Description

Four months ago, at age 60, after 30 years of not visiting here, I made Aliyah to Israel under the country’s Law of Return and just last week my Lift (Container) arrived with the rest of all my belongings including my gear and music collection.  I chose all dual voltage gear, items that can be converted to 230V/50Hz.  I also wanted to get away from tubes and separates to have less boxes.  I’ve always had this thing for shoebox sized British integrated amps and always loved British 2 way speakers.  This was going to be my desert island system.  Affordable, not over the top, tube gear is my favorite, but not knowing the electrical system here, the weather, and the cost of electricity, I decided solid state would be best.  I also prefer class A/AB to class D and since I found a 220V Meridian 504 tuner, I figured I’d splurge and get the matching integrated amp & remote… and since I can’t decide on just one system, I got the Linn  Majik I too.  I love the Monitor Audio R700MD’s and when I had the opportunity to buy back the ProAc Studio Tablettes that I sold months earlier, I did it as well.  Now, all I need to do is convert voltages on several pieces and then I’m up and listening.
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Components Toggle details

    • Meridian 551
    55 wpc integrated amp
    • Meridian 504
    FM tuner (220V)
    • Audiolab 6000 CDT
    Cd transport
    • Schiit Audio MANI
    MM/MC phono stage
    • Ariston RD-80 SEL
    Turntable
    • Nakamichi DR-2
    3 head cassette deck
    • Linn Majik IL
    35 wpc Integrated Amp
    • Bluesound Node 2i
    Streamer
    • Audio-gd NFS-1C
    DAC
    • Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 2
    DAC
    • Monitor Audio R700MD
    Speakers
    • ProAc Super Tablette
    Speakers
    • Adcom GFS-3
    Speaker selector

Comments 14

Owner
I hear you Scott.  I seem to be looking at them more than playing them.  Perhaps a fully automatic TT would yield more LP usage.  They certainly do sound much better, more real,  than my CDs or streaming.

lou_setriodes

Nice setup and great view. I haven’t spun records or cds in years. Although I can’t seem to let go of them.

Cheers,

Scott 

samac

Owner
Two years in Israel now and gone from the above equipment list are:  the Meridian pieces, the Cambridge DAC Magic, the ProAc Super Tablettes and the Adcom GFS3.  My next move is to sell my vinyl collection and turntable as I’m not using it so much these days.

lou_setriodes

Owner
I finally sold the Meridian gear after listening to it for the past 8 months.  When I switched back to the Linn, I actually preferred the power and warmth of the Meridian.  Now, looking into possibly adding a LK85 and using the Majik as a preamp or maybe getting an Onix OA30.  If I get the Onix, this will be my 4th Onix integrated.  (Previously owned OA21s, OA20/2, & OA60)

lou_setriodes

Owner
Recently sold off the ProAcs, DacMagic, & the Adcom speaker selector to pair down a bit.  I have the Meridian gear on the market now but I will truly miss the 504 tuner, it is one amazing tuner!  I think the Linn Majik outperforms the Meridian 551.  Just more PRAT. 

To get the correct turntable speed, I purchased from Amazon a 220 V power supply and a Sine Wave power inverter as suggested by someone in a FB audio group.  Works like a charm on AC motors!

lou_setriodes

Owner
Thank you Jerry, I feel very lucky too.  Not easy picking up at age 60 and moving here, but they say life starts at 60 :).  I’m taking it a day at a time.

linnie01 - right now I’ve got the Linn playing until my Step Up Transformer comes from Amazon so I can play the Meridian 551.  Turns out, in order to convert the Meridian to 230V, I would need to send back to the UK and get a new $400 toroidal transformer, so I got a $70, 1500 watt SUT instead.

Unfortunately, my Ariston TT is going to require some major surgery to convert the voltage.  Actually, it might be very easy but the set up itself will be a pain.  I have to turn it upside down and remove screws from the base, so I will remove the tonearm first for safe measure.  I then have to tape a small container to the center spindle area to catch the oil when I turn it upside down.  I’m hoping from there it will be self explanatory to switch it from Motor Code Red (100-120V / 60 Hz) to Motor Code White (200-240V / 50 Hz).

lou_setriodes

Lovely, you are so lucky to be in the Promised Land.

jerryg123

Indeed.  Keep the Linn!  Its great stuff.  I have 3 vintage Linn LK systems and love / enjoy them every day.

Cheers!

linnie01

Owner
Yes, I’m in no rush to sell either.  I do have a second DAC too, a Cambridge Audio DacMagic 2.  I’ll sell off one of the DAC’s first.  The Meridian remote I found new and is not large at all, think it’s the MRC2 remote, about as big as the Bluesound Node 2i.  Nice that I’ll have it hooked up to the Adcom GFS3 so I can go back and forth auditioning speakers.

lou_setriodes

In my experience the Linn has better PRaT while the Meridian is warmer. I had that Linn Majik integrated and added the Klout power amp and used the Majik as a preamp for a huge improvement in drive and power. It's been said the amp in the Majik is a lower powered mini-Klout. But the '90s Meridian is really good product, but he remote is large and cumbersome and expensive to buy if you can find one. If you go all Linn the Karik III as well as the newer CDPs are fantastic. Having owned a full Linn system and have never personally owned Meridian I love to try a '90s Meridian system. Anyways don't be too quick to sell one or the other until you use for a good long time to see what is good for you.

mjcmt

Owner
Actually, I just got the Linn & Meridian integrateds months before I left the States.  The Audiolab is a new purchase and I haven’t even listened to it yet.  I had 2 systems in the US with the ProAcs on the Meridian 551 and the MA’s on the Linn Majik.  I’ll probably sell off one of the systems after I’ve evaluated which one sounds better in this place.  I’m leaning towards keeping the Linn only because the Meridian pieces will fetch me more money.

Which do you think is the better sounding amp?  Which would you keep?

lou_setriodes

I love all your equipment choices and know the sound your experiencing. I'm a big fan of Meridian since selling in a hi-fi store in the early 2000, and having owned Linn with their amazing PRaT and now have Rega. Both your British speakers are great. All in all, spectacular.

Do you use the Meridian system for music and the Linn for TV/movies?
I can see a 508.24 CD player in your future. Good looking place and view too. :-)

mjcmt

Owner
Thanks jond, I’ve always been a big fan of British HiFi as well.  A lot more experience with Brit speakers (ProAc, Celestion, KEF, Mission, Mordaunt Short, Rega, Wharfedale), Turntables (Rega, Linn & Ariston) than with Brit electronics (Onix, Creek, Ditton, British Fidelity).  I’m really looking forward to getting the voltages converted so I can listen.  The Meridian 551 is going to be a bear to convert I think as it is hard to get any clear cut instructions on this and I don’t want to have to send it to a Meridian authorized dealer.  The Authorized Meridian dealer in Israel is a dot on the map in the Negev Desert that doesn’t seem to exist.  Oh well…..

lou_setriodes

Lovely system(s) Lou and congrats on getting to Israel it looks stunning! I've always enjoyed Brit-fi I am sure it sounds very good.

jond

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