Hi,
I have an 808i and I'm not afraid to solder in it........
(although the 5 jear warrenty isn't over yet)
I've don alot of upgrading in the past,but lack the fundamentel knowledge.
So like many here on audiogon we ask each other and read alot on the internet.
And ofcourse we try many different approaches.
To start with,this is an very expensive cdp.
It retails for $14500 in the states,and mine is les than ayear old.
So why an upgrade now?
Simply because I can't keep my hands off.
Its an cdp with a computer dvd-rom drive, 3 processors, memmory for buffering a computer stile enclosure(pics later) a SMPS enz.
I started with the SMPS.
It's a very standard +12/2.5A -12/0.5A +5/6A powersupply
US made UNIVERSAL MICROELECTRONICS UP0653S.
I replaced all caps with panasonic-fc types exept for the two small ones on the front: Nichicon Fine Gold types just becouse I had them.
The biggest upgrade is the big Black Gate NH type 150/350
It's all burning in richt now so updates on the sound quality later.
I have an 808i and I'm not afraid to solder in it........
(although the 5 jear warrenty isn't over yet)
I've don alot of upgrading in the past,but lack the fundamentel knowledge.
So like many here on audiogon we ask each other and read alot on the internet.
And ofcourse we try many different approaches.
To start with,this is an very expensive cdp.
It retails for $14500 in the states,and mine is les than ayear old.
So why an upgrade now?
Simply because I can't keep my hands off.
Its an cdp with a computer dvd-rom drive, 3 processors, memmory for buffering a computer stile enclosure(pics later) a SMPS enz.
I started with the SMPS.
It's a very standard +12/2.5A -12/0.5A +5/6A powersupply
US made UNIVERSAL MICROELECTRONICS UP0653S.
I replaced all caps with panasonic-fc types exept for the two small ones on the front: Nichicon Fine Gold types just becouse I had them.
The biggest upgrade is the big Black Gate NH type 150/350
It's all burning in richt now so updates on the sound quality later.
Attachments
I would frankly be very, very, very angry if I opened up a player I paid thousands of dollars for and found a switchmode power supply & a computer dvd drive. I would find the designer's house & throw bricks through his windows every night for a month.
Needless to say, the first thing I would do is figure out the voltage/current requirements & completely replace that worthless SMPS with real, linear power supplies.
That's what I really HATE about Meridian. They do nice circuit design on the audio bits, then screw it all up with choices of mechanisms & power supplies & other corner-cutting.
Needless to say, the first thing I would do is figure out the voltage/current requirements & completely replace that worthless SMPS with real, linear power supplies.
That's what I really HATE about Meridian. They do nice circuit design on the audio bits, then screw it all up with choices of mechanisms & power supplies & other corner-cutting.
With you there stephensank.
Don't forget the cd rom drive, it's one of the cheapest available, and has been so unreliable, there have been many returned for replacement because they have become noisy or died, and the machines were still under one year old. But it does sound good for a while at least, I could imagine that with a linear supply would take it up one more notch again as well.
Cheers George
Don't forget the cd rom drive, it's one of the cheapest available, and has been so unreliable, there have been many returned for replacement because they have become noisy or died, and the machines were still under one year old. But it does sound good for a while at least, I could imagine that with a linear supply would take it up one more notch again as well.
Cheers George
This is the heart of the 808, here I can upgrade some crystal oscilators some capacitors and a few regulators with shunt regulators.
I personally consider what you arte doing is flat out crazy.
This is an EXPENSIVE piece of gear, but worthless for resale if messed around with.
If you have the urge to experiment, and this urge I well understand, why not buy the rather fantastic CDP kit from your Dutch neighbour Guido Tent of Tent Labs?
This machine has been designed from the start to be pretty much an ultimate machine, but as a kit it is accessable and there is a whole bunch of people building it and a support forum to help out. Check it out at:
http://www.tentlabs.com/
Sell the Meridian before you destrop it, or keep it as a reference to compare the TENT against.
Meridian the best CDP in the world? I doubt it!
Regards, Allen
This is an EXPENSIVE piece of gear, but worthless for resale if messed around with.
If you have the urge to experiment, and this urge I well understand, why not buy the rather fantastic CDP kit from your Dutch neighbour Guido Tent of Tent Labs?
This machine has been designed from the start to be pretty much an ultimate machine, but as a kit it is accessable and there is a whole bunch of people building it and a support forum to help out. Check it out at:
http://www.tentlabs.com/
Sell the Meridian before you destrop it, or keep it as a reference to compare the TENT against.
Meridian the best CDP in the world? I doubt it!
Regards, Allen
to Allen,
Yes it's crazy I know.....
And yes I very well know of tendlabs I'm even using his material to do upgades to other people's high-end gear.
Thats also the reason for this upgrade(to show whats possible).
I heard the tentlabs cdp a few times now and I can say it is different but just as good as the meridian 808i.
It has'nt got as much resolution as the meridian but it sound more natural "analog".
Maybe I will buy a tentlabs cdp once to keep the meridian company.........
"best" means 😉
Regards, Menno
Yes it's crazy I know.....
And yes I very well know of tendlabs I'm even using his material to do upgades to other people's high-end gear.
Thats also the reason for this upgrade(to show whats possible).
I heard the tentlabs cdp a few times now and I can say it is different but just as good as the meridian 808i.
It has'nt got as much resolution as the meridian but it sound more natural "analog".
Maybe I will buy a tentlabs cdp once to keep the meridian company.........
"best" means 😉
Regards, Menno
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