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808/808i Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
Information contained in this data sheet is correct as far as possible, but Meridian Audio accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend
product specifi cations at any time. Third-party trademarks are recognized as the property of their respective owners. Further technical details, images, product reviews and
company history are available from Meridian Audio or from our web site, www.meridian-audio.com. ©Text & images 2004 Meridian Audio Ltd.
808DS v3.2 • 20.08.04 RE
Outline Specifi cations
THD & Noise: Better than –96dBFS
Mechanism: Triple-beam laser, multi-speed CD/DVD-ROM transport
Converters: 192kHz-capable, 24-bit, Delta Sigma converters operating
at 4 x CD sample rate (176.4kHz)
Stereo Outputs: Analogue: 1 unbalanced on phono, 1 balanced on XLR-
3M: 2.3V rms fi xed/variable, Class A, 47Ω impedance
Digital S/PDIF (IEC60958): main coax with MHR plus
auxiliary coax, operating at up to 2 x CD sample rate
(88.2kHz), 24-bit
Stereo Inputs: (808i only) Analogue: 6 unbalanced on phono.
Digital S/PDIF: 3 coax and 2 Toslink optical
Formats: CD Audio (CD-DA), CD-R, CD-R/W, MP3
Comms: Two 5-pin 240° DIN sockets for Meridian Comms, and
RS232 full remote/confi guration interface. Three program-
mable 12v trigger outputs
Construction: Black lacquer or satin silver fi nish in metal & glass
Dimensions: 480mm (18.9in) x 175mm (6.9in) x 411mm (16.2in) (whd)
Controls: Front-panel keys for Open/Close, Play, Stop, Pause, Previ-
ous, Next, On/Off. Additional controls behind hinged
front access cover include Repeat, Fast Forward/Reverse,
Display, Mute, Volume Up/Down, Store/Clear; Source.
Full remote control via MSR+, RS232
Display: 20-character dot matrix display with adjustable brightness
and contrast. Indicators for Phase, Repeat and EQ (empha-
sis).
Power: Universal power supply for 100–240Vac, 50/60Hz, 25W
808i (Player/Preamplifi er model) Rear Panel. The 808 Player model does not include the analogue and digital input panel areas.
This upsampling allows conversion-related
fi ltering to take place far above the limits of
human hearing, so there are no artefacts
added to the sound – simply the pure music.
The 808 employs exquisite multibit over-
sampled delta-sigma D/A converters, com-
bined with a matching proprietary analogue
output stage of the highest quality.
To ensure the fi nest sound, the 808’s
construction employs a motherboard and
multiple cards. Each card has its own power
supplies and buffering so that each section
– computer, decoder, FIFO buffers, DSP
upsampling, D/A conversion, digital output,
analogue input and digital input – is on a
separate and isolated card. As is traditional
with Meridian products, the construction
uses audiophile-grade capacitors throughout
and each component – even each resistor
– has been selected for its sonic contribu-
tion. The PCBs are all multilayer, many of
them using 6-layer technology for the lowest
noise and jitter and for optimum grounding.
The 808 features a solidly-constructed case
built of metal and glass, fi nished in black
lacquer or satin silver. The casework itself
is non-magnetic to maintain the sweetest
sound.
Our objective
Meridian CD players have been optimised for
the same, accurate sound to which we aspire
in all our products. The chief designer, Rob-
ert Stuart, has a defi nite view that the sound
should be totally natural in the midrange,
and that the high and low ranges should
never intrude – but should remain precise.
We believe that the tonality of our players is
best judged with the fi nest recordings of hu-
man voice, piano and violin. We audition our
new designs using recordings like these, and
if they sound ‘wrong’ in any way, the design
is not accepted.
Another important target for us is that the
player must reveal the ‘space’ in the original
recording. Meridian CD players, and 808 in
particular, are unique in their ability to allow
the listener to hear depth in the recording
and to interpret the side and back walls of
the recording location.
Most of all, the words we would use to
describe the sound of 808 are ‘exquisitely
musical’. Those who are lucky enough to
own this Signature Reference CD Player will
fi nd immense enjoyment, and new depth
and subtlety in well-loved recordings, gaining
a lifetime of musical insight that is simply not
possible with lesser designs.
Additional controls are fi tted under a front
panel cover. Full remote control is also pro-
vided by the included MSR+ infra-red learn-
ing/programmable remote and via RS232.
Signature Reference Compact Disc Player