808/808i

The Meridian Compact Disc Heritage

1984

Meridian MCD and Pro-MCD

Meridian’s first CD player, the MCD, based on a Philips chassis with completely custom analogue circuitry, was the world’s first audiophile CD Player. Its successor, the Pro- MCD shown here, included a separate cus- tom-designed power supply, DAC and oscil- lator, mounted underneath the transport.

1985

Meridian invents the CD Transport

The idea of separating the transport from the rest of the player – to minimise jitter and other distortion from the mechanism

–was developed to produce the world’s first separate Transport/DAC product – the critically-acclaimed 200/203 shown here.

1989

Meridian 208 CD Player

The highly successful 200 Series included sev- eral CD players. Using different DACs as the technology developed, the 208 was a land- mark in Meridian’s CD player development, with up to 20-bit conversion capability and preamplifier functionality.

1991

Meridian 602 Transport

& 601 DSP Preamplifier

The 600 Series was highly regarded by reviewers and owners alike, especially the 602 transport and its companion 601 DSP Preamplifier, 603 Digital Control Unit or 606 DAC.

1993

508 – Compact Disc Classic

The 500 Series, launched in 1993, developed into a full range of audio/video products, including Meridian’s first DVD player,

the 596, in 1997. Meanwhile, from 1994 onwards, the 508 set the standard for CD until the advent of the G08 in 2003.

2004

Meridian 808 Reference Series

Originally a superb DVD player, the Meridian 800 has developed to become one of the most highly-specified optical disc players in the world, with full DVD-Audio/Video capa- bility. Now, from its impeccable pedigree comes the 808 – the highest quality Compact Disc player Meridian has ever built.

50 awards for our CD players, including par- ticularly prestigious awards for our landmark 207 in Japan.

Over the years we have researched, pio- neered and ultimately mastered the art of refinement of every aspect of CD playback. We showed how jitter was a major challenge to audio quality – indeed, Meridian was the first company to isolate jitter, as far back as 1984. Our technologies include advanced servo implementations, unique power supply designs, significant innovations in the digital arena and, of course, peerless analogue sec- tions. Meridian also pioneered the idea that special disc navigation could improve the playback quality on difficult discs (such as those with fingerprints, scratches or manu- facturing defects). Our players also benefited from digital output capabilities.

Meridian was also the first company to offer a 2-box solution (utilising an outboard DAC), and has developed special phase-locked loops and FIFO buffers to produce the very best result in such systems – including of course our preferred system, a CD player directly connected to a pair of Meridian DSP loudspeakers. The quality of digitally-con- nected Meridian systems is further enhanced by our music-industry-approved MHR inter- connection system.

Meridian has also offered its technologies for the mastering of Compact Discs. Some of the highest quality recordings were made using our 607 A/D converter, while even more have used the 618 Mastering Proces- sor to maximise the dynamic range on disc. Top recording studios tend to use a Meridian player for checking, and over the years a Meridian CD player has become synonymous with the best sound, and ‘a reference’. This is a reputation we cherish, and one which we aim to defend by making each player better than the one before.

Of course, today there are new formats avail- able – with more on the way – promising higher resolution. However, after 20 years, the CD catalogue is overwhelmingly compre- hensive and strongly-supported. Today there are believed to be tens of millions of CD titles available, with thousands added to that total every month. No matter what the success of music on DVD or other formats, many serious music lovers already own a cherished collection of Compact Discs and will con- tinue to buy them to satisfy their particular interests. The serious listener needs to enjoy the very best sound from this huge musical resource.

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Meridian America 808i warranty 1984
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808, 808i specifications

The Meridian America 808 and 808i represent hallmark achievements in high-fidelity audio playback, renowned for their exceptional performance and innovative technologies that elevate the listening experience. At the core of both models lies Meridian's commitment to delivering pure, unadulterated sound that captures the essence of musical recordings.

One of the standout features of the 808 and 808i is their advanced digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) technology, which significantly enhances audio clarity and precision. By employing proprietary Meridian DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithms, these devices offer superior sound quality, ensuring that even the smallest nuances of a recording are faithfully reproduced. The 808 series is equipped with a high-performance Meridian DAC that provides an impressive dynamic range, fostering a more immersive listening experience with minimal distortion.

Connectivity is another strong point in the 808 and 808i models. The 808 features multiple input options, including digital inputs, USB, and analog connections, allowing users to effortlessly integrate it into various audio setups. The 808i, an enhanced version, adds network streaming capabilities, supporting Meridian’s proprietary streaming technologies, which facilitate high-resolution audio playback over networks. This opens up vast libraries of music accessible directly from the device, meaning users can enjoy their favorite tracks without the need for additional equipment.

The 808 series also incorporates Meridian's renowned Room Correction technology, which tailors sound playback to the specific acoustics of the listening environment. This feature enables listeners to experience music as it was intended, regardless of room shapes and sizes, optimizing the soundstage for a more engaging audio journey.

In addition to impressive technical specifications, the design of the 808 and 808i exhibits elegance and sophistication. The units come encased in premium materials with a sleek finish that complements any audio system aesthetic. The user-friendly interface, complete with a high-resolution display, simplifies navigation through various settings and preferences.

Overall, the Meridian America 808 and 808i blend outstanding audio performance with state-of-the-art technology, serving as benchmarks in the world of high-fidelity audio. Whether one is an audiophile or a casual listener, both models cater to the need for quality sound, making them highly sought-after components in any high-end audio configuration.
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