808/808i
Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
Meridian is the acknowledged
There is nothing quite like sinking into your
favourite chair in your listening room, press-
ing ‘play’ on the remote control, and listen-
ing, as the air becomes filled with a faithful
rendering of your favourite recording.
Highest quality CD player
ever offered by Meridian
leader in high-performance Com-
pact Disc playback, and has held
that pre-eminent position since
the release of the world’s first
audiophile CD player, the MCD, in
1984. Over the last two decades,
Meridian has introduced no less
than two dozen CD player mod-
els, each one better than the last;
each one redefining the state of
the Compact Disc art.
808 Player-only version
This is true whatever the format, but the fact
is that there is still one medium that is today
as popular as ever: the Compact Disc.
808i Player/Preamplifier
version includes built-in
stereo preamp functional-
ity: six stereo analogue
inputs, three coax and two
optical digital inputs
A well-recorded, well-mastered Compact
Disc is capable of extraordinarily high quality
results. But to realise the full potential of this
medium, one that today we perhaps take for
granted, you need the highest level of repro-
duction: a truly extraordinary high-fidelity
system, unmatched in sound quality.
A Meridian system.
This steady process of improving
CD performance has been recog-
nized by more than 50 awards
and has made Meridian absolutely
synonymous with the very best in
Compact Disc.
Main and auxiliary S/PDIF
coaxial digital outputs for
connection to Meridian
DSP Loudspeakers or
Meridian: CD Innovator
Meridian’s 508 alone received
more than 20 awards, including a
Class ‘A’ rating from Stereophile,
who, when faced with the superb
performance of 800, had to add
the Class A+ rating!
Of all manufacturers, Meridian has the lon-
gest history of high-performance CD players.
Meridian’s first CD player, MCD, was intro-
duced exactly 20 years ago. MCD sounded
radically better than anything else available,
and still stands comparison with many so-
called audiophile designs of today.
In the intervening 20 years, Meridian has
relentlessly pursued the path of making bet-
ter and better CD players, introducing more
than 24 models – each one better than the
one before. Every model has received critical
acclaim, and we have gathered more than
digital preamps/controllers
Balanced and unbalanced
analogue outputs, fixed or
variable for connection to
preamp or power amp
Now, Meridian introduces the
808: a new member of the 800
Reference Series and one specifi-
cally developed to render the ulti-
mate performance possible today
from the CD medium.
Special Limited Edition
with extended 5-year
warranty
Meridian Audio Limited Latham Road, Huntingdon PE29 6YE, United Kingdom • T +44 (0)1480 445678 F +44 (0)1480 445686 • www.meridian-audio.com
Meridian America Inc 8055 Troon Circle Suite C, Austell, Atlanta GA 30168-7849, USA • T +1 404 344 7111 F +1 404 346 7111
808/808i
Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
The press on Meridian’s CD players…
Meridian decided to introduce the 808
Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
for several reasons. We have been both
surprised and pleased by increasing levels
of interest in our CD player models 588
and G08: this tells us that there is a strong
element of enthusiasts that does not want
pictures or complications attached to their
music enjoyment. Some believe that modern
DVD or ‘Universal’ players cannot get the
best from CD because of the additional
circuitry and compromises involved and, to
some extent, this is true.
to a Meridian DSP loudspeaker or Surround
Processor).
Meridian CD Player
“…a breakthrough for CD players. …[Soundstage] is
where the Meridian renders the competition irrelevant
and worthless.”
808i adds analogue and digital inputs. This
means that 808i can also be the system
preamplifier. When connected to a power
amplifier or DSP loudspeakers, all the user’s
sources can be routed through the player.
—The Absolute Sound, Winter 1985
“One of the most significant developments in CD player
technology.”
—Audio Magazine (USA)
808 Technology
Meridian’s 808 is the latest in a series of op-
tical disc players that use a specially-selected
ROM drive for reading. The ROM drive allows
multiple passes to be made, ensuring that
the correct data are recovered from the disc
and improving Compact Disc’s error-correc-
tion a hundredfold. It also allows complete
buffering of the recovered data.
Meridian Pro-MCD
“I suspect that [the Meridian Pro-MCD] will be the first
CD player to be regarded as a ‘classic’!”
