[JLM]

Please be sure to report back on the Opus.

Frankly I was wondering how far you could take the S/N as the general consensus seems to be that its good for the money, but not a world beater.

[TIC]

Jeff,

I'm pretty impressed by the SN DAC considering the cost. I've owned 2X-3X more expensive DACs that weren't as good. However, I don't like it as well as the DAC built into either the Meridian 508.24 or Resolution Audio Opus 21. Granted the Opus 21 is often considered the best $3500 CD player available today and I believe the Meridian listed at $4000.

I really like my Opus 21, however the Meridian is also very good. I've decided to "down-cost" a bit. I commited to purchasing a used Meridian 508.24 from AudiogoN yesterday. The price was right and it was a trustworthy seller. I'm probably going to sell the Opus 21 and pocket the approx. $1300 difference for use on a future project. I hope I don't regret selling the Opus 21. This is my second one and I did have sellers remorse after parting with my original Opus 21

Back to the original post subject, I do find that the Meridian 508.24 makes a fantastic transport. So, I now will have the ability to use either the analog outs form the Meridian or use the digital out connected to the SN DAC in the Reali-T. Having options is good.....

I also just purchased a Sony DVP-NS999ES for the HT side of my system. I'm thinking of having Matt Anker mod it so it will also be a decent redbook player and potentially a transport. If it turns out well, I would standardize on it and re-sell the Meridian. But I'm not holding my breath!!!


Enjoy,

TIC

[boead]

Yesterday I figured I might as well try the Meridian connected via analog outputs to the Clari-T amp built into the Reali-T and bypass the SN DAC. HOLY $HIT BATMAN!!!! Using the Meridian as CD player connected to the amp (bypassing the built-in SN DacKit) is a huge improvement. It ain't subtle either. Anyone (and I mean Anyone) could hear the difference. The overall sound is much more musical. The soundstage has expanded and filled in. The bottom end got much fuller and more extended. It sounds like I'm using a subwoofer! This is the best bass I've ever heard in my room with any combination of equipment.

I've reached a new all-time high quality of sound in my room. It's da bomb! So, I think I'm gonna try my Opus 21 today commected to the Reali-T/Clari-T. I was hoping to get away with something cheap since I had the SN Dac in the Reali-T, but if the Opus 21 improves my sound over using the Meridian 508.24 I'm perfectly willing to keep the more expensive player. I'll throw frugalness to the wind if the sound is great!

 

LOL! A friend was auditioning, in his home, CD Players and literally went thorough a half dozen or more from a variety of places. After running through some better/popular brands like Shandling, Music Fidelity and Parasound none of which were all that much better then his Jolida with some choice NOS tubes. Then he got an Arcam FMJ33 and a Meridian 566 I believe. WOW!! I then started reading more closely about the differences between these units and the Arcam FMJ 23 which has the Ring converters and decided that the FMJ23 was likely what I wanted and took a leap of faith and bought one used off Audiogon. The sound presentation was nothing short of spectacular. I know that feeling you described, just musical, musical, musical!

I have Scotts newest USB Tube DAC. I later bought his upgraded power supply and I really love it. Esspicially considering the price. Its about $400 and eats my Denon DVD2900 alive, even playing SACD’s! Its very similar sounding to my FMJ in terms of bass weight and authority and to put that in perspective, the FMJ23 has a touch more weight and bass then the Meridian. Sound stage isn’t as large and it lacks the sheer level of detail the FMJ has but it’s very musical. I use Foobar2000 and play mostly WAV’s with it and have been consistently WOW’ed by it. I never heard the other DAC from Scott but he said this USBTD has more weight and musicality then his other DAC’s but gives up some detail and air which is ok with me. Tube rolling can help season to taste.

Enjoy the Meridian, they really are da bomb!

[Dmason]

I sold my Arcam FMJ to a good friend, and some time ago we played the 23 into the Reali-T amp, and I can vouch for some unusual synergy there. I think these Wolfson and dCs Ring DAC's are really fine sounding with the battery powered Vino T amps, so there is a tried and true possibility. Frankly, after hearing that result, I wished I hadn't sold the Arcam. The musical gestalt betwixt the two was hard to ignore. AC member Jiffyboob now uses it with a Clari-T amp, Art Audio PX-25, and B200 DarkStar speakers I built him. Nice rig. I have a Reali-T amp w/ Monica2 if anyone is interested, speaking of non-os, per above.

[TIC]

Guys,

Just as a follow-up, I did buy the Meridian 508.24 and it is a very good transport and a very good CD player. As a CD player it beats the Meridian/SN DAC combo in most regards. However, after more auditioning the Resolution Audio Opus 21 is still better by a small margin. Of course it is also more expensive by about 2X at the current used prices.

Go figure, the most expensive one is the one I like best. I guess I won't be getting that new pair of shoes for the kid after all ! 

Enjoy,

TIC