Meridian 808.3


TAS (Robert Harley) raves about the 808.3, saying it lacks all glare and steely timbres. Is it that good? The 808.2 got a mixed reaction around here, so is the new one that much better? I don't see much talk about it here or anywhere else.
TAS seems to praise it higher than the (higher priced) EMM XDS1 (on redbook, of course, since the Meridian has no SACD).
Has anyone compared it to a current EMM CDSA-SE?
Thanks in advance.
rgs92

Showing 4 responses by rgs92

Well, they will probably be used for around $10K or less soon.
(They are about $12-13K now.)
An Accuphase 75V was going used for $8K 10 years ago,
and that was a so-so player. (I sold mine.) So if the Meridian is really as good as TAS claims (which I doubt considering the lack of attention around here), it would be worth it.
The EMM SE separates (to my ears IMHO) I would say are worth every penny at the $9K they sell for used.
Re: (Vermeal: "Hire a band")

Oh-oh, looks like my wife found me out here on Audiogon.
Listen Honey, if this is you, I promise not to use all of
Mr. Whiskers' fresh litter for my speaker stands again.
love and kisses :-)
I found this interesting review about the 808.3, where it sounds very favorable, but the text sounds like it is ruthlessly revealing, and says that it appeals to the intellect rather than emotions, which sounds kind of negative to me.

techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/cd-players-and-recorders/meridian-808-3-signature-reference-902692/review?src=rss&attr=reviewall&artc_pg=2

It seems that the 808.3 and the EMM XDS1 are the most well-known names in the ultra-high-end player field.
It also seems that there is little experience with them here or asylum.