I had a 506.24 & currently use a 508.20. The 508 models have balanced outs if that's a consideration and I picked the 508.20 over the .24 because of the transport. It uses the 12.4 as opposed to the 12.5 and is a bit smoother both mechanically & sonically. I also had mine upgraded with Blackgates & Schottky's, so a comparison with a 508.24 would be skewed.
The 508.20 is a smoother sounding unit than the 506.24, although the 506.24 is a nice CDP. I picked the 508.20 to modify over the 506.24 because of the balanced outs & the transport, although if there ever was a problem with the .20, Meridian would replace it with a .24. This I know as I called them to check on a serial # & they volunteered the info.
Another consideration is that I can leave the 508.20 hooked to the system via the balanced connections & also run my headphone amp off the RCA's of the Meridian.
A review of the 508.20 http://www.vxm.com/21R.96.html
The 508.20 is a smoother sounding unit than the 506.24, although the 506.24 is a nice CDP. I picked the 508.20 to modify over the 506.24 because of the balanced outs & the transport, although if there ever was a problem with the .20, Meridian would replace it with a .24. This I know as I called them to check on a serial # & they volunteered the info.
Another consideration is that I can leave the 508.20 hooked to the system via the balanced connections & also run my headphone amp off the RCA's of the Meridian.
A review of the 508.20 http://www.vxm.com/21R.96.html