So, I've got a 506 CD player and I'm wondering what I should do with it as I don't play CDs any more. Thought I'd ask chatGPT and this is what got. Which I thought was fascinating and somewhat scary at the same time. Can't help but be impressed, particularly with the bit about S/N starting 2 & upgrades...
what DAC chip is in a Meridian 506 series CD player?
The Meridian 506 series CD player uses a proprietary DAC (digital-to-analog converter) module developed by Meridian, rather than an off-the-shelf DAC chip from a third-party manufacturer. The specific model of the DAC module may vary depending on the exact version and year of production of the 506 CD player. Meridian has not publicly disclosed the specific DAC module used in the 506 CD player. However, Meridian has a reputation for developing high-quality proprietary digital audio technologies, and the 506 CD player is widely regarded as a high-end audiophile-grade CD player.
how easy it it to upgrade a 506 from 16 bit to 20 bit?
It is not possible to upgrade the Meridian 506 CD player from 16-bit to 20-bit. The 506 CD player was originally designed and manufactured with a 16-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter), which means that it is only capable of processing 16-bit audio signals. While it is theoretically possible to replace the 16-bit DAC with a 20-bit DAC, doing so would require extensive modifications to the circuitry and firmware of the CD player, which is beyond the scope of a typical user upgrade.
Furthermore, even if it were possible to upgrade the 506 CD player with a 20-bit DAC, the improvement in audio quality would likely be minimal, as the difference between 16-bit and 20-bit audio is subtle and may not be noticeable in most listening environments. It is also worth noting that the audio quality of the 506 CD player is determined not just by the bit depth of the DAC, but also by factors such as the quality of the transport mechanism, the power supply, and the analog output stage. Upgrading any of these components may result in a more noticeable improvement in audio quality than upgrading the DAC alone.
I'd read that 506 player with serial number starting 2 were upgradeable to 20 bit?
You are correct, some of the later Meridian 506 CD players with a serial number beginning with "2" were offered with an upgrade path to 20-bit resolution. This upgrade was performed by Meridian and involved replacing the original 16-bit DAC module with a 20-bit DAC module, as well as making other modifications to the player's circuitry and power supply.
However, it's worth noting that this upgrade was only available for a limited period of time and may no longer be available. Also, the upgrade may only be available for specific models or versions of the 506 CD player, so it's important to check with Meridian to confirm if your specific player is eligible for the upgrade.
If you do decide to pursue the upgrade, it's important to have it done by a qualified technician who is familiar with the Meridian 506 CD player and has experience performing this type of modification. Additionally, it's important to carefully consider the cost of the upgrade versus the potential improvement in audio quality, as the benefits of upgrading from 16-bit to 20-bit resolution may be relatively modest and may not justify the expense.
what sort of price does the 506 sell for in the UK?
The price of a Meridian 506 CD player in the UK can vary depending on several factors, including the specific model and version of the player, its condition, and whether any upgrades have been performed. As the 506 CD player is a discontinued model, it is sold primarily on the second-hand market.
Based on current listings on various UK-based online marketplaces, the price of a used Meridian 506 CD player typically ranges from £500 to £1,500, depending on the factors mentioned above. Prices can also vary depending on the seller, so it's always a good idea to shop around and compare prices before making a purchase.
It's worth noting that the availability of the Meridian 506 CD player may be limited in the UK, as it is no longer in production and may be difficult to find in certain areas. Additionally, as with any second-hand purchase, it's important to carefully evaluate the condition of the player and its components before making a purchase to ensure that it is in good working order.
what DAC chip is in a Meridian 506 series CD player?
The Meridian 506 series CD player uses a proprietary DAC (digital-to-analog converter) module developed by Meridian, rather than an off-the-shelf DAC chip from a third-party manufacturer. The specific model of the DAC module may vary depending on the exact version and year of production of the 506 CD player. Meridian has not publicly disclosed the specific DAC module used in the 506 CD player. However, Meridian has a reputation for developing high-quality proprietary digital audio technologies, and the 506 CD player is widely regarded as a high-end audiophile-grade CD player.
how easy it it to upgrade a 506 from 16 bit to 20 bit?
It is not possible to upgrade the Meridian 506 CD player from 16-bit to 20-bit. The 506 CD player was originally designed and manufactured with a 16-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter), which means that it is only capable of processing 16-bit audio signals. While it is theoretically possible to replace the 16-bit DAC with a 20-bit DAC, doing so would require extensive modifications to the circuitry and firmware of the CD player, which is beyond the scope of a typical user upgrade.
Furthermore, even if it were possible to upgrade the 506 CD player with a 20-bit DAC, the improvement in audio quality would likely be minimal, as the difference between 16-bit and 20-bit audio is subtle and may not be noticeable in most listening environments. It is also worth noting that the audio quality of the 506 CD player is determined not just by the bit depth of the DAC, but also by factors such as the quality of the transport mechanism, the power supply, and the analog output stage. Upgrading any of these components may result in a more noticeable improvement in audio quality than upgrading the DAC alone.
I'd read that 506 player with serial number starting 2 were upgradeable to 20 bit?
