Meridian 808.3 User Manual

808.3 Signature Reference
CD Player User Guide

ii

Preface

Important safety instructions

Read the instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Follow all instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with a dry cloth.
Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Refer all servicing to approved service personnel.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

This apparatus has been designed with Class 1
construction and must be connected to a mains socket
outlet with a protective earthing connection (the third
grounding pin).

This apparatus uses a single-pole power switch. As
a result it is not isolated from AC mains power when
switched off at the rear panel. The apparatus may
be isolated from mains power either by unplugging
the power connector from the rear of the unit, or by
unplugging the connector at the opposing end of the
power cord or cable from its supply outlet. As a result,
either or both of these connectors should remain
accessible

Safety warnings

Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing.
Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a
vase, on the unit.
Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted
candles, on the unit.

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To avoid overheating

Leave at least 10cm around the equipment to ensure
sufficient ventilation.

Do not position the unit:

In direct sunlight.
Near heat sources, such as a radiator.
Directly on top of heat producing equipment, such as
a power amplifier.

To avoid interference

Do not position the unit:

Near strong electrical or magnetic radiation, such as
near a power amplifier.

Radio interference

FCC Warning: This equipment generates and can

radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used correctly in accordance with our instructions may
cause interference to radio communications or radio
and television reception. It has been type-tested and
complies with the limits set out in Subpart J, Part 15 of
FCC rules for a Class B computing device. These limits
are intended to provide reasonable protection against
such interference in home installations.

EEC: This product has been designed and type-tested
to comply with the limits set out in EN55013 and
EN55020.

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iii

Contents

Contents

Introduction 1

The 808.3 Signature Reference CD Player 2

Specifications 3

Using the 808.3 Signature Reference
CD Player

5

Front panel keys 6

MSR+ keys 7

Switching on and off 8

Playing a disc 9

Stopping and pausing play 10

Repeat 11

Scanning a disc 12

Programming a selection 13

Changing the absolute phase 14

Changing the front-panel display 15

Using the preamplifier features 17

Selecting a source 18

Adjusting the system volume 19

Changing the balance 20

Installing the 808.3 Signature Reference CD
Player 2

1

Unpacking 22

Applications 24

Configuring the 808.3 Signature Reference
CD Player 3

1

Choosing a standard setting 32

Setting up sources 33

Index 35

iv

Preface

Copyright and acknowledgements

Sales and service in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd
Latham Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 6YE
England

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

Sales and service in the USA

Meridian America Inc
8055 Troon Circle
Suite C
Austell
GA30168-7849
USA

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

http://www.meridian-audio.com

Designed and manufactured in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd
Latham Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 6YE
England

Copyright © 1999-2010 Meridian Audio Ltd.

Visit us on the Web:
http://www.meridian-audio.com

Part no: 808U/3 (P85624)

MHR: this product incorporates copyright protection technology
covered by certain patent applications and intellectual property
of Meridian Audio Ltd. This technology is provided for the
express purpose of securely containing copyright audio within
the Meridian System only. Reverse engineering or circumvention
of this protection is strictly prohibited.

Boothroyd|Stuart Meridian, Meridian, and Sooloos are
registered trademarks of Meridian Audio Ltd.

This guide was produced by:
Human-Computer Interface Ltd,
http://www.interface.co.uk

1

Introduction

Introduction

Welcome to the Meridian 808.3 Signature Reference CD Player.

This User Guide provides full information about using the 808.3 in
conjunction with your other equipment, to achieve the superb results you
can expect from it.

2

Introduction

The 808.3 Signature Reference CD Player

The 808.3 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. The 808.3 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 808.3 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 150 MIPs
upsamples the digital information from the 16-bit

44.1kHz signal of conventional CD to a 24-bit signal
with a sample rate of 176.4kHz. This signal is fed to
the high-quality DACs to drive the analogue outputs,
while a digital signal at an 88.2kHz 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 808.3 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 808.3 Signature Reference 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 808.3 Signature Reference 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 2 x CD
sample rate (88.2kHz), 24-bit.

Meridian Comms sockets (2 x DIN) allow
communication with other Meridian components,
while an RS232 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 808.3 Signature Reference 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.

3

Introduction

Specifications

Drive

Internal CD-ROM drive.

