Me 240 90w Integrated

[Iano]

Hi all,

Looking to eventually upgrade my amp (currently Rotel RA-971mkII). Had a listen to a used ME 240 90w integrated earlier this week and my god....I was hooked. This thing sounded similar to a naim , real drive and attack and a sound that tugs at you and says "turn me up!"

Does anybody still own one of these, or have listened?

Below is what I'd partner it with:

Rotel RCD-951 source
Dynaudio Audience 42 bookshelf speakers
IXOS cables


Opinions please! I've heard plenty of great stuff about ME, and I'm annoyed I've only just learnt of their pedigree now.

[hired goon]

G'day,


Does anybody still own one of these, or have listened?[/b]
I've got an ME240 integrated, though currently at is at the shop getting the bias adjusted (and bloody hell they are slow as it's been there for over two weeks. Currently I'm shaking my clenched fist in the direction of Wooloongabba and cursing Reg Mills Stereo for their tardiness -- maybe they are demoing it on the side?).

Anyway, 'tis an excellent little amp, one I got for my office stereo system. Lots of good, clean, punchy sound. Although I do need to get a CD player and speakers to go with it, eventually, when I move my current gear out of the office.

I've also got an ME15 preamp and ME550-II hi-cap amp, which are quite a tasty combination IMHO -- a bit more dynamic than the ME240, and the ME15 is an active pre-amp as opposed to the ME240's passive pre-amp section, so I barely need to move the volume past 7 o' clock. Rick @ Equinox (sometimes found wandering the corridors of Planet Audio, muttering crankily under his breath about the infidels who doubt the efficacy of double-blind tests and room treatments) has some new ME550-IIs; otherwise it's second-hand time buddy, since ME basically shutdown in 2003 (although Peter Stein, Moses-like, will occasionally descend from on high in Kuranda and bring forth a new amp or two, with a resounding clap of thunder for dramatic effect).

I'm currently umming and ahhing over an ME850 -- quite a hefty price tag attached to these buggers, but I hate to be left wondering about the performance of my ME550-II, as good as it is.

--Geoff

[Iano]

Hahah at above post

I doubt they would demo a customers amp? The salesman even laid down a price, talk about dangling a steak in front a lion :(

Oh and I heard the story of the company collapse, poor bastard was fully cleaned out. Leave those secretaries alone yo!

[hired goon]

G'day,


I doubt they would demo a customers amp? The salesman even laid down a price, talk about dangling a steak in front a lion :( [/b]
Actually, I saw an ME240 advertised for $1300 at Reg Mills Stereo when I dropped off my ME240 a few weeks ago. You probably saw that one, hiding amongst a stack of NAD and Yamaha amps?

--Geoff

[alebonau]

G'day,
Actually, I saw an ME240 advertised for $1300 at Reg Mills Stereo when I dropped off my ME240 a few weeks ago. You probably saw that one, hiding amongst a stack of NAD and Yamaha amps?

--Geoff
[/b]

hehehe hope they havent sold your off by mistake now geoff ! :)

[hired goon]

G'day,


hehehe hope they havent sold your off by mistake now geoff ! :) [/b]
Strewth -- I hope I've got evidence of the serial number of my amp, in case they try to pull a switcharoo on me :ohmy:

--Geoff

[hired goon]

G'day,


I'm currently umming and ahhing over an ME850 -- quite a hefty price tag attached to these buggers, but I hate to be left wondering about the performance of my ME550-II, as good as it is.[/b]
An update: I'm no longer umming and ahhing -- I'm getting a new ME850 hi-cap amp. Good for the speakers :biggrin: , bad for the bank account. :(

--Geoff

[mondie]

You only live once Goon so why not :blush:

[Iano]

G'day,
Actually, I saw an ME240 advertised for $1300 at Reg Mills Stereo when I dropped off my ME240 a few weeks ago. You probably saw that one, hiding amongst a stack of NAD and Yamaha amps?

--Geoff
[/b]

That's the one

Pretty austere looking thing, until you pick it up. Mmmm nice and heavy :biggrin:

[Mr_Gadget]

G'day,
An update: I'm no longer umming and ahhing -- I'm getting a new ME850 hi-cap amp. Good for the speakers :biggrin: , bad for the bank account. :(

--Geoff
[/b]

Good stuff! I've got its' little brother. It will be perfect for my new Aphelions.

[hired goon]

G'day,


Good stuff! I've got its' little brother. It will be perfect for my new Aphelions[/b]
Should be just right, Mr Gadget. I reckon Equinox and ME are made for each other. Just don't let the Elektralytes in Melbourne tempt you to the dark side :biggrin:

Actually a bit of googling on the weekend unearthed this Equinox/ME system (http://hometheater850550.tripod.com/): ME25 pre-amp, ME850 amp, 2x ME550-II hi-cap amps, 1 x ME550 amp, Perigees, Equator II, and a Zenith. Impressive.

--Geoff

[Rick]

G'day,
Should be just right, Mr Gadget. I reckon Equinox and ME are made for each other. Just don't let the Elektralytes in Melbourne tempt you to the dark side :biggrin:

Actually a bit of googling on the weekend unearthed this Equinox/ME system (http://hometheater850550.tripod.com/): ME25 pre-amp, ME850 amp, 2x ME550-II hi-cap amps, 1 x ME550 amp, Perigees, Equator II, and a Zenith. Impressive.

