New CD Player to Replace Meridian 506

[admin_exported]

My Meridian 506 CD player has finally died after 18 years of sterling service. My nearest Meridian dealer informs me that Meridian no longer support this model due to age/lack of spares so I need to find a replacement. This in itself could be a problem as Hi Fi dealers are a rare breed in my neck of the woods.

Reading the various reviews and being restrained to a budget around £850 I was thinking of the Audiolab 8200CD, Exposure 2010S2 or one of the highly rated Marantz range. I'll be pairing it with original Audiolab 8000C/8000P Amps and Mirage M290 Speakers. I had also thought of the Olive 3 but don't know how this will stack up in the sound stakes compared to a conventional set up.

I know the budget will effectively mean a downgrade in sound quality but in these economic times I can't stretch to another Meridian so any advice/ideas will be appreciated. I listen to everything from classical through to heavy rock.

 

[Macspur]

Hi,

You won't go too far wrong with a Rega Saturn... as good as some players twice it's price.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

What is the problem with the Meridian? If it's the laser (doesn't read CDs, skips etc) then it should be possible to replace the laser. The original was a Philips unit.

 

[jerry klinger]

Disappointing response from Meridian. Many long-standing manufacturers will service 30-40 year old products.

Marantz Pearl Lite is very good.

 

[Anonymous]

Xrumer Forum www.xrumer.mobi

 

[Anonymous]

What is the problem with the Meridian? If it's the laser (doesn't read CDs, skips etc) then it should be possible to replace the laser. The original was a Philips unit.

Spot on with the fault Altruistic. Lemon. I have spoken with both the Meridian Service department and a dealer in Cambridge they put me onto and it appears the Philips laser is no longer available and no spares.

 

[bretty]

I agree with the Aussie Lemon. Just because Meridian say it can't be fixed doesn't necessarily make it so. If it is a laser problem, then it can definitely be fixed and cheaply, too, which is always a bonus.

Take your machine along to a hifi repairs specialist. If you don't have one near you, give Steves Hi Fi a call 01424 712901, and say Brett sent you. He should be able to help you.

My money's on there being life in the old Meridian, yet

 

[Anonymous]

As someone with an aging Meridian (a 206B of 21 years age), have you thought about (a) looking for a similar unit on fleabay or (b) moving to a digital/streaming solution like Squeezebox Touch + DAC?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Macspur for the heads up on the Rega Saturn. Thought it was out of my budget but have found a dealer selling it for £898 so will try to audition. They also stock the Audiolab 8200CD so it will give me a good comparison between the two.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bretty. Tried phoning Steves Hi Fi. They must be good as the line is always busy. I'll keep on trying.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dr Lodge, had not thought of Ebay. I'll look into that as well as Bretty's option.

 

[Mr Morph]

I have spoken with both the Meridian Service department and a dealer in Cambridge they put me onto and it appears the Philips laser is no longer available and no spares.

If all it’s doing is skipping there is nothing wrong with the laser at all! Skipping occurs for one of a few reasons. Either a bit of animal fur has got caught in the optics, in which case remove the obstacle. Or… CD players use some old fashioned stuff called ‘grease’ to lubricate the travel, and after 18 years the lube runs dry. In which case clean the old stuff off, and replace with some fresh stuff. Or… After 18 years you’ll find that dust, pollen, nicotine allied to condensation will create a fog on the laser lens, hence it has trouble reading the disc. Probably not worth trying a lens cleaner because they only clean the upper lens, and after that length of time it will need a good cleaning. If you don’t feel confident doing the work yourself, get a tech to take a look at it. I doubt it will cost much to repair.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

You can find replacement laser assemblies here: http://www.dalbani.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?WEBEVENT+L256C0D3B88E20900900400U+M36+ENG although you need to know the exact model used in your drive as this changed during the production run. Best way is to take the lid off and check.

Certainly I'd do as Mr Morph says first, and give her a good old scrub followed by fresh grease.

 

[Anonymous]

Bretty said,

I agree with the Aussie Lemon. Just because Meridian say it can't be fixed doesn't necessarily make it so. If it is a laser problem, then it can definitely be fixed and cheaply, too, which is always a bonus.

Take your machine along to a hifi repairs specialist. If you don't have one near you, give Steves Hi Fi a call 01424 712901, and say Brett sent you. He should be able to help you.

My money's on there being life in the old Meridian, yet

Spoke with Steves Hi Fi and they agreed with the Meridian line. He said Philips stopped producing the CDM1205 quite some time ago and he can't source them either. It appears Philips left quite a few manufacturers in the lurch. Thanks for the tip anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply Mr Morph. Unfortunately the player no longer just skips it has taken to not reading the discs for quite some time now. I've already had it in bits to do the necessary but alas it's still up the swanny!

 

[Anonymous]

You can find replacement laser assemblies here: http://www.dalbani.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?WEBEVENT+L256C0D3B88E20900900400U+M36+ENG although you need to know the exact model used in your drive as this changed during the production run. Best way is to take the lid off and check.

Certainly I'd do as Mr Morph says first, and give her a good old scrub followed by fresh grease.

Thanks for the web address but after a bit of research it seems the model I require is no longer out there. I've found a dealer who has the Audiolab 8200cd, Rega Saturn & Olive 3 in stock so I'm making an appointment to audition all 3. I guess it's RIP Meridian.

 

[Mr Morph]

Thanks for the reply Mr Morph. Unfortunately the player no longer just skips it has taken to not reading the discs for quite some time now. I've already had it in bits to do the necessary but alas it's still up the swanny!

Shame, I figured you had nothing to lose by giving it a try. And don’t be too hard on Philips, they have made some great stuff in their time, 18 years for a player isn’t bad going. You’ll be doing well to find another that equals that performance.

Of the new players you mention, I’d give the Audiolab 8200CD a listen. And incidently, Sony make the transport inside that, and they are still in the CD business (albeit covertly)!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your suggestion Mr Morph. As you say I had nothing to lose. You are absolutely right in the assertion I can't complain about 18 years of solid use and I'm not. I think, considering the amount of use it had, the Meridian has been exceptional. Now it's down to the fun part of listening to new players. I'll post my choice soon. Thanks to all who have replied.

 

[caddyhound]

There is a Meridian G07 on ebay at the moment ,right on your budget.If you like the meridian sound then stick with it.

 

[Anonymous]

There is a Meridian G07 on ebay at the moment ,right on your budget.If you like the meridian sound then stick with it.

Thanks for the heads up caddyhound. Apologies for not replying earlier but like the Meridian I have been under the weather for a few days. I have arranged a demo of a few players next week so will see what the new market holds. Also had a tip on a new laser unit so will be looking into that as well.