—Hi-Fi News & Record Review, Feb 1986
Meridian also wanted to mark the 20th
“[The] MCD-Pro… has found itself used as a quality
reference by several CD manufacturers as well as equip-
ment and record reviewers.”
anniversary of the category ‘Audiophile CD
Player’ – a category we can legitimately claim
to have invented. Thus the 808 is offered as
an exquisite music-only player, embodying
the very best of our art and technology. For
the first time we are creating a ‘signature’
model – each one hand-signed by Meridian’s
founders, Robert Stuart and Allen Boothroyd.
—Which Compact Disc, Jan 1988
To ensure the lowest possible jitter, 808
incorporates three buffers, two of which are
used as FIFOs. By the time the data is passed
to the DACs or the digital output, the jitter
is incredibly low – in fact 808 has the lowest
jitter we have ever measured on a CD player:
around 90 picoseconds, with the jitter spec-
trum held below 0.1Hz.
Meridian 207
“The original Pro-MCD set the benchmark in its day, but
the 207-Pro was the radical step, placing Meridian for all
time in the CD player hall of fame.”
—Hi-Fi Choice, June 1990
Player or Player/Preamplifier
808 is available in two forms.
“There is nothing else on the market remotely like the
Meridian 207… It is…one of the finest-sounding CD
players on the market.”
Both versions offer analogue balanced and
unbalanced outputs which can be fixed in
level (to suit a preamplifier), or variable (for
direct connection to a power amplifier).
—Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 1988
The signal path includes proprietary error
correction and concealment, and Meridian’s
acclaimed ‘Resolution Enhancement’ DSP,
in which the original 44.1kHz, 16-bit audio
is upsampled to 176.4kHz, 24-bit in one of
three 150MIPs processors operating with
48-bit internal precision. This is ‘true’ DSP
upsampling, unlike anything else available in
the marketplace.
Meridian 602/606
“In Meridian we might be looking at a company that
has a real contribution to make towards raising CD
performance.”
Both versions also have two digital outputs:
Aux (which runs at 44.1kHz) and Main
(which can run at either 44.1kHz or, via
upsampling, at 88.2kHz, and can use MHR
to enhance performance when connected
—Audiophile, June 1991
“…the 602 [via the 606] was damn near impossible to
fault… Its resolution of the subtlest treble details was
intricate to the point of being exquisite… the 602/606
turned out to be a very ‘special’ combination.”
—Hi-Fi Choice, July 1991
Building a System
Meridian 508
The 808 is a single component, but it is designed to interface seamlessly with other Meridian
products, and with a wide range of third-party audio equipment, to build a system that is uniquely
your own.
“…the Meridian 508.24…the world’s best single-box
player and used as a reference machine by renowned
US publication Stereophile… brings out aspects of music
that most players can merely hint at…”
—Audio & Video Lifestyle, 1999
You can begin by considering which model of the 808 is most appropriate
for your needs: the 808 player or the 808i player/preamplifier.
“…the 508.24’s measured performance reveals that Bob
Stuart and his talented digital design team have done a
fabulous job.”
808 Player
—Stereophile, May 1998
• Digital and fixed or variable analogue outputs, ideal for connection
to an existing preamplifier or surround controller (eg 861).
• Drives a pair of Meridian DSP Loudspeakers directly (eg DSP8000
shown here) or a conventional amplifier and speakers
Meridian 800
“…a true reference-quality product…”
—The Absolute Sound, January 2004
• Can be used to create a simple, stereo CD replay system with the
highest quality CD playback available.
“…the 800 is perhaps the finest overall CD player I’ve
ever laid ears on. When you consider that there are
some CD-only players round that demand this outlay,
the price tag doesn’t seem all that eye-watering… Takes
audio to another level, if you can afford it. Without
doubt the finest optical disc playing system we’ve
encountered. ”
808i Player/Preamplifier
• Additional analogue and digital inputs to connect radio, tape,
turntable/phono preamp etc
• Digital and fixed/variable analogue outs: drives a pair of Meridian
DSP Loudspeakers directly, or conventional stereo amp/speakers.
• Powerful and versatile stereo replay system with the highest-
—HiFi World, December 2002
“…I found that the Meridian… was clearly superior…
not just to my reference components, but to any other
CD front ends that I’ve auditioned or reviewed.… The
performance of Meridian’s 800/861 with CDs is superior
to the performance you get with the great majority of
SACDs and DVD-As through any player.”
quality CD playback available anywhere, at any price.
A pair of Meridian’s
DSP8000s makes an ideal
companion for the 808.
Either way, the 808 delivers the same, superb performance.
