no difference between 4k meridian & 400 DVD?

I would agree that you should either use two copies, or two originals to make the comparison. That being said, I have been happily using an RCA DVD player-model 5223 (similar if not very close to the Panasonics in terms of internals) for the past year or so as my CD player. What did I have before? An Arcam Alpha 8SE. I was pretty shocked. The RCA was better stock, and got better still with an aftermarket powercord (Cardas Golden-interestingly being offered up in another thread here on a Musical Fidelity player) and benefited greatly from my line conditioner (Inouye SPLC-one for sale used on Audiogon right now-not mine!). I've also been careful to set it up properly and isolate it (using vibrapods), also tweaked it up a bit by attaching industrial floor tile to any area inside the case that I could fit it to without hampering ventilation or the ability to get it back together-also sandbagged right on top of the transport (exterior or the player). In any event, I think you can get amazing performance (perhaps not SOTA) out of many of these cheap DVD players by paying attention to the above. The cheaper players probably really benefit from filtering or line conditioning as a result of probably pretty weak power supplies in the players. My opinion is that blowing a wad on digital right now is totally crazy, and I don't have the wad anyway. I've listened to some very expensive players and none of them make me want to fork out the money.

Your method has no validity.You did not do a proper comparison.
One more thing Meridians are way way overpriced for what you get.Many units at 50% the cost of meridian are better units.

I agee with some of what was said above, I sometimes wonder the same thing about my system(which I believe you are familar with ;) Then I change something in the system-that I have been listening to for a long time-and then BAM a huge change from a subtle upgrade. I would say listen to lots of music through the meridian, for a few weeks at least, then listen to lots of music through the el-cheapo(bet you didn't know I spoke spanish)sony DVD player, if you can't hear a difference unload the meridan and enjoy the $$$ in your wallet, after all your ears are the only important judge when it comes to your system. Enjoy, and don't give up on this crazy endeavor that is audio, it is fun-despite the set backs.

tim

Way to go Natalie, or whatever your name is, offend just about everyone. Although I have no doubt that there are many cdps you might prefer to the Meridian 508.24, that doesn't make them better nor the meridian overpriced. I've heard them all except the very expensive Accuphase players and separates. Nothing I've heard betters the meridian in sounding like real life.

Of course the method of comparison was flawed. But, who knows, maybe S2k, and a lot of other people, can't tell the difference between an expensive and a cheap cd player. They should count their blessings and save their cash. Don't worry, be happy.

I would generally agree with Natalie. However, even if the copy of that CD was inferior to the original the man shoul've heard the difference. Also, I, for example, use a very good Nakamichi deck for the comparison to begin with: except for a very slight noise I cannot distinguish the sound of the cassette and the weaker CD player. When I hear the difference than that player is already quite good. I also support the idea that Meridian is overpriced. In addition, even cheap DVD and CD players sound very different which is also obvious when making the recording on the metal tape. By the way, it is my experience that analog sourses are not that demanding when it comes to interconnect cables.