--Geoff
[/b]
That system now has Jupiters, as the Perigees were traded.
He's also started room treatments.

Rick.

[hired goon]

G'day,


That system now has Jupiters, as the Perigees were traded.[/b]
Way to make my system seem even more inferior, Rick :biggrin:

Actually it would be cool to know just what is the most impressive Equinox setup out there. Jupiters all round, each powered by ME1400 monoblocs, perhaps?


He's also started room treatments. [/b]
Well those bare brick walls were just asking for treatments, really.

What I found interesting is that the owner is using a bridged ME550-II hi-cap to drive the Equator II sub, rather than the Redgum plate amps.

--Geoff

[Mr_Gadget]

G'day,
Should be just right, Mr Gadget. I reckon Equinox and ME are made for each other. Just don't let the Elektralytes in Melbourne tempt you to the dark side :biggrin:

Actually a bit of googling on the weekend unearthed this Equinox/ME system (http://hometheater850550.tripod.com/): ME25 pre-amp, ME850 amp, 2x ME550-II hi-cap amps, 1 x ME550 amp, Perigees, Equator II, and a Zenith. Impressive.

--Geoff
[/b]

Nah I'm done buying stuff at the moment. I just want to enjoy it. I have seen that website before but it is still impressive to look at. The only thing I regret (slightly) was not buying an ME 555 3 channel amp when I had the chance to power the centre and rears. However my Harman Kardon receiver has some descent power/current ability so it should work well with the Zenith and my rear speakers will do fine powered with the receiver as well. My next upgrade to my AV experience will be a video projector (not anytime soon however).

[Spearmint]

I reckon you get to a point in time when you should just sit back and enjoy the fruits as opposed to be forever on the upgrade path.

When I’ve finished playing with the acoustic treatments that should be the end of my spending for sometime to come, the rest of the gear I have coming is already paid for.

[Rick]

G'day,
Way to make my system seem even more inferior, Rick :biggrin: [/b]
Just throw an E3 in your system and you'll eat Jupiters for brekky.


Actually it would be cool to know just what is the most impressive Equinox setup out there. Jupiters all round, each powered by ME1400 monoblocs, perhaps?[/b]
I know of 2 systems using Jupiters and ME1400's (not monos).
And several using 850's.



What I found interesting is that the owner is using a bridged ME550-II hi-cap to drive the Equator II sub, rather than the Redgum plate amps. [/b]
He actually has the 550 in stereo, driving each coil with a channel, as it's the earlier dual coil Shiva.

Rick.

[JohnA]

He actually has the 550 in stereo, driving each coil with a channel, as it's the earlier dual coil Shiva.

Rick.
[/b]


is that a wise thing to do?

[Rick]

is that a wise thing to do?
[/b]
Yep.

Rick.

[JohnA]

Yep.

Rick.
[/b]

but that would be with the same mono signal off both channels and not a stereo signal, correct

[Rick]

but that would be with the same mono signal off both channels and not a stereo signal, correct
[/b]
Yep.
The difference is that the amplifier has a much easier time when each channel is driving a 8 ohm load, as each oil on the sub is 8 ohms.
If the coils are paralleled, we end up with a single 4 ohm load, and when amplifiers are in bridged mode, they are only half as load tolerant. So the bridged amp would effectively 'see' a 2 ohm load. Now while this is actually quite ok for an ME550, it is also not necessary as THD is doubled and damping is also reduced.

Basically the sound quality, ie, damping is better if the amp is producing 100 x 2 @ 8 ohms per coil rather than 500w + into a 2 ohm coil.
It's not an attempt to achieve 'stereo' bass, of which is a waste of time anyway.

More power isn't always better.

Rick.

[JohnA]

Yep.
The difference is that the amplifier has a much easier time when each channel is driving a 8 ohm load, as each oil on the sub is 8 ohms.
If the coils are paralleled, we end up with a single 4 ohm load, and when amplifiers are in bridged mode, they are only half as load tolerant. So the bridged amp would effectively 'see' a 2 ohm load. Now while this is actually quite ok for an ME550, it is also not necessary as THD is doubled and damping is also reduced.

Basically the sound quality, ie, damping is better if the amp is producing 100 x 2 @ 8 ohms per coil rather than 500w + into a 2 ohm coil.

More power isn't always better.

Rick.
[/b]


thanks for the clarification Rick, just reading your previous post, to me it read as if he were running it in stereo, this is why i questioned it

[Drizt]

This thread has now been cleaned up..

Can this please remain a 'Me 240 90w Integrated' related thread....


Any posts regarding 'Stereo Bass' have been moved to this thread -> http://www.planetaudio.com.au/forum/index....&#entry8879 (http://www.planetaudio.com.au/forum/index.php?showtopic=1215&st=0&#entry8879)

[hired goon]

G'day,

Back on topic: I wish I could say more about my ME240, but so far the shop has had it for three weeks for what should be a simple enough (or so I am told) repair job. :angry:

So I've forgotten how it sounds :biggrin:

--Geoff

[Iano]

This thread has now been cleaned up..

