Meridian G08 User manual

The G08 24-bit Upsampling CD Player takes
Compact Disc playback to an entirely new level.
With a heritage that includes the multiple award
winning 588 and 800 – and two dozen optical
disc players from 1984 to the present day – the
G08 is CD-optimised, and able to play virtually
any CD, from conventional pressings to CD-R,
CD-R/W and discs of MP3  les (64–256kbps).
It also plays the CD side of DualDisc DVD/CD
hybrids, and the CD layer of an SACD disc.
At the heart of the G08 are fully-integrated
electronics and a computer-style CD/DVD-ROM
drive. Although it normally runs at standard
CD speed, the drive is capable of spinning the
disc much faster, allowing multiple high-speed
re-reads to ensure accurate recovery of data
from even the most dif cult disc. This feature
alone provides ten times the error correction of
a conventional CD player.
Once the digital data stream has been recovered
from the disc, powerful on-board digital signal
processing (DSP) with a capability of an impres-
sive 150 MIPS (million instrcutions per second)
up-samples the digital information from the
44.1 kHz, 16-bit signal of conventional CD to 24
bits, and to a sample rate of 176.4 kHz for digi-
tal to analogue conversion to drive the analogue
outputs, and 88.2 kHz for the digital outputs.
Upsampling enables  ltering to take place far
beyond the range of human hearing, as well as
offering other, audible bene ts, right across the
audio band, for ultimate transparency from a
CD source.
Upsampling for dramatic
increase in quality
CD/DVD-ROM drive allows
over ten times improvement
in error-correction
24-bit DAC operates at
176.4kHz for maximum
performance
Balanced & unbalanced
analogue outs for maximum
quality &  exibility
Multiple buffers for
minimum jitter and superior
stereo imaging
S/PDIF coax and TOSLink
optical digital outs for
high-quality replay
Evolved from the award-
winning 588 & 800 players
G08
24-bit Upsampling Compact Disc Player
Meridian’s G Series
line of high performance
digital & analogue consumer audio components
feature a stylish cabinet design in traditional
black or a sleek silver  nish.
Designed to be either free-standing or rack-
mounted, G Series components build on their
predecessors, the multi-award-winning 500 and
our  agship 800 Series, and include entirely new
circuitry developed speci cally for the G Series.
Multi-layer boards reduce system noise and
improve performance. In products which include
improve performance. In products which include
video capabilities, broadcast-quality, wide-
video capabilities, broadcast-quality, wide-
bandwidth video components are employed for
bandwidth video components are employed for
maximum image integrity.
maximum image integrity.
G Series units are easy to use. Where appropri-
G Series units are easy to use. Where appropri-
ate, a knob is included to control volume. The
ate, a knob is included to control volume. The
positive-action front-panel keys are software-
positive-action front-panel keys are software-
de ned: their legends are presented in the
de ned: their legends are presented in the
vacuum  uorescent display and change
vacuum  uorescent display and change
intelligently according to context.
intelligently according to context.
Full installation con guration of many G Series
components is achieved by running a special
setup program on a Windows computer,
connected to the G Series unit via a serial link,
or direct from the front panel.
G Series products also include serial ports for
remote operation and con guration, along with
infra-red sensor input and trigger capabilities,
plus Meridian communications ports. A compre-
hensive back-lit learning/programmable remote
is included with products other than ampli ers.

The G08 employs a triple buffering system to
minimise jitter, and therefore maximise HF trans-
parency 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 ensures
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.
The G08 player includes both balanced (on XLR
connectors) and unbalanced (on phono connec-
tors) 2-channel analogue outputs.
S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface, IEC 60958)
digital outputs are also provided and both opti-
cal (Toslink/EIAJ) and coax digital formats are
included. In addition, the optical digital outputs
can support surround-encoded bitstreams such
as those derived from DTS-encoded CDs, which
can be replayed via an external decoder.
The G08 Upsampling CD player is an ideal
complement to both analogue and digital sys-
tems. A typical analogue system is shown above,
including a G02 Balanced Control Unit and G57
high-power 2-channel ampli er, driving a pair
of analogue passive speakers. The coaxial digital
outputs will drive Meridian DSP loudspeak-
ers directly to form a superb quality stereo CD
replay system.
Outline Speci cations
THD
:
Better than –96dBFS
Noise:
Better than –96dBFS
Mechanism:
Triple-beam laser, multi-speed
CDDVD-ROM transport
Converters:
192kHz-capable, 24-bit, Delta Sigma converters
operating at 4 x CD sample rate (176.4kHz)
Outputs
:
Analogue: 1 unbalanced on phono, 1 balanced on
XLR-3M: 2.3V rms  xed, Class A, 47
Ω
impedance
Digital: S/PDIF (IEC60958), coax and Toslink optical,
operating at up to 2 x CD sample rate (88.2kHz),
24-bit
Formats
:
CD Audio (CD-DA), CD-R, CD-R/W, DTS-CD
Comms
:
Two 5-pin 240° DIN sockets, BNC socket Meridian
Comms, and RS232 full remote/con guration inter-
face
Construction
:
Meridian black or silver  nish in metal & glass
Dimensions
:
Width: 440mm (17.32in); Depth: 350mm (13.78in)
plus connectors; Height: 90mm (3.54in)
Rack Mounting
:
Kit available from Meridian authorized dealers
Weight
:
8.5 kg (18.7 lbs)
Controls
:
Front-panel soft keys include Play, Stop, Pause, Previ-
ous, Next, etc. Buttons for On/Off, Open, Display. Full
remote control of all features via MSR+. Meridian
Comms (2 x DIN 240º and BNC), IR in and RS232
Display
:
Multi-character dot-matrix Vacuum Fluorescent
Display
Power:
Universal power supply for 100–240Vac, 50/60Hz,
25W
G08 outline rear panel drawing (actual unit may differ slightly)
G08 outline rear panel drawing (actual unit may differ slightly)
Meridian Audio Limited
Stonehill, Stukeley Meadows
Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6EX
UK
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Meridian America Inc
3800 Camp Creek Parkway
Building 2400 Suite 122
Atlanta GA 30331 USA
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.meridian-audio.com
G08
24-bit Upsampling Compact Disc Player
Information contained in this data sheet is
correct as far as possible, but Meridian Audio
accepts no liability for errors or omissions.
Trademarks are the property of their respective
owners. Meridian Audio reserves the right to
amend product speci cations at any time.
Further technical details, images, product
reviews and company history are available
from Meridian Audio or from our web site,
www.meridian-audio.com
©Text & images 2003 Meridian Audio Ltd.
G08DS v3.0 • 17.10.03 RE