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Opinion of Meridian 557 Amp

Hi, has anyone heard the Meridian 557 Amp. I heard these 2 of these Amps bridged, on the Sonus Faber Extremas. This system with Meridian 557 Amps bridged, sounded so sweet and smooth and articulate. Now i'm not sure, if that was due to the Sonus Faber Extremas, or the Amps. The Amps bridged were 1000 watts. The Preamp being used was the Meridian 502. The Digital system was the Meridian 566 Dac, 518 Jitter reducer and the Meridian 500 Transport. But i must tell you, this system sounded unbelievable. I never heard anything this good. Alot of people know Meridian threw there digital equipment, Dacs, CD Players, Processors. But the 557 Amps and 502 Preamp in this system sounded amazing.
twilo
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
Oops. "Welly" is an English colloquialism that I forgot to screen out. I think it originates with Wellington boots - ie. large rubber mid-calf boots that farmers wear - we call them gumboots in NZ (and often use the same word to describe those that wear them) - I didn't mean that! Being kicked by a Wellington boot is something you feel rather profoundly and so "welly" is often used by us Antipodean audiophiles (all 6 of us) as a synonym for "grunt" or "power" or "punch".
perfectimage
406 posts
 
I have a pair of Extremas. Its the best sounding, smoothest speaker I have ever heard. They work well with lower wattage but love the power. I have worked my way up to dual Classe Ca 400's that I run bridged (roughly 1200 watts per channel). If I remember correctly its something to do with the crossover that makes them power hungry but Im not sure.
fleone's avatar
fleone
10 posts
 
I would like to know what type of cables everyone is using, as well as if you are useing the balanced inputs rather than the rca's? I think the amp is great at opening up my Thiel 2.3's . Seems to fill the entire room with great sound . 508.25 /502/557 all balanced tara cables. Does anyone think the 2.3's can handle this amp bridged 1000 watts!?
twilo OP
357 posts
 
Perfectimage, I agree with you Totally on the Sonus Faber Extremas. Let me ask you, Do you think the Extremas would sound good with a Rel Sub. I'v heard the Extremas can be hard to blend in with a Sub. Fleone, No, you only need one 557 Amp, to use on the Theil 2.3 speaker. I wouldn't bridge them. See the Sonus Faber Extremas need lots of power. This speaker is very deep. I heard it at the Stereophile show in the Meridian room. The System was the 557 Amps bridged, 502 preamp, 566 Dac, 518 Jitter reducer with the 500 transport. I swear, i'v never heard a system this good. It was so sweet and articulate sounding. Here's a great pic of the Sonus Faber Extremas. You see how deep they are. http://gallery.consumerreview.com/audio/gallery/files/sonus-extrema(1).asp
perfectimage
406 posts
 
A Rel is a must! I use a Rel Stentor 2 sub with mine. Its a perfect match. Very seemless and it gives the Extremas a good amount of punch in the lower end using the same quality of bass. I have been debatng picking up another Rel and running stereo subs.

I really like all the older Sonus Faber models. Elaectors, Elector Amatuers. They were all very warm sounding.
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