PREFACE Important safety instructions • Read the instructions. To avoid interference • Keep these instructions. Do not position the unit: • Follow all instructions. • Do not use this apparatus near • Near strong electrical or water. magnetic radiation, such as near •...
Contents Introduction The 808 Signature Reference CD Player Specifi cation Using the 808 Signature Reference CD Player Front panel keys MSR+ keys Switching on and off Playing a disc Stopping and pausing play Repeat Scanning a disc Programming a selection Changing the absolute phase Changing the front-panel display Using the CD player...
Introduction Welcome to the Meridian 808 Signature Reference CD Player! This User Guide provides full information about using the CD player in conjunction with your other equipment, to achieve the superb results you can expect from it. Drive A Repeat Drive B Signature Reference CD Player 808...
INTRODUCTION The 808 Signature Reference CD Player The 808 Signature Reference CD Player takes Compact Disc playback to an entirely new level, with a heritage that includes the multiple award winning 508 and 800, and two dozen optical disc players from 1984 to the present day.
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INTRODUCTION System integration The 808 Signature Reference CD Player provides balanced and unbalanced analogue outputs for connecting to an external power amplifi er or preamplifi er. Alternatively, it provides coax digital outputs, allowing it to drive Meridian DSP Loudspeakers directly. The digital outputs support MHR (Meridian High Resolution) and operate at up to 2 x CD sample rate (88.2kHz), 24-bit.
INTRODUCTION Specification Drive • Internal CD/DVD-ROM drive. Audio in and out The 808 is supplied as standard with: • 2-channel balanced audio output. • 2-channel unbalanced audio output. • 2-channel digital coax output with optional MHR encryption at high rate. The 808i version also includes: •...
Using the 808 Signature Reference CD Player This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the 808 Signature Reference CD Player to identify the controls which you use to operate the unit. It also provides step-by-step instructions for operating the CD player, using either the front panel or the MSR+.
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Switching on and off CD PLAYER When not playing, the CD player should be left in the standby state. This uses a minimal amount of electricity, but ensures that the components of the CD player operate at maximum effi ciency from the moment you start. If you are not going to use the CD player for several days you should switch the unit off completely at the rear panel, and disconnect it from the AC power supply.
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Playing a disc CD PLAYER The compact disc player allows you to play an entire disc, or start playing from any track. While a disc is playing you can go back to the start of the track or skip to the start of the next track.
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Stopping and pausing play CD PLAYER You can pause a disc while keeping it spinning, so that you can resume play instantly. To stop playback • Press *. The display will show the total number of tracks on the disc and the total time.
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Repeat CD PLAYER You can choose to play a track, disc, or selection repeatedly, so that when it has played it will start again from the beginning; with MP3 discs you can also repeat the current album. To continuously repeat a disc •...
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Scanning a disc CD PLAYER The scan controls allow you to move quickly to any position on the disc at approximately 20 times normal speed. During scanning you hear samples of the sound, and the display automatically changes to show the elapsed time for the whole disc unless you have already selected one of the other time displays.
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Programming a selection CD PLAYER You can programme a selection of tracks and then play only the tracks you have programmed. You can programme a selection either by storing the tracks you want to play, or by clearing the tracks you do not want to play.
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USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE You should clear the fi rst track for a selection within two seconds, or it will CD PLAYER begin to play. To add or remove a track from a selection • Select the track using [ or ]. Alternatively you can enter the track number using the remote.
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Changing the absolute phase CD PLAYER You can use the remote to invert the absolute phase of the analogue output signal, which in some circumstances can give a noticeable improvement in realism. To display the phase setting •...
USING THE 808 PREFACE SIGNATURE REFERENCE Changing the front-panel display CD PLAYER The 808 Signature Reference CD Player displays information about the current disc and settings on the 20-character front-panel display. You can adjust the contrast and brightness of the front-panel display for optimum viewing, and choose what information is displayed.
Using the CD player preamplifier features The 808i version of the 808 Signature Reference CD Player includes a preamplifi er, and can act as the controller for up to 11 other sources. Both models feature an optional volume control for the analogue inputs.
USING THE CD PLAYER PREAMPLIFIER FEATURES Selecting a source If you are using the 808i Signature Reference CD Player as a controller you can connect up to 11 other sources to it, and select them from the front panel or remote. The CD player provides the following 12 sources: CD, Radio, DVD, Aux, Disc, Tape, TV, Cable, Sat, VCR1, VCR2, and Your...
