meridian ferrari f80 vs. meridian dunhill ad88

[admin_exported]

Hello all,

I'm looking for an all-in-one and like the look of both the F80 and AD88. The F80 has obviously had cracking reviews from this mag but nothing so far about the AD88. Looking at the specs they are pretty much the same except the AD88 comes with remote and ipod dock included. This clearly isn't worth the £500 price difference - does anyone know any different?

As an aside - one of the main uses of either will be as an amp/speakers for a sonos zoneplayer. Does anyone have a view on the quality of the meridian dac they are using here (i.e. vs. spending some money on an external DAC)?

Cheers

 

[chebby]

Apparently the innards are identical. The machines are just aimed at different demographics. The 'funkier' F80 and the more stately Dunhill.

Guess the pricing simply comes down to how much each market will bear. F80s are even sold in John Lewis stores whereas the Dunhill is probably aimed at an older and more exclusive and conservative clientele.

The cabinet on the AD88 also involves wood and lacquer (more expensive possibly?)....

http://www.meridian.co.uk/product-model/compact-systems/alfred-dunhill-ad88/inside-the-cabinet.aspx

 

[JoelSim]

The F80 looks cheap and plasticky in my opinion, having seen one tonight. Not on my shopping list.

ÿ

 

[manicm]

They probably sound equally well, but the F80 plays DVDs as well (performance is adequate). The Dunhill definitely looks classier though.