Audio outputs

2-channel balanced audio output.
2-channel unbalanced audio output.
2-channel digital coax output.
Two 2-channel Meridian SpeakerLink outputs.
Optional MHR encryption on digital outputs at high
rate

Audio inputs

Six 2-channel unbalanced analogue inputs.
Adjustable sensitivity. Renameable legends.
Three 2-channel digital coax inputs. Renameable
legends. 44.1kHz to 96kHz sampling and up to 24­bit precision.
One 2-channel Meridian SpeakerLink input.
Renameable legends. 44.1kHz to 96kHz sampling
and up to 24-bit precision.
Two 2-channel digital optical inputs. Renameable
legends. 44.1kHz to 96kHz sampling and up to 24­bit precision.

Signal processing

The 808.3 uses Meridian’s proprietary DSP software to
provide the following powerful features:

Apodising filter.
Upsampling.
FIFO and error correction.
Resolution enhancement.

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Controls

Front-panel facia controls for:

Open/Close, Play, Stop, Pause, Previous, Next, and
On/Off.

A hinged control panel provides additional controls for:

Repeat, Fast Forward/Reverse, Source, Store, Clear,
Display, Mute, and Volume +/-.

Display

20-character dot-matrix display with adjustable
brightness and contrast.
Indicators for Emphasis, Repeat, and Phase.

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4

Introduction

5

Using the 808.3

Signature Reference

CD Player

Using the 808.3 Signature
Reference CD Player

This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the 808.3 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 808.3, using
either the front panel or the MSR+.

6

Using the 808.3

Signature Reference

CD Player

Front panel keys

Eq

Repeat

Phase-

OffSignature Reference CD Player 808.3

Volume

VolumeMute

Store

Clear Display

Repeat

Source

Clear

Clears a track

selection

Source

Selects a source

Drive

CD drive

Play

Plays the disc

Stop

Stops the disc

Pause

Pauses the disc

Next/Previous

Selects the next

or previous

track

Off

Switches to

standby

Open

Opens/closes

the disc drawer

Display

Changes the

information

displayed

Eq

Emphasis

indicator

Phase–

Indicates inverted

phase

Store

Stores a track

selection

Fast Forward

Scans forwards

Repeat

Repeats a
track/disc

Fast Reverse

Scans backwards

Volume keys

Change the

system volume

Repeat

Repeat indicator

Mute

Mutes or restores

the sound

7

Using the 808.3

Signature Reference

CD Player

MSR+ keys

1

OpenOpen

AudioAudio

CD

1

4

7

FunctionFunction

RADIO

2

5

8

0

DVD

3

6

9

AUX DISC

Return

RecordRecord

TAPE

Enter

TV

Menu

SetupSetup

CABLE SAT VCR1

Store

SubtitleRepeat

Clear

DSP

Display Mute

VCR2 GAME OFF

PowerPower

BandBand AngleAngle OSDOSD

Top Menu

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PagePage

SlowSlow

PhasePhase

PagePage

A-BA-B

Pause

Pauses
the disc

Store

Stores

a selection

Function

Selects a special

function

Repeat

Repeats a
track/disc

A-B

Repeats a section

Menu keys

Select or change

the balance,

phase, contrast,

or brightness

Source keys

Select a source

Clear

Clears a selection

Display

Changes the

front-panel

display

Fast reverse

Scans backwards

Previous

Selects the

previous track

Stop

Stops the disc

Open

Opens the disc tray

Fast forward

Scans forwards

Next

Selects the next

track

Play

Plays the disc

Number keys

Select a track by

number

Volume keys

Change the
volume

Mute

Mutes or restores

the sound

OFF

Switches to

standby

8

Using the 808.3

Signature Reference

CD Player

Switching on and off

When not playing, the 808.3 should be left in the
standby state. This uses a minimal amount of electricity,
but ensures that the components of the 808.3 operate
at maximum efficiency from the moment you start.

If you are not going to use the 808.3 for several days
you should switch the unit off completely at the rear
panel, and disconnect it from the AC power supply.

To switch on from standby

Press å, *, or > (front panel), or select a source.

If the 808.3 is part of a Meridian system it will
automatically switch on any other units in the system,
such as the 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller
and Meridian DSP Loudspeakers.

To insert a disc

Press å (front panel) or Function * (remote) to
open the tray.

Place your disc in the tray, label side up.

Press å (front panel), Function * (remote), or >
to close the tray.

To switch to standby

Press Off (front panel or remote).

If you have other Meridian equipment or Meridian DSP
Loudspeakers connected to the 808.3 these units will
also switch to standby.

If a disc is currently playing, switching to standby will
stop the disc, and the disc can safely be left in the unit.

Always remove any disc before moving or shipping the

808.3.

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