I still have my 508.20 from 1995; upgraded to the 508.24 in 1998. I have since added to my main system a Meridian Director DAC that I bought at half-price when it was discontinued a few years ago. Today I mostly play FLAC files off a NAS drive, or stream Tidal, through a lowly Sonos Connect, outputting to the Director DAC. The 508 gets little use anymore. I actually prefer the sound of playing FLAC files through the Director over playing CDs through the 508. Very similar overall sound, but I think there is a tad more detail and air with the Director (plus the convenience factor). The 508 still sounds great and I'll keep it until it dies, but I rarely buy or play CDs anymore.
Meridian 508.24...sound compared to newer players
I've owned the 508.24 for about ten years now...having upgraded from a 508.20 to .24. I know for many years this CD player was highly regarded and my long term relationship with it is a testimony to how well I think it sounds. However, I know many advancements have been made over time but I have not really kept up with or listened to many newer high end players. While not on it's last legs, I realize that a 10 year old CD player will not be lasting forever (I already replaced the laser). So I may be looking soon at a replacement. To those of you who have owned the 508.24 or are aquainted with it's sound, I would like to know your impressions of it compared to the newer high end players in the $2000-$3500 price range. One player I am specifically interested in is the Bryston BCD-1. Anyone compared these two? Any recommendations or comments would be welcomed.
Thanks
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