Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Meridian G56 Amplifier (SS) by Belgarchi

Model:	G56
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$3000
Description:	Balanced 2x100W amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Meridian

Review by Belgarchi on April 09, 2010 at 07:25:12
IP Address: 216.80.143.3 Add Your Review
for the G56

This British 2 x 100W amplifier is beautiful, and seems to be very well made.
It is a true balanced design, RCA and XLR connectors, heavy weight for a 100W amp (13.5 kg), one toroidal transfo, 4 caps 6,800 miroFarads (not a lot, could be more), 8 power transistors. Only discrete components are used (no ICs). The gain is 23 or 29 db. Two pairs of loudspeakers can be driven.
All great, but I didn't like the sound. On the plus side, the bass are punchy and deep, the soundstage ok and the mids and highs are smooth, not aggressive at all. But the overall balance is too ripe, there is too much upper bass / low medium, and a lack of details.
Another bad point is the price, $4,500 (!), partially due to the weakness of the dollar these last 5 years.

I would recoomend this nice-looking power amp only if it can be bought at a low price, and to drive lively, 'up-front', detailed loudspeakers.

Product Weakness:	Too much upper bass / low medium, sound lacks details
Product Strengths:	Look, built quality, RCA and XLR connectors

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: See review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Arcam C31
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Classe CDP-10
Speakers: B&W, Dynaudio
Cables/Interconnects: Audioquest, Kimber
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Various
Room Size (LxWxH): 30 x 20 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments: Neutral
Time Period/Length of Audition: ~6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Cable
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	See review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Arcam C31
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Classe CDP-10
Speakers:	B&W, Dynaudio
Cables/Interconnects:	Audioquest, Kimber
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Room Size (LxWxH):	30 x 20 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments:	Neutral
Time Period/Length of Audition:	~6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Cable
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner