Yes, I recall the 508 was around $3,500 when I purchased it around 1996 or 1997. It was actually a 508.20. I was having some problems with the transport and had to send it back for a warranty repair, and they changed the DAC to the 24-bit version while it was there (for a small fee). The unit is still going strong nearly 25 years later although, admittedly, I now mostly stream from the NAS drive, Tidal and Qobuz.
Meridian Direct DAC - Opinions
I'm currently using a Meridian Direct DAC while streaming via a Bluesound Node 2i. I picked up the DAC a few years ago for half-price when it was discontinued. I like how it sounds; in fact, I think that CDs streamed via FLAC files from my NAS drive sound better than CDs played on my (older) Meridian 508.24 CD player. I also prefer it to the internal DAC on the Node 2i.
My question is about how much DACs may have improved in recent years. The Direct DAC is probably 10 year old technology. I believe it sold for US$ 700 when new. Would current DACs in that price range (say, something like the Schitt Bifrost 2 or the Denafrips Ares II, for example) offer any meaningful improvement?
For reference, the rest of the system is decent stuff, but mostly twenty years old. Classe CP-45 preamp, CA-150 amp, Platinum Audio Solo speakers, Nordost Red Dawn interconnects, Transparent speaker cable. System is capable of very good detail and soundstage and I'm very happy with it (which is why I have not changed much in 20 years, but for the digital front end). Just curious if updating the DAC is worth looking into.
My question is about how much DACs may have improved in recent years. The Direct DAC is probably 10 year old technology. I believe it sold for US$ 700 when new. Would current DACs in that price range (say, something like the Schitt Bifrost 2 or the Denafrips Ares II, for example) offer any meaningful improvement?
For reference, the rest of the system is decent stuff, but mostly twenty years old. Classe CP-45 preamp, CA-150 amp, Platinum Audio Solo speakers, Nordost Red Dawn interconnects, Transparent speaker cable. System is capable of very good detail and soundstage and I'm very happy with it (which is why I have not changed much in 20 years, but for the digital front end). Just curious if updating the DAC is worth looking into.
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- 4 posts total
- 4 posts total