Are Meridian Pre-Amps Awful or Something?


I was looking around a pre-amps and, while Meridian's digital gear seems to be generally well regarded and exhaustively discussed, there is almost no discussion of Meridian pre-amps on the 'gon. Are the Meridian preamps the red-haired stepchild of the Meridian line?

The reason I ask is because I'm in the midst of making one of my rigs more fiancee friendly, which means going from tubes to solid state and infrared remotes to RS232 control. The Meridian G-02 seems to be spec'd out well, but there seems to be a disconcerting lack of Meridian pre-amp discussion historically. What am I missing? I do recognize every component can't be discussed, but yikes... its not just the G-02, can't find much on any other Meridian pre's either.

Right now the system is pretty much all digital sources--computer/CD/DVD/CATV -> a dCS Purcell/Delius combo -> ARC LS16 Mk II -> ARC VT-100 Mk IIIs -> Proac RS3.8s. I was going to swap the VT100s for a pair of D240s I've got, but the pre is a ?. I'd like comparability to the LS16 acoustically, balanced operation, and RS232 control...
edesilva
I have a Meridian 502 Pre-amp.In fact all sources are Meridian. Great Review in Stereophile and Hi-Fi Magazines.
Meridian is:

A triumph of marketing over performance
A high end boutique version of Bose
In bed with the hopelessly corrupt Stereophile
Dated in its styling
And pseudo scientific re the state of digital audio

But these are just my impressions, and I could be wrong.
You will find very few instances of Meridian preamps being used in mixed systems driving non-Meridian power amps. The control options are excellent, but the sound doesn't warrant the cost. What's wrong with the LS16? Sound comparable to it with RS232 control is an elusive combination. I'm trying to think of something worth considering....

Phil