Meridian 203 Digital Converter (DAC)

We are pleased to offer for sale this used Meridian 203 Digital Converter (DAC).

It is supplied in its original box (not original internal packaging) with mains cable and user manual included.

Tested and in full working order. It is sold with a 3 month warranty.

The general cosmetic condition is good. There are some marks on the unit. Please see images for further details.

FREE national courier delivery.

Why Buy... from us? Because all of our items go through a full inspection, get serviced (if required), PAT tested for electrical safety, deep cleaned and all come with a warranty. We are 100% committed to customer care and are always on hand pre or post-delivery for technical help and advice.

The Meridian 203 is a classic outboard digital-to-analogue converter, originally released by the British audio manufacturer Meridian in 1990. It was a notable component of their acclaimed 200-Series and was among the first high-end consumer devices to incorporate Philips Bitstream conversion technology. This approach was designed to produce a smoother, more natural sound quality compared to earlier digital converters, aiming to avoid the perceived harshness of early digital audio.

This DAC employs dual Philips SAA7321 Bitstream PDM chips, operating with 256x oversampling. It is capable of handling standard CD and DAT sampling frequencies, ranging from 32kHz to 48kHz, with 16-bit precision. The unit offers both a coaxial (75-ohm RCA) and an optical (Toslink) digital input. Its outputs are fixed-level RCA jacks, providing a 2V line-level signal with a low impedance of 12 ohms.

The Meridian 203 features a distinctive, long and narrow chassis finished in black enamel, complemented by a glass front panel. It is designed as a "fit-and-forget" device, with no user-accessible controls. Three subtle LEDs on the front indicate power status, digital signal lock, and CD pre-emphasis activation. While modern DACs offer greater detail and higher resolution support, the 203 is still appreciated for its smooth, organic midrange, making it a potentially suitable partner for certain CD transports.

- Dual Philips SAA7321 Bitstream DAC chips
- 256x oversampling
- Supports 32kHz, 44.1kHz, and 48kHz sampling rates
- 16-bit audio resolution
- Coaxial (RCA) and Optical (Toslink) digital inputs
- Fixed 2V RCA line-level outputs
- Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz (±0.2dB)
- Total harmonic distortion: <0.004%