2. digital
  3. 1215871494

Meridian 508.24...sound compared to newer players

I've owned the 508.24 for about ten years now...having upgraded from a 508.20 to .24. I know for many years this CD player was highly regarded and my long term relationship with it is a testimony to how well I think it sounds. However, I know many advancements have been made over time but I have not really kept up with or listened to many newer high end players. While not on it's last legs, I realize that a 10 year old CD player will not be lasting forever (I already replaced the laser). So I may be looking soon at a replacement. To those of you who have owned the 508.24 or are aquainted with it's sound, I would like to know your impressions of it compared to the newer high end players in the $2000-$3500 price range. One player I am specifically interested in is the Bryston BCD-1. Anyone compared these two? Any recommendations or comments would be welcomed.

Thanks
randyhat
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I have listened to the 508 24 at home and now own a Muse model 9 genIII which is very similar performance (that is to say extremely enjoyable to listen to) and I have wondered the same thing. Bottom line, I am darn happy with the Muse and bet you are with the Meridian - let's spend our pennies on music! BTW sorry but my Muse is 8 yrs old so no help here!
reubent
7,035 posts
 
I've owned the Meridian 508.24 and thought it was a very good player. I've also owned many other CD players in the $1500-$3500 retail price and none were significantly better. I would recommend keeping the 508.24 until it dies unless you want to spend a lot more money or convert to a digital music server setup. If your Meridian dies or you just decide you must buy a different player, the Resolution Audio Opus 21 is a very good player for under $2500 used.

Enjoy,

TIC
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
BTW FWIW I did compare my Muse to a Electrocompaniet ECM 1UP (or whatever their newest and best was a few years back) and they were similar in performance with the Electro being a little smoother and that was the biggest difference, at around $4000 I think.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I've owned my 508.24 since late 1997 and, except for replacing the laser once in 2001 it has worked perfectly since. Recently A/B'd against my friend's Parasound D3 it was not as bright in the highs D3 but did extend into the bass a bit further. This is still a fine CD player and I am firmly keeping mine until it works no longer. My other aging CD player is a conrad johnson DV2B that is simply a fantastic player with a wide soundstage and it provides a natural sound to the timbre of instruments. Piano is among the best I've heard with this player. Also a keeper.

I would hold onto to that 508.24; it is a valuable classic.
roberts1897
14 posts
 
I have a 508.24 which sounds very nice with my ARC/Audio Physic system. I recently compared it to the newly released Cary CD 306 Pro and to a Meridian G08. The Cary was clearly superior, mainly more detail, but at a significant price difference. Not so the G08 - the 508.24 had better transparency and was more dynamic whilst the G08 was smoother and maybe a touch more open. I would happily change the 508.24 for the Cary, but the difference between the two Meridians was slight, so I wouldn't bother trading up to a G08.
More to discover