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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
randyhat
kaufman's avatar
kaufman
40 posts
 
I am listening to a 508.20 upgraded to 508.24 and it sounds great. 
I played with power cords last night and could believe the differences in Power Cords on the CDP!
My reference is a Modwright Oppo UDP205 with $500 of upgrades tubes. The Oppo is fantastic and so life-like that’s hard to compare to other CDPs in my current price range ($3-5k). 
I am keeping the 508.24 but it has some issues with the drawer not opening/-so I am going to try and replace the belt. 
Does anyone have experience with replacing the belt to share with me?
hifijunky
126 posts
 
I had a 508.24 years ago. I replaced it with a Consonance Ref 2.2 which was way better. Now I have Esoteric K-05x far better yet (sacd & hrd). Digital keeps getting better. I still love vinyl the over all.
dinosore
101 posts
 
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.
kaufman's avatar
kaufman
40 posts
 
Thanks for you both sharing your upgrade path from the Meridian 508. I tried a few $2k players from the local hifi shop and none of them sounded overall better than my 508 :)
highend4me's avatar
highend4me
16 posts
 
“Does anyone have experience with replacing the belt to share with me?”

Remove the bottom screws (all torx) on each side (6); remove the screws on the rear sides (4); and remove the rear top plastic cover (push in 3 clips) it will pop off, this will reveal (2) more screws. Once all those screws are removed, the entire top casing slides off if you pull/push it towards the rear.
By hand, gently pull the transport out to the eject/open position. You will see the belt where the transport resides on the right side towards the front.
You can order one here: https://www.meridianlegacy.co.uk/product-category/meridian-500-series-parts/

Being over 20yrs old now, it’s highly recommended to take apart the pick-up assembly and remove all the old grease and replace it with new.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/195557-meridian-508-20-transport.html
After this service you will find the player plays and accesses chapters much quicker, without the usual “Loading....” message displayed.

I still own a 508.24. Mainly used as a transport + Genesis Digital Lens + DAC -with wonderful results.

With advances in PC audio and streaming, there’s no need to buy a newer CD player IMHO.
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