Are you referring to TOSLink, S/PDIF (Coaxial) or AES/EBU?
I've auditioned Meridian gear before; their gear excels at digital, I am not surprised you found their native inputs and outputs were superior to your ears.
Reasonable cost digital cables I've used with great results;
TOSLink: Audiquest Optilink-5
S/PDIF: Audioquest EagleEye (still have 2 of these)
AES/EBU: Audioquest Raven
All can be found on Agon under $500.
From what I've heard the mid-level Tara digital cables are
also amazing. I auditioned a 0.8 digital and was impressed
but wound up going with a pair of Tara 0.5 AES/EBU cables
between my transport and DAC with amazing results. That
stated, the 0.5 retails for considerably higher than $500.
If you start with the list above and solicit other opinions,
you'll be at a very good starting point.
I've auditioned Meridian gear before; their gear excels at digital, I am not surprised you found their native inputs and outputs were superior to your ears.
Reasonable cost digital cables I've used with great results;
TOSLink: Audiquest Optilink-5
S/PDIF: Audioquest EagleEye (still have 2 of these)
AES/EBU: Audioquest Raven
All can be found on Agon under $500.
From what I've heard the mid-level Tara digital cables are
also amazing. I auditioned a 0.8 digital and was impressed
but wound up going with a pair of Tara 0.5 AES/EBU cables
between my transport and DAC with amazing results. That
stated, the 0.5 retails for considerably higher than $500.
If you start with the list above and solicit other opinions,
you'll be at a very good starting point.