You are correct, some of the later Meridian 506 CD players with a serial number beginning with "2" were offered with an upgrade path to 20-bit resolution. This upgrade was performed by Meridian and involved replacing the original 16-bit DAC module with a 20-bit DAC module, as well as making other modifications to the player's circuitry and power supply.
However, it's worth noting that this upgrade was only available for a limited period of time and may no longer be available. Also, the upgrade may only be available for specific models or versions of the 506 CD player, so it's important to check with Meridian to confirm if your specific player is eligible for the upgrade.
If you do decide to pursue the upgrade, it's important to have it done by a qualified technician who is familiar with the Meridian 506 CD player and has experience performing this type of modification. Additionally, it's important to carefully consider the cost of the upgrade versus the potential improvement in audio quality, as the benefits of upgrading from 16-bit to 20-bit resolution may be relatively modest and may not justify the expense.
what sort of price does the 506 sell for in the UK?
The price of a Meridian 506 CD player in the UK can vary depending on several factors, including the specific model and version of the player, its condition, and whether any upgrades have been performed. As the 506 CD player is a discontinued model, it is sold primarily on the second-hand market.
Based on current listings on various UK-based online marketplaces, the price of a used Meridian 506 CD player typically ranges from £500 to £1,500, depending on the factors mentioned above. Prices can also vary depending on the seller, so it's always a good idea to shop around and compare prices before making a purchase.
It's worth noting that the availability of the Meridian 506 CD player may be limited in the UK, as it is no longer in production and may be difficult to find in certain areas. Additionally, as with any second-hand purchase, it's important to carefully evaluate the condition of the player and its components before making a purchase to ensure that it is in good working order.
It relies on information from the internet. Those that use it may not know whether it's reliable.
Yes, but it's the depth and breadth of the scouring of WEB content that's both impressive and frightening in equal measure. If there was anything that illustrates that nothing posted on the internet is private (a shock to millenials perhaps) it's chatgpt. Also, I know it's essentially Eliza V10.0, but even so, the coherence and structure of the answers is really impressive with the lack of boilerplate to humanise them.
There's a Ray Bradbury short (Marionettes Inc?) about a couple who both substitute androids for themselves so they can leave their relationship and not upset the other. How long before Chat GPT can handle our messaging conversations for us?
There's a Ray Bradbury short (Marionettes Inc?) about a couple who both substitute androids for themselves so they can leave their relationship and not upset the other. How long before Chat GPT can handle our messaging conversations for us?
It can't know whether it's right or wrong, despite it appearing intelligent. Are you saying quantity is better than quality?
I'm aware it's not 'intelligent', merely artificial, and in some respects just a different way to present the output of a WEB query.
Lawyers questioning witnesses try to only ask questions to which they already know the answers. I'd say there's a certain element of that in dealing with chatGPT. But from my limited experience to date it's pretty effective, and the presentation of the results of a 'search' (for that's what it is) is much easier to deal with. I was asking it about the reliability of proxies for modelling past climate and dealing with confirmation bias in selecting proxies and its answers were rather good IMO.
But I wouldn't have it design a circuit for me, write code or tell me how to perform surgery. But if I want recommendations of programming libraries then perhaps it's a good place to start a search. So I was sceptical at the start, but I'm coming round to the idea that it's got potential as an alternative to having to look through pages of out of date/useless Google output. But it's not the Oracle.
Lawyers questioning witnesses try to only ask questions to which they already know the answers. I'd say there's a certain element of that in dealing with chatGPT. But from my limited experience to date it's pretty effective, and the presentation of the results of a 'search' (for that's what it is) is much easier to deal with. I was asking it about the reliability of proxies for modelling past climate and dealing with confirmation bias in selecting proxies and its answers were rather good IMO.
But I wouldn't have it design a circuit for me, write code or tell me how to perform surgery. But if I want recommendations of programming libraries then perhaps it's a good place to start a search. So I was sceptical at the start, but I'm coming round to the idea that it's got potential as an alternative to having to look through pages of out of date/useless Google output. But it's not the Oracle.
Ah, ok. I'd add another perspective other than asking it a question.
In my experience with reading text which I've expected to be written by a person, and which it wants me to believe was. In cases like this it is not too good.
In my experience with reading text which I've expected to be written by a person, and which it wants me to believe was. In cases like this it is not too good.
And therein lies the problem. ChaGPT will make stuff up, and then double down when you challenge it's mistakes.
jeff
So, basically, the world's first AI politician...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marionettes,_Inc.
https://cpb-ca-c1.wpmucdn.com/myriv...nettes-Inc-Ray-Bradbury-FULL-TEXT-2lz1wnb.pdf
1955 radio play
TV theater (with Ray in person)
I am sure I have seen the same premise treated differently.
Last edited:
When ChatGPT answers your question it could be either regurgitating something someone once wrote on the web, or just making the answer up whole cloth. As a user you need to be better informed than it, otherwise you'll never notice when it just spits out something that 'sounds right' but is in fact utter BS.
It also seems to have trouble with coherency, sometimes...
It also seems to have trouble with coherency, sometimes...
