Meridian Audio is releasing a special limited 40th Anniversary Edition sound system consisting of a special enhanced version of the 808 CD and Meridian Sooloos Player with an upgraded pair of DSP8000 loudspeakers. Only 40 numbered editions worldwide will be produced and each will come with an engraved plate showing its unique system number
To celebrate their Ruby Anniversary of working together Allen Boothroyd and Bob Stuart chose an exclusive “Ruby” finish — not available on other products in the range. This sleek color skin comes with coordinated glass inset panels, loudspeakers grilles and tweeter surround. Even the drivers are treated with a new, polished bezel. Each system will also come with a book, illustrating the rich history of Meridian’s exceptional Digital Signal Processing (DSP) loudspeakers, which is also signed by Bob and Allen.
Reflecting the high-level of customer service which Meridian prides itself on, owners of the Anniversary System will be offered the opportunity to receive a Meridian Engineer to fine tune the sound system in their homes following installation.
Meridian’s high-performing Digital Active Loudspeakers set completely new standards for clarity, dynamics, imaging and realism. DSP8000 can accurately reproduce both the power and subtlety of a concert grand piano and is designed to reproduce sounds at up to full natural level while providing all the resolution required by high-definition audio sources up to 24-bit. All Meridian products are constructed from the finest materials and all electronic parts are individually selected for sound quality.
The 40th Anniversary DSP8000 is constructed from the finest materials and all electronic parts are hand-selected for sound quality, while the loudspeaker system as a whole is individually fine-tuned by Bob Stuart. It includes a new, more sensitive tweeter with a new moulded surround, while special calibration allows the loudspeaker system to operate at even higher sound pressure levels than the standard model.
The 808 Signature Reference CD Player features a CD-ROM-based drive which allows for data recovery and error correction many times better than that employed in standard CD systems. A master clocking system and timing circuitry minimize jitter for improved sound source localization, clarity and imaging while unique Meridian DSP technologies add new accuracy and clarity to CD replay, even correcting faults in the original recording, helping to make CDs sound like high resolution recordings. Merdian claims this special version 808 has the lowest jitter they have ever measured on a CD player.
From the beginning, Bob and Allen have synthesized the design and technology of all Meridian products, resulting in an unusual yet welcome symbiosis of form and function, winning numerous prestigious design awards along the way. Allen says, “It is our job as product designers to create something people feel they can live with and take enjoyment in using, while instilling them with confidence that the product has longevity”.
Beyond creating extraordinary sound, Meridian has always set new standards for elegant, iconic design, as evidenced by one of Boothroyd and Stuart’s earliest creations — the classic 1970s Lecson Audio product line, which can be found as part of the permanent collection at the New York Museum of Modern Art. During their forty year partnership, Boothroyd and Stuart have won the coveted British Design Council award for Outstanding British Products three times — the only design pair to ever achieve this recognition.
See datasheet (pdf) for specifications.
Price and Availability
The Meridian Special Limited Edition 808 and DSP8000 40th Anniversary System in ruby red will be available from October 2011 for $100,000 (USD).
