Digital Drive: REVIEW: Meridian 507 CD Player/Recorder by Aleph

Model:	507
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$1700
Description:	Latest compo CD player by Meridian
Manufacturer URL:	Meridian
Manufacturer URL:	Meridian

Review by Aleph ( A ) on November 09, 2003 at 20:17:47
IP Address: 202.190.48.49

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for the 507

I was strolling past a hi-fi store when my dearest spotted the 507 on display with 30% knocked off its price. Someone had traded it in for a GamuT and it was only 3 weeks old! I had read positive reviews about it and after a short dem, I grabbed the bargain.
Back home, the Meridian went head to head against my cherished Marantz 63 KI Sigs, which costs half the price of a 507(new). Unsurprisingly, the 507's were far more surperior - it had bags more detail, the soundstage was extended and I immediately noticed that timing had become spot - on! The best part was that the Meridian's had the depth I was looking for in my system (something the 63's seriously lacked). I could now hear layers of music from my CDs and the music took on a 3-D feel. After about a month of running in (which seriously improved the sound, took away the excess brightness and added more body), I swapped the stock powercord for another from wireworld - slight improvements but still audible. Best results came with the JPS Labs Digital ac - the background was DARK which really made everything sound more alive.
As always, this player is not perfect. I find that the lower frequencies are a little too lean for my taste - the bass is there, its tight and and punchy but lacks the depth and definition of other players I've heard of the same league like Cyrus 8, Classe and Nad S500. Also, I've been used to the exceptional bass from my old Marantz. With the 507's the bass is rolled off a little earlier and lacks richness. Then there's the slow response from the controls - something to do with its jitter - buster thingymajig. Plus (quite important, I think) this baby is not as forgiving with inferior recordings! If your CD is a poorly printed copy (as a lot of locally printed discs are in Malaysia) you will NOT want to hear them through the 507's.
Still, in my opinion, this is a truly great player which doesn't leave you feeling shortchanged. I'm well pleased with it in my set - up. I don't think it'll grab you on the first listen, but spend a little more quality time with the 507 and it'll charm the pants of you!
p.s. - Thanks to the missus for her quick eye!

Product Weakness: Can sometimes sound a little thin, does not have the bass for Paul Oakenfold buffs, poor quality recordings will sound like s**t and it takes its time to play your tune!....and that remote, damn!
Product Strengths: Gobs of detail, quartz-watch timing, subtlety, dynamics - making a truly musical player!...and check out the remote !!!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Chimera X - 80 (Class A,80 watts)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Meridian 507, Marantz63 KI Sig.,
Speakers:	Monitor Audio 14 gold mk2
Cables/Interconnects:	Chord Co. Chorus, Tara Labs, Wireworld, JPS, QED Genesis
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jennifer Warnes, Stacey Kent, Kraftwerk, Sting, Coldplay, Paul Oakenfold, Fourplay
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Can sometimes sound a little thin, does not have the bass for Paul Oakenfold buffs, poor quality recordings will sound like s**t and it takes its time to play your tune!....and that remote, damn!
Product Strengths:	Gobs of detail, quartz-watch timing, subtlety, dynamics - making a truly musical player!...and check out the remote !!!