My thoughts on the Meridian 808.3

**jtein** · 05-03-2012, 04:04 AM

Ok, imaging. With my Esoteric X-03 SE, I found that vocals sort of tilted to a bit to my left. That was corrected when my dealer lent me an Esoteric G03-X word clock. Images were stabilised and vocals were airier. So it's true, jitter (which is measured in picoseconds) is audible. With my Meridian 808.3, I had the same results - stable imaging and vocals had more air to it - without the need of a clock. I find that the 808.3 is superior to the X-03 SE + clock combo in terms of sheer transparency and retrieval of very low-level detail buried deep in the recording. Delicious!

**jtein** · 05-03-2012, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by mullard88

Please keep posting. There is real joy in your prose and it brings me cheers just reading your posts. I also enjoy reading how it is making you feel. To me, the feeling is as important as the sonic observations. Congratulations! You are one lucky person for finding what you have been searching for since you started in this hobby years ago. Your Meridian is heaven sent. Enjoy it as I enjoy reading your blog.

Wowsers! Thanks mullard88....I'm humbled. Although not a newbie, I'm not the typical audiophile that knows a lot of stuff. So it's heartwarming to know that my posts are bringing cheers to you.

**joeinid** · 05-03-2012, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by jtein

Wowsers! Thanks mullard88....I'm humbled. Although not a newbie, I'm not the typical audiophile that knows a lot of stuff. So it's heartwarming to know that my posts are bringing cheers to you.

jtein,

I am equally interested and happy you are loving the 808.3. Thank you for all the updates and look forward to more and more.

**NorthStar** · 05-03-2012, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by jtein

Wowsers! Thanks mullard88....I'm humbled. Although not a newbie, I'm not the typical audiophile that knows a lot of stuff. So it's heartwarming to know that my posts are bringing cheers to you.

"Knowing is one thing, Listening is another." - Bob

...Then Sharing your Findings is Audiophilia.

**lloydelee21** · 05-04-2012, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by jtein

Ok, imaging. With my Esoteric X-03 SE, I found that vocals sort of tilted to a bit to my left. That was corrected when my dealer lent me an Esoteric G03-X word clock. Images were stabilised and vocals were airier. So it's true, jitter (which is measured in picoseconds) is audible. With my Meridian 808.3, I had the same results - stable imaging and vocals had more air to it - without the need of a clock. I find that the 808.3 is superior to the X-03 SE + clock combo in terms of sheer transparency and retrieval of very low-level detail buried deep in the recording. Delicious!

Hi JTein, Fantastic! I will say, my observation of the latest digital has not always been 'net net' favorable relative to my old Zanden. But where i HAVE acknowledged big improvements has been in separation of instrumentation, detailing...the ability to hold an entire orchestra separated and delineated rather than slightly blurred. The DCS Scarlatti does this, and so does the Stahl-Tek Vekian. That is what it seems the 808.3 is also adept at doing. That really makes a big difference on orchestral...and on 'hearing new details' you never heard before on recordings. That is truly enjoyable to have in the latest digital.

**jtein** · 05-04-2012, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by lloydelee21

Hi JTein, Fantastic! I will say, my observation of the latest digital has not always been 'net net' favorable relative to my old Zanden. But where i HAVE acknowledged big improvements has been in separation of instrumentation, detailing...the ability to hold an entire orchestra separated and delineated rather than slightly blurred. The DCS Scarlatti does this, and so does the Stahl-Tek Vekian. That is what it seems the 808.3 is also adept at doing. That really makes a big difference on orchestral...and on 'hearing new details' you never heard before on recordings. That is truly enjoyable to have in the latest digital.

Yes Lloyd, it's really enjoyable. And I think it's value for money compared to the dCS Scarlatti since it's three times the cost of my 808.3. I also find that now with the 808.3 in place, it has significantly diminished the urge/need/desire to upgrade. The Burmester can wait

I'm now embarking on building from scratch a dedicated listening room with full acoustic treatment. My contractor and acoustic guy just been to my home to do the measurements. I can tell you that with proper acoustic treatment, your gear will perform at a level it has no right to perform.

**lloydelee21** · 05-05-2012, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by jtein

Yes Lloyd, it's really enjoyable. And I think it's value for money compared to the dCS Scarlatti since it's three times the cost of my 808.3. I also find that now with the 808.3 in place, it has significantly diminished the urge/need/desire to upgrade. The Burmester can wait

I'm now embarking on building from scratch a dedicated listening room with full acoustic treatment. My contractor and acoustic guy just been to my home to do the measurements. I can tell you that with proper acoustic treatment, your gear will perform at a level it has no right to perform.

Agree...that is a big part of any system, though often the most challenging one to get right. It is far more disruptive to pull apart the walls, flooring and ceilings...than to buy a new cable. As for DCS Scarlatti, i think it is a sensational technical accomplishment...but if i had to choose, i think i would: a) choose Meridian to play my music collection, or b) really have to ensure the rest of my system was setup to get that extra bit of lyrical 'magic' out of the DCS.

Enjoy!

**lloydelee21** · 05-05-2012, 02:44 AM

Hey JTein, did your dealer ever indicate to you the difference between the 808.2 and your 808.3 in terms of sound? Just curious as i have never heard yours...only the 808.2. Thanks for any guidance!

**jtein** · 05-05-2012, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by lloydelee21

Hey JTein, did your dealer ever indicate to you the difference between the 808.2 and your 808.3 in terms of sound? Just curious as i have never heard yours...only the 808.2. Thanks for any guidance!

That's a good question Lloyd which I'm unable to answer, the reason being that my dealer has heard the 808.2 but he's never heard the 808.3 before! LOL! In fact, my dealer told me mine's the first unit in Malaysia!

But from the specs, Meridian has changed the transport to a TEAC one so that ought to be a plus since TEAC is the parent company of Esoteric which has arguably one of the best transports. Although the software is still the same as found in the 808.2, they have totally reworked the clocking so as to reduce even more jitter. So that ought to account for something.

**lloydelee21** · 05-05-2012, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by jtein

That's a good question Lloyd which I'm unable to answer, the reason being that my dealer has heard the 808.2 but he's never heard the 808.3 before! LOL! In fact, my dealer told me mine's the first unit in Malaysia!

But from the specs, Meridian has changed the transport to a TEAC one so that ought to be a plus since TEAC is the parent company of Esoteric which has arguably one of the best transports. Although the software is still the same as found in the 808.2, they have totally reworked the clocking so as to reduce even more jitter. So that ought to account for something.

FUnny...i thought Meridian 808.2 alwso used Esoteric. Perhaps not. In any event, reducing jitter and lowering noise floor i bet. Both of which result in dramatic improvements in microdynamics, decay and detail...which it seems have been big parts of your observations.