[JonnyBingham]

The title says it all really. What are your thoughts about this CDP, in the context of use with a Naim Nait 5i and Ruark Sabre III?
Thanks

[gizlaroc]

It is a really nice CD player mate.

It has a really good bass, nice and weighty but fast and authoritative, it plays deep notes better than many other players. The mid range is bordering on warm but then the top end has real air and sparkle without ever sounding harsh, brittle or dry, so it always sounds like a really big soundstage and very 3 dimensional.

I used the 500 transport and seperate dac, also 24bit, and it really is a stunning combo and I am looking for another Meridian DAC at the moment. Going to go down the media server dac route now for my music and see how I get on.
I tried using a Pixel Magic HD Media Box going into a Levinson DAC with some stunning results, and like a twot turned down the Levinson DAC at a grand, it was £6500 new and sounded sublime.

[JonnyBingham]

Do you think the Meridian is a step up from the matching Naim cd5i or Rega Apollo, which are other players I'm considering, or does the Meridian just emphasise different features of the sound rather than do them better?

Obvivously the original RRP of the Meridian is much much higher than the current price of the Apollo, but the Apollo is a much newer player and is said to be excellent for it's price both s/h and new, and the Meridian is quite a dated design now. I can basically get the Meridian for about the same price as a new Apollo, so thought whether it'll give me a bit more bang for my buck.

Also, has anyone heard the Unison Research Unico CD? considering that it sells for £1450 new from DivineAudio, it's at the top price wise of anything I'm considering, but I could get this s/h from UKD (Unison's UK distributor) for £825 if I pick up. The review from Hifi Choice on Techradar's website kind of ignited my interest. Also I wasn't sure if a sligtly warmer source might suit the Sabres, whilst not coming at the expense of the associated leanness in the bass you sometimes get with Arcam cd players.
Should I consider an Arcam Cd player with the Naim nait 5i? - I've heard the FMJ CD36 with the Nait 5i and liked the sound quite a lot, but seemed to not have quite the same 'rightness of sound' which I experienced when listening to the Naim nait 5i and cd5i combo, so they're not on my radar as much as the other's I've mentioned!

Admittedly, my interest in the Meridian 507 and Rega is a lot to do with me thinking that they could be cracking and save me quite a lot too.
I know that I like the Naim combo though and in the Cd5i's favour, it is designed to have synergy with the Nait.
Do you think that any dedicated CDP from the big names will offer a night and day difference with the Nait 5i and Sbres, to the Bose I'm using at the moment, or do you think the differences will be more subtle? Hopefully I'll have a chance to some a/b tests soon!
Thanks, Jonny

[gizlaroc]

I'm not a Naim fan, find it too fatiguing in the mid range, I know loads of people love it but I can't get on with it myself.


Not heard the Rega but heard good things about it.



I had the Unico before I went with the Merdian and DAC, it is a nice player, not actually as smooth as you would expect, but then nor is the amp. Don't get me wrong they are not bright or forward, and if you like your Naim you may disagree and think it is really smooth, but it is just a really nice player. I would have kept it but it was interfering with my pre amp, everytime I skipped a track it would switch inputs or turn the pre off!

The Meridian is on another level though imho.


The other option is look for a nice modded player, loads come up on ebay that are Trichord modded and they all offer superb value, or get a nice 24 bit DAC?

[JonnyBingham]

So given the choice between the Meridian and the Unico CD you'd take the Meridian?
don't worry - I'm not basing my buying decision purely based on your preference, but if that's the case I will definitely make an effort to listen to a s/h one before getting anything else!
Thanks!

[gizlaroc]

Unico CD is good, but the Meridian is another level, you really should check it out.

[JonnyBingham]

Sorry for pestering, but what aspects of the sound do you prefer to the Unico CD, or do you just prefer everything?
I suppose it's a bit more neutral than the Unico Cd - is that right? I've heard it's an excellent cd player and there's a thread on these forums of someone who compared it to the Arcam FMJ CD33, which is regarded as one of Arcam's best players, and he thought the Meridian was beter in every way.

Considering that you think the Meridian 507 is in another league to the Unico CD, would you say the same when comparing to something like the Rega Apollo? I'm going to listen to the Meridian, Naim and Rega on Monday hopefully but can't listen to the Unico unless I go to UKD's Hq near Slough off the M25 which is a bit of a journey (not that far though) from where I am in Guildford.

[gizlaroc]

The Unico was good, but the Meridian 24 bit dac is something else. A much deeper soundstage, more air and just a better player.

I see you are using the Naim amp, do you like the Naim sound??
If you like the Naim sound then you will probably hate the Meridian and the Unico CD!!
They are about as far away from the Naim sound as you can get.

I have not heard the Rega so haven't got a clue what it sounds like. sorry.



If you really want a decent CD player though and are prepared to spend £600+ then I would definitely consider buying a cheaper one and getting it modded, £500 worth of mods will take you into the same sort of territory as £3k's worth or transport and DAC.