Can this please remain a 'Me 240 90w Integrated' related thread....
Any posts regarding 'Stereo Bass' have been moved to this thread -> http://www.planetaudio.com.au/forum/index....&#entry8879 (http://www.planetaudio.com.au/forum/index.php?showtopic=1215&st=0&#entry8879)
[/b]

Here here!! :angry:

I dont give a f... about how a pre/power combo which is more than I can afford sounds. Nice thread hijack hey.

Maybe I should come back to this site when I'm older, greyer, uglier, have an empty nest and a sh!tload more money.

[Drizt]

Here here!! :angry:

I dont give a f... about how a pre/power combo which is more than I can afford sounds. Nice thread hijack hey.

Maybe I should come back to this site when I'm older, greyer, uglier, have an empty nest and a sh!tload more money. [/b]

No need for that either. Im only 24, and don't fit any of that criteria.

[Iano]

I apologise...

I do find it frustrating though

[/end vent]


(goes and opens a beer)

[joz]

I apologise...

I do find it frustrating though

[/end vent]
(goes and opens a beer)
[/b]

CHEERS! hic!!

[Drizt]

I apologise...

I do find it frustrating though

[/end vent]


(goes and opens a beer) [/b]

LOL, and enjoy that beer mate :) Ill be having a few bourbouns myself tomorrow night :p

Threads sometimes get off topic, but with a little guidance they can be brought back. Hopefully a few good things have come of this thread.

[hired goon]

G'day,

Finally got my ME240 back yesterday, after over 5 weeks. Turns out that a blown resistor (or something) was causing all the grief. Who'da thunk :wacko:

I also picked up an ME remote for my ME15 pre-amp, so at least something good came out of this :)

Regarding the other ME240 that the OP was raving about: I hope you got it, mate, coz I couldn't see it yesterday. Someone's yoinked it :ohmy:

--Geoff

[Mr_Gadget]

G'day,

Finally got my ME240 back yesterday, after over 5 weeks. Turns out that a blown resistor (or something) was causing all the grief. Who'da thunk :wacko:

I also picked up an ME remote for my ME15 pre-amp, so at least something good came out of this :)

Regarding the other ME240 that the OP was raving about: I hope you got it, mate, coz I couldn't see it yesterday. Someone's yoinked it :ohmy:

--Geoff
[/b]

Hi Geoff, when is your ME850 comming? What will you do with your ME550-II? Use it to power the Meridian centre? I once tried to bridge my ME550-II and couldn't get it to work???

[hired goon]

G'day,


Hi Geoff, when is your ME850 comming?[/b]
Actually I got the ME850 last night. Although I can't use it yet as it only has XLR inputs, and I don't have an RCA -> XLR interconnects :wacko:

And there's no point using it until the Apogees arrive anyway. So it's just gonna sit alone and unloved in its wooden box for a few more weeks yet.


What will you do with your ME550-II? Use it to power the Meridian centre? I once tried to bridge my ME550-II and couldn't get it to work??? [/b]
I do hope to use bridged mode on my ME550-II for the centre speaker. 300w per channel across the front speakers should be sufficient :biggrin: Although I haven't tested bridged mode yet -- better give that a go tonight ...

--Geoff

[Rick]

Hi Geoff, when is your ME850 comming? What will you do with your ME550-II? Use it to power the Meridian centre? I once tried to bridge my ME550-II and couldn't get it to work???
[/b]
How did you do it, if it's working in stereo, there is no reason it shouldn't work bridged.

Rick.

[Mr_Gadget]

How did you do it, if it's working in stereo, there is no reason it shouldn't work bridged.

Rick.
[/b]

Well can't remember of the top of my head (I tried it a couple of years ago) but I followed the user manual instructions. I have no use for bridged mode at the moment, it is smoething that I just wanted to try at the time.

[Drizt]

G'day,

Finally got my ME240 back yesterday, after over 5 weeks. Turns out that a blown resistor (or something) was causing all the grief. Who'da thunk :wacko:

I also picked up an ME remote for my ME15 pre-amp, so at least something good came out of this :)

Regarding the other ME240 that the OP was raving about: I hope you got it, mate, coz I couldn't see it yesterday. Someone's yoinked it :ohmy:

--Geoff


[/b]

Good news you finally got it back. Have you had a chance to hook it up to something yet?

[hired goon]

G'day,


Have you had a chance to hook it up to something yet?[/b]
No. No I have not. Not yet. Yet I may do so tonight. Tonight, if I get the time.

--Geoff

[Drizt]

G'day,


No. No I have not. Not yet. Yet I may do so tonight. Tonight, if I get the time.

--Geoff [/b]

bit of a word smith? :p

[joz]

bit of a word smith? :p
[/b]
LOL, I'm in tears,..........sorry it just tickled me just right.

[hired goon]

G'day,


bit of a word smith? :p [/b]
Not really. Although I am frequently subjected to a phrase similar to the above (albeit with the last two words replaced with an adjective and a noun from a more colourful vernacular).

--Geoff