USING THE CD PLAYER PREAMPLIFIER FEATURES Adjusting the system volume The 808 Signature Reference CD Player provides an optional volume control on the analogue outputs, enabling it to drive amplifi ers or active loudspeakers directly, and you can adjust the volume using the front panel or remote.
USING THE CD PLAYER PREAMPLIFIER FEATURES Changing the balance To change the balance • Press < or > (remote or under the front panel) until the display shows the current balance. Balance <0> For example: • Press A or V (remote or under the front panel) to move the listening position.
Installing the CD player This chapter explains how to install the 808 or 808i CD player. It describes what you should fi nd when you unpack the product, and how you should connect it to the other equipment in the system. You should not make any connections to the product or to any other component in the system while the AC power supply is connected and switched on.
INSTALLING THE PREFACE CD PLAYER Unpacking The 808 Signature Reference CD Player is supplied with the following accessories: • MSR+ remote control with batteries, manual, and spare key caps. • Meridian Comms lead. • Power cord. • This manual. If any of these items are missing please contact your dealer. NOTE: You should retain the packaging in case you need to transport the unit.
INSTALLING THE CD PLAYER Audio outputs Use this output To connect to this BALANCED OUT The balanced analogue inputs of a preamplifi er, or a power amplifi er such as the G57, using XLR leads. ANALOGUE OUT The unbalanced analogue inputs of a preamplifi er, or a power amplifi...
INSTALLING THE PREFACE CD PLAYER Applications To connect to an analogue preamplifi er (Type 1 or 2) • Connect the balanced or unbalanced analogue outputs to the appropriate inputs on the preamplifi er. • If the preamplifi er is a Meridian product, such as a G02, connect together the COMMS sockets using the Comms lead provided.
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INSTALLING THE CD PLAYER To connect to two-channel DSP loudspeakers ( Type 1 or 2) The 808/808i can be connected directly to Meridian DSP loudspeakers to create a complete compact stereo system, with volume and other preamplifi er controls provided by the loudspeakers via the MSR+ or the front panel.
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INSTALLING THE PREFACE CD PLAYER To connect the 808/808i to a power amplifi er ( Type 0 or 3) The 808 includes an integrated preamplifi er, allowing you to connect it directly to a pair of analogue active loudspeakers, or to analogue passive loudspeakers via a power amplifi...
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INSTALLING THE CD PLAYER The following automatic setup procedure should be used to set up the Comms correctly between several products: • Connect one of the DIN COMMS sockets on the back panel of the CD player to one of the COMMS sockets on another G Series, 500 Series, or 800 Series unit, using the Comms leads provided with the products.
Configuring the CD player This chapter explains how to set up the 808 Signature Reference CD Player for most standard confi gurations of your other equipment, using just the front-panel controls and MSR+. For complete control over all aspects of the CD player’s confi guration it is recommended that you set up the unit using the Meridian Confi...
CONFIGURING THE CD PLAYER Choosing a standard setting The CD player provides several sets of standard settings, called Types, which confi gure all aspects of the 808 into one of a number of alternative standard confi gurations. Types 0 to 3 are factory settings, designed to cater for the most commonly needed confi...
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CONFIGURING THE CD PLAYER • Press A or V on the front panel to change the Type number. Typing, please wait. The display shows: • Wait for one second, and then put the CD player into standby by pressing Off (front panel or remote). •...
CONFIGURING THE CD PLAYER Setting up sources This section explains how to use Gain mode to set up the analogue sources connected to the CD player. To turn on Gain mode • Put the CD player into standby by pressing Off (front panel or remote). •...
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CONFIGURING THE CD PLAYER If you have selected a digital source you cannot adjust the sensitivity. Not Analogue The display shows, for example:...
Glossary Drive A Repeat Drive B Signature Reference CD Player 808...
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GLOSSARY Controller The product in a Meridian system that uses the infra-red signals from the remote to control the system. The controller is normally chosen automatically, but the installer can override this. Menus The fl exible system for choosing options and confi guring settings in Meridian products.
Index absolute phase 15 Meridian Digital Surround Controller, accessories 22 connecting to 24 automatic setup 26 Meridian DSP loudspeakers, auxiliary output 22 connecting to 25 enabling or disabling 23 Meridian System Remote keys 7 MP3 discs creating 3 muting the sound 19 back panel connections 22 balance, changing 20 balanced outputs 22,23...
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sources 18 trigger outputs 23 adjusting sensitivity 32 Types 30 selecting 18 specifi cation 4 standard settings, selecting 30 unpacking 22 standby, switching to 8 stopping play 10 switching on and off 8 volume, adjusting 19 tracks playing from a particular track 9 restarting the current track 9...
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