb performance.
A pair of Meridian’s
DSP8000s makes an ideal
companion for the 808.