—Absolute Sound, December 2003
808/808i Signature Reference Compact Disc Player
808i (Player/Preamplifier model) Rear Panel. The 808 Player model does not include the analogue and digital input panel areas.
This upsampling allows conversion-related
and that the high and low ranges should
never intrude – but should remain precise.
We believe that the tonality of our players is
best judged with the finest recordings of hu-
man voice, piano and violin. We audition our
new designs using recordings like these, and
if they sound ‘wrong’ in any way, the design
is not accepted.
filtering to take place far above the limits of
human hearing, so there are no artefacts
added to the sound – simply the pure music.
The 808 employs exquisite multibit over-
sampled delta-sigma D/A converters, com-
bined with a matching proprietary analogue
output stage of the highest quality.
Additional controls are fitted under a front
panel cover. Full remote control is also pro-
vided by the included MSR+ infra-red learn-
ing/programmable remote and via RS232.
Another important target for us is that the
player must reveal the ‘space’ in the original
recording. Meridian CD players, and 808 in
particular, are unique in their ability to allow
the listener to hear depth in the recording
and to interpret the side and back walls of
the recording location.
To ensure the finest sound, the 808’s
construction employs a motherboard and
multiple cards. Each card has its own power
supplies and buffering so that each section
– computer, decoder, FIFO buffers, DSP
upsampling, D/A conversion, digital output,
analogue input and digital input – is on a
separate and isolated card. As is traditional
with Meridian products, the construction
uses audiophile-grade capacitors throughout
and each component – even each resistor
– has been selected for its sonic contribu-
tion. The PCBs are all multilayer, many of
them using 6-layer technology for the lowest
noise and jitter and for optimum grounding.
The 808 features a solidly-constructed case
built of metal and glass, finished in black
lacquer or satin silver. The casework itself
is non-magnetic to maintain the sweetest
sound.
Most of all, the words we would use to
describe the sound of 808 are ‘exquisitely
musical’. Those who are lucky enough to
own this Signature Reference CD Player will
find immense enjoyment, and new depth
and subtlety in well-loved recordings, gaining
a lifetime of musical insight that is simply not
possible with lesser designs.
Our objective
Meridian CD players have been optimised for
the same, accurate sound to which we aspire
in all our products. The chief designer, Rob-
ert Stuart, has a definite view that the sound
should be totally natural in the midrange,
Comms:
Two 5-pin 240° DIN sockets for Meridian Comms, and
RS232 full remote/configuration interface. Three program-
mable 12v trigger outputs
Outline Specifications
THD & Noise:
Mechanism:
Converters:
Better than –96dBFS
Triple-beam laser, multi-speed CD/DVD-ROM transport
Construction:
Dimensions:
Controls:
Black lacquer or satin silver finish in metal & glass
192kHz-capable, 24-bit, Delta Sigma converters operating
at 4 x CD sample rate (176.4kHz)
480mm (18.9in) x 175mm (6.9in) x 411mm (16.2in) (whd)
Front-panel keys for Open/Close, Play, Stop, Pause, Previ-
ous, Next, On/Off. Additional controls behind hinged
front access cover include Repeat, Fast Forward/Reverse,
Display, Mute, Volume Up/Down, Store/Clear; Source.
Full remote control via MSR+, RS232
Stereo Outputs:
Analogue: 1 unbalanced on phono, 1 balanced on XLR-
3M: 2.3V rms fixed/variable, Class A, 47Ω impedance
Digital S/PDIF (IEC60958): main coax with MHR plus
auxiliary coax, operating at up to 2 x CD sample rate
(88.2kHz), 24-bit
Display:
20-character dot matrix display with adjustable brightness
and contrast. Indicators for Phase, Repeat and EQ (empha-
sis).
Stereo Inputs:
(808i only) Analogue: 6 unbalanced on phono.
Digital S/PDIF: 3 coax and 2 Toslink optical
Formats:
CD Audio (CD-DA), CD-R, CD-R/W, MP3
Power:
Universal power supply for 100–240Vac, 50/60Hz, 25W
Information contained in this data sheet is correct as far as possible, but Meridian Audio accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend
product specifications at any time. Third-party trademarks are recognized as the property of their respective owners. Further technical details, images, product reviews and
company history are available from Meridian Audio or from our web site, www.meridian-audio.com. ©Text & images 2004 Meridian Audio Ltd.
808DS v3.2 • 20.08.04 RE
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