Meridian XLR into Naim Din worth it?
Posted by: Simon-C on 23 October 2003
I have just bought a meridian 588 CDP to go with my 82/180. I actually preferred the sound compared to a CDX, and got it for nearly 1/2 the price of a CDX2.
Question is are there significant gains to be had from using the balanced outputs. If so anyone know of a cable company that makes a suitable interconnect, or will make one.
Cheers
Simon
Question is are there significant gains to be had from using the balanced outputs. If so anyone know of a cable company that makes a suitable interconnect, or will make one.
Cheers
Simon
Posted on: 23 October 2003 by David C
Simon,
Using a dedicated lead from the XLR output may be worth doing. Within the XLr pin 1 is normally hot, this is the pin that you are interested in. You need to solder this pin to the signal core of the cable and then terminate as an din for your naim.
Whether this is worth the effort depends on the internal construction and circuit design of the meridian, is the balanced output an afterthought or part of the core design?
The other difference is that balanced output normally have different electrial properties to the single ended outputs, so you may get a 'louder' or quieter signal by doing this.
I have a balanced pre amp and have compared the single ended and balanced outputs of the linn ikemi. The balanced outputs are quieter and more dynamic, the single ended outputs have a little bit more swing.
It may be worth experimenting, but you probably won't gain a lot by playing.
David
Using a dedicated lead from the XLR output may be worth doing. Within the XLr pin 1 is normally hot, this is the pin that you are interested in. You need to solder this pin to the signal core of the cable and then terminate as an din for your naim.
Whether this is worth the effort depends on the internal construction and circuit design of the meridian, is the balanced output an afterthought or part of the core design?
The other difference is that balanced output normally have different electrial properties to the single ended outputs, so you may get a 'louder' or quieter signal by doing this.
I have a balanced pre amp and have compared the single ended and balanced outputs of the linn ikemi. The balanced outputs are quieter and more dynamic, the single ended outputs have a little bit more swing.
It may be worth experimenting, but you probably won't gain a lot by playing.
David
Posted on: 23 October 2003 by Simon-C
thanks for your input guys
Simon
Simon
Posted on: 23 October 2003 by Laurie Saunders
Out of interest, I use an ancient (tweaked) Meridian 200/203. (52/scap/135s) I prefer it to all the Naim players I have heard (including the cds2)....it is not technically perfect by any means, but it has strengths that are important to me, and its weaknesses are less so (personal taste, room effects...etc)
I tried a 588 on extended home dem.....I thoughtthe 508/24 was too polite. Whilst the 588 was slightly more "controlled" than my 200/203, it sounded far too dry, and also lacked any involvement. I was left rather disappointed,...."is this is supposed to be progress?" Even if it had been better by just a small margin, I would have succumbed.....there were some (technical) gains, but musically, it fell flat.Other, seasoned, unbiased listeners agreed with my findings
Also, the remote(controller) is an ergonomic disaster compared to the simple "stick" remote of my own player. Who wants an imitation space-shuttle control panel on their coffee table?
Maybe I`m missing something
(the 588 loaned to me was a demonstrator model, fully burned in, which had over a week`s continuous playing in my system)
Laurie S
I tried a 588 on extended home dem.....I thoughtthe 508/24 was too polite. Whilst the 588 was slightly more "controlled" than my 200/203, it sounded far too dry, and also lacked any involvement. I was left rather disappointed,...."is this is supposed to be progress?" Even if it had been better by just a small margin, I would have succumbed.....there were some (technical) gains, but musically, it fell flat.Other, seasoned, unbiased listeners agreed with my findings
Also, the remote(controller) is an ergonomic disaster compared to the simple "stick" remote of my own player. Who wants an imitation space-shuttle control panel on their coffee table?
Maybe I`m missing something
(the 588 loaned to me was a demonstrator model, fully burned in, which had over a week`s continuous playing in my system)
Laurie S
Posted on: 25 October 2003 by Laurie Saunders
paolo...it depends on the criteria you use to judge it by....in terms of bass, and "dynamics" the naim probably wins.
By my own criteria, the "olive" Naim CDPs do not find favour....i have not heard the CDS3, nor he CDX2 (yet)
The other issue with Naim players is the expected lifespan and replacement cost of the laser mech. readers can check this out with Naim......if my info is correct, then there may be cause for concern here
Laurie S
[This message was edited by Laurie Saunders on SATURDAY 25 October 2003 at 16:33.]
By my own criteria, the "olive" Naim CDPs do not find favour....i have not heard the CDS3, nor he CDX2 (yet)
The other issue with Naim players is the expected lifespan and replacement cost of the laser mech. readers can check this out with Naim......if my info is correct, then there may be cause for concern here
Laurie S
[This message was edited by Laurie Saunders on SATURDAY 25 October 2003 at 16:33.]