Meridian 508.20 or Wadia 830 or Wadia 301????

I have a 508.24, wouldn't part with for anything. Both brands are very high quality. I have heard the 830 a while back. I chose the Meridian based on its ability to produce analog like warmth with great dynamics. I would not agree that the Meridian sounds like Levinson. The Levinson is more like the Krell, drier sounding than Meridian, but with good dynamics and detail. I don't you can lose with any of these three, in fact go for the best deal, given they are all in at least 8 condition.

With the Wadia's you don't necessarily need a preamp. The Wadia have a digital volume control and a switchable level output which helps matching the input sensitivities to power amps or preamps. I have a Wadia 301 and found feeding it direct into a pair of Jeff Rowland 201s provides very appealing transparcency and clarity.

Hello again

Thanks for your time so far.

Yes I know about the Wadia digital output level. Let me tell about what I allready had listen to. I have a Krell KRS-2 for preamp...

Wadia 861/860/850/26/27ix

CEC TL-1x

Parasound CDP-2000

Krell old top maschines, can not remember the models name

Audio Note stuff a lot

Of this I like the CEC stuff incl Parasound a lot for it's smooth handling, however, bass responce is muddy and clumsy

The Krell I liked a lot (after modification!), but I need more sweetness

The Wadia stuff I liked all, but I'm not willing to spend more than 2000$ and I prefer a lot less honestly..

So, I'll might go for the CEC and upgrade it, but question goes on the Meridian 508.20/24 which seems to have some of what I need for my system or/and Wadia 830 (not heard it!) and Wadia 301 as I have no reference at.

Some claims the the Wadia 301 is very detailed, but a bit thin compared with ealier models.

I'm aware that digital is very hard to get sound great and at least at no nodest price tag.

I also prefer digital to have at least 16 times oversampling as Wadia and Krell, and dsp as well

I can not find anything about the Meridian at this issue, only 24 bit/192 etc, what do I care , I have a Cambridge with same spec's and it sounds very modest really..

I LIKE HUGE SOUND, SMOOTH AND PALPABLE. i NEED NO OVERLY DETAILS, I DO NOT CARE ABOUT THAT ISSUE. MY TAD WILL TELL MOST ANYWAY.

MY TT REFERENCE IS GARRARD 401 AND AUDIO NOTE SOARA/IO CARTRIDGES.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANY CONSIDERINGS REAGRDING THIS ISSUE.

THANKS

You know, you just might consider the Jolida 100 for well under a $1000. Talk about musical sweetness. I got one for a second all tube based system and when I directly compared it to the Meridian, I have to say, it comes darn close in terms of sonic quality, perhaps lacking just a little bit on the dynamic range side of things, but very sweet musically and very satisfying. For me a real keeper and possibly the best value out there for an under $1K CDP.

Tadman,

I'd look for an old DPA T-1 transport and PDM 2 dac OR an Apogee DA1000E-20 with a Theta Data Basic II transport.

This combos will give you what you're looking for.