Bumester 089 vs Meridian 808V3 vs EMM XDS1??

[SRT-10 Viper]

Anyone compare the above 3 CD players? I am thinking of buying either a used 089 or new 808V3 or new XDS1 and was wondering how they compare. I currently have the EMM Labs DAC2/TSD1.

[Talk2me]

Why not a Weiss DAC and transport, Mac or music server?

[Tonepub]

The EMM is a pretty good player. Taking into account the quality of your system, I think you are looking at more of a "different" rather than a better here.

That's not to say you won't enjoy one of these more than what you have now.

I'd figure out a way to get a demo in your system... to do a side by side comparison.

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by tonepub

The EMM is a pretty good player. Taking into account the quality of your system, I think you are looking at more of a "different" rather than a better here.

That's not to say you won't enjoy one of these more than what you have now.

I'd figure out a way to get a demo in your system... to do a side by side comparison.

I agree. Side by Side is best. I still believe the Meridian 808.3 strikes the best balance between resolution, involvement, soundstage etc. but is is obviously system dependent and ear dependent.

howie

[SRT-10 Viper]

I'll have a chance next week to try the 808.3 vs my current EMM Labs DAC2/TSD1.

[Talk2me]

The guy who bought my 089, traded it in 1 week later and bought a EMM XDS1. He says the bass is much better. That is hard for me to understand,as the bass is awesome in the 089. But in all honesty, it was not as good as what I have read on the internet rags. They tend to write in favor towards who pays their bills.

[SRT-10 Viper]

I'm listening to the Meridian 808.3 and hope as this breaks in, it begins to sound better. It sounds a little lean right now. The dealer tells me to run a CD for 2 weeks to speed up the process.

[Rocco]

I know well the sound of Meridian and Emm labs. Surely the Burmester 089's sound better (more neutral, natural, resolution and amazing & powerful soundstage) and in my honest opinion is one of the best single box cd player.

[Tonepub]

Originally Posted by Talk2me

The guy who bought my 089, traded it in 1 week later and bought a EMM XDS1. He says the bass is much better. That is hard for me to understand,as the bass is awesome in the 089. But in all honesty, it was not as good as what I have read on the internet rags. They tend to write in favor towards who pays their bills.

What is really hysterical here is that both Meridian and Burmester are advertisers of ours and I've gotten to know Dieter Burmester and Bob Stuart as well as the dCS guys quite well over the years. While it's a somewhat friendly competition, when pulled on the side they all have tremendous respect for what the others are doing. That's always the sign of greatness in my opinion.

Bob Stuart asked me what I was playing my Sooloos through at CES this year and when I told him it was a dCS Paganini, he replied "Well, that's not rubbish, is it?"

That's why I own my reference components. If I hear something that surpasses my dCS, I can freely print it and not worry about someone wanting their long term loan back because I wasn't kissing up enough.

Makes it quite a bit easier in the end...

[jhildred]

Originally Posted by tonepub

What is really hysterical here is that both Meridian and Burmester are advertisers of ours and I've gotten to know Dieter Burmester and Bob Stuart as well as the dCS guys quite well over the years. While it's a somewhat friendly competition, when pulled on the side they all have tremendous respect for what the others are doing. That's always the sign of greatness in my opinion.

With my limited experience of high-end audio and the folks behind the products, it definitely seems most players recognize the integrity and skills of each other even if the don't agree on what constitutes 'the perfect sound'. Hearing Burmester, Chord and Meridian side by side I defy anyone to say any of them sound bad . . it's really a case of which 'hits the spot' best for you.