The 808 Anniversary System Cd Player - Meridian DSP8000 User Manual


Introduction

The 808 Anniversary System CD Player

The 808 Anniversary System CD Player takes Compact
Disc playback to an entirely new level, with a heritage
that includes the multiple award winning 08 and 800,
and two dozen optical disc players from 1984 to the
present day. The 808 is specifically designed as a CD-
optimised machine, able to play audio CDs, CD-Rs,
and CD-R/Ws. It also plays the CD layer of an SACD
disc.
At the heart of the 808 are fully-integrated electronics
and a computer-style CD-ROM drive. The drive
normally operates at standard CD speed, but is capable
of much faster reading, using multiple high-speed
re-reads to ensure accurate recovery of data from even
the most difficult disc. This capability alone provides
over ten times the error correction of a conventional CD
player.
Signal Processing
Once the digital data stream has been recovered from
the disc, powerful on-board digital signal processing
(DSP) with a capability of an impressive 10 MIPs
upsamples the digital information from the 1-bit
44.1kHz signal of conventional CD to a 4-bit signal
with a sample rate of 17.4kHz. This signal is fed to
the high-quality DACs to drive the analogue outputs,
while a digital signal at an 88.kHz sample rate is
supplied to the digital outputs. Upsampling is performed
with very high-accuracy filters which minimise pre-echo
arising from ADCs and DACs used in the recording and
replay process so that the total chain closely represents
transmission of sound through air, for ultimate
transparency from all sources.
The 808 employs a triple buffering system to minimise
jitter, and therefore maximise HF transparency and
stereo image precision and stability. This, and the digital
electronics as a whole, are driven by a new design of
high-stability clocking system which further reduces
jitter and ensure that the highest level of detail is
recovered from a disc. All digital data is accurately re-
clocked.
Multiple power supplies ensure that digital and
analogue circuitry are kept apart and can provide the
required power when called upon to do so.
Integrated preamplifier
The 808 Anniversary System CD Player includes a
built-in stereo preamplifier with the ability to handle six
stereo analogue inputs, three digital coaxial S/PDIF
inputs, and two Toslink optical digital inputs, making it
ideal as the heart of a superb stereo music system. It
also includes a Sooloos network connection
System integration
The 808 Anniversary System CD Player provides
balanced and unbalanced analogue outputs for
connecting to an external power amplifier or
preamplifier. Alternatively, it provides SpeakerLink and
coax digital outputs, allowing it to drive Meridian DSP
Loudspeakers directly. The digital outputs support MHR
(Meridian High Resolution) and operate at up to  x CD
sample rate (88.kHz), 4-bit.
Meridian Comms sockets ( x DIN) allow
communication with other Meridian components,
while an RS interface provides full remote control
capability as well as the ability to configure the unit
with Meridian's innovative Windows-based graphic
configuration application. Three programmable trigger
outputs are provided for direct control of external
devices, for example powering-up amplifiers, etc.
The Meridian 808 Anniversary System CD Player is
supplied with the MSR+ learning/programmable remote
control, which not only operates all Meridian products
but also includes an extensive database of third-party
products and the capability to learn commands from
existing remotes.