no difference between 4k meridian & 400 DVD?

I agee with some of what was said above, I sometimes wonder the same thing about my system(which I believe you are familar with ;) Then I change something in the system-that I have been listening to for a long time-and then BAM a huge change from a subtle upgrade. I would say listen to lots of music through the meridian, for a few weeks at least, then listen to lots of music through the el-cheapo(bet you didn't know I spoke spanish)sony DVD player, if you can't hear a difference unload the meridan and enjoy the $$$ in your wallet, after all your ears are the only important judge when it comes to your system. Enjoy, and don't give up on this crazy endeavor that is audio, it is fun-despite the set backs.

tim

Way to go Natalie, or whatever your name is, offend just about everyone. Although I have no doubt that there are many cdps you might prefer to the Meridian 508.24, that doesn't make them better nor the meridian overpriced. I've heard them all except the very expensive Accuphase players and separates. Nothing I've heard betters the meridian in sounding like real life.

Of course the method of comparison was flawed. But, who knows, maybe S2k, and a lot of other people, can't tell the difference between an expensive and a cheap cd player. They should count their blessings and save their cash. Don't worry, be happy.

I would generally agree with Natalie. However, even if the copy of that CD was inferior to the original the man shoul've heard the difference. Also, I, for example, use a very good Nakamichi deck for the comparison to begin with: except for a very slight noise I cannot distinguish the sound of the cassette and the weaker CD player. When I hear the difference than that player is already quite good. I also support the idea that Meridian is overpriced. In addition, even cheap DVD and CD players sound very different which is also obvious when making the recording on the metal tape. By the way, it is my experience that analog sourses are not that demanding when it comes to interconnect cables.

I started out with some very modest gear. Would add something here somthing there and it just sort of grew. B&W 803 speakers, seperate amps, better player all seemed to be OK. However I was still runnig a receiver as my PRE-AMP, just using the pre outs. Then I purchased a true PRE-AMP. Did no shopping no trying to decide, Just got it (liked how it looked). Took it home expecting to maybe hear a slight gain, but really not expecting much change as evering thing had been real slow (so far) no real thoughts on what I would hear. Installed it and turned it on WOW I mean night and day, Just unreal sound.

The point here is that I knew the sound I had been listening to, but what I heard now was not expected. I knew then and know now how much better it was, no guessing no looking no thinking, what I should here (did not know enough).

In all test that will have any meaning you need to listen to the samething while you are reading, walking around just setting, get to know it by heart and I mean by heart. Then change one thing and one thing only. If you do not know it within the first few minute (this is better or worse), then there is nothing left to say.

I have found that no swithching back and forth waiting for OH what did I hear will ever work. You just start looking to here somthing second guessing what you hear or what you want to here.

I firmly believe to many people spend way to much time chasing a never ending circle of what they think they should hear.

I once came in from a day of being out in the wild country (in Alaska) and being right on top of some totally wild bears and a person said boy you are excited, with out thinking I said if I wasn't it would not have been worth doing and it would be time to quit.

This stereo quest is the same if you can not hear, feal it move you or find the difference, you have lost the excitement of it. Hopefully you will not get tied up in the never ending chase and not be able to just hear what is there.

When you reach a point you are spliting hairs. If it does not move you, then a person has to decide, what am I going to do with this. Me I choose to let it be, as what it was time spent. I will know when I here the next thing that really grabs me until then enjoy what you have. You must have like what ever it was that got you to that point.

By the way my system has grown to a fairly complete system. CJ LS16 MK2 Pre-Amp, Jadis JD-1 Transport, Jadis JS1 MK2 DAC, Sony 9000ES Lexicon MC-1 B&W 801N front mains and 804N rears, HTM1 Center and SCM8'S side speaker, great cables most of the Misc conditioner and such. I am real happy with it.

However as a hobby I will try that next item. I just will not be trying to make it a matter of it has to make it better. I will either like it or will not. Then I will sit back and listen to the ever so great sound I have Until something else jumps out at me.

When something gets OH SO GOOD (to your likes), big changes are much harder to find.

I know the differnce between my 37 36 combo from levinson and the theta miles was huge. No comparison that the levinson rig was better. It actually almost made the theta unlistenable. So i know there are differences..... thats for sure. There have been other times when i a/bd the denon 1650 AR a very good class B budget player to an old sony 5 disc cd changer and could tell no difference at all. Now the system i was using was pretty bad and that could be an issue. Also speaker wires are very important in showing the differences. Once i upgraded my wires differences were much more apparent. You might want to do the same and compare again. - Ian