How do these Meridians compare to each other?

I had a 506.24 & currently use a 508.20. The 508 models have balanced outs if that's a consideration and I picked the 508.20 over the .24 because of the transport. It uses the 12.4 as opposed to the 12.5 and is a bit smoother both mechanically & sonically. I also had mine upgraded with Blackgates & Schottky's, so a comparison with a 508.24 would be skewed.

The 508.20 is a smoother sounding unit than the 506.24, although the 506.24 is a nice CDP. I picked the 508.20 to modify over the 506.24 because of the balanced outs & the transport, although if there ever was a problem with the .20, Meridian would replace it with a .24. This I know as I called them to check on a serial # & they volunteered the info.

Another consideration is that I can leave the 508.20 hooked to the system via the balanced connections & also run my headphone amp off the RCA's of the Meridian.

A review of the 508.20 http://www.vxm.com/21R.96.html

Both of the 508s are special players, but I also preferred the .20 over the .24. IMO, it was smoother sounding than the .24.

Both 508's are excellent player. I've compared 507 with 508.20 and 507 is too forward. Also the new ROM drive transport was driving me crazy. If you leave the pwr on and no disc, every once in a while it will search for disc and make this noise and you can here it across the room.

I've also compared 507 with Sim Nova, liked the Nova much better.

I have owned the 506.24 and directly compared it with the 508.24. There was no contest the 508 was far superior hands down, but also 2x the price. I would personally recomend the Audio Aero Prima CD player I think it sounds better than any of the Meridians and is less expensive too.

Thank you all for your responses. These were exactly the kind of answers that I was hoping for, very informative. It seems that the 507 is low man on the totem pole, which is what I suspected. However, I am going to put the Meridians on the back burner for awhile, and research a few other models. Thank you, EJLIF for your tip on the Prima, I am now leaning toward a player with a volume control "and" a digital in connection. So far I have found two, resolution audio and the cary machines. Does the Prima have an analog volume control, or digital?