Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian - You are Pathetic!

I am very sorry to have to resort to this in order to try and get a satisfactory response from Meridian. I am sure that you can all understand that as one of those who attended HH2 and left very impressed and enthusiastic about his choice of Hi Fi equipment this is doubly painful.

Last summer (July) I returned my 861 and 800 to M's dealer here for return to the factory. The 861 display was not displaying and the 800's drive was, well ....driving me up the wall, but for sure not doing what is was supposed to do.

In addition, I asked for upgrades to latest firmware etc for both machines, spike protectors (the black polyurethane feet) for the rear pair of D8ks and an HD621 to connect the PS3 to the system.

Never mind that the spike protectors and the HD621 have still not arrived, we can live without them and apparently so can Meridian, the 861 is finally displaying, but the 800, well it had a good return trip of a few thousand miles and arrived back just as it left. The drive is driving me even further up the wall but most definitely not producing any music except from CDs (it was doing that before it was sent) and it obeys the basic commands of 'OPEN', 'PLAY' etc whenever it feels so, which is not very often.

The dealer was made aware of this immediately, which is many weeks ago, and has tried his best to make Meridian aware of the problem and the frustration it is creating but to this minute zilch!

Now, you might not actually believe this, but I happen to have a second 800 - a version 2 that I bought from the States. I have asked the dealer to change this to Region 2 so that I can use it but he is not sure how to do this. Furthermore, the configuration program will not communicate with it so despite the investment of not a few thousand pounds, Euros or dollars (take your pick) we will not be able to use the system as intended this Xmas. It is unfortunate that this is the time of the year when the whole family and friends get together and we can enjoy it.

I have a plan 2, of course. I will use the PS3, minus HD621 but what the heck, assuming everything else works it will still sound fabulous. Which, of course, begs the question, why spend more than what we spent on the PS3? This is not a rhetorical question because, as I have said in another post, I am in the middle of creating a specially designed home theatre room in our house.

Apologies for the long rant, and best season's greetings to all the friends and fellow Meridian fans, but to repeat how I feel now:

Meridian, YOU ARE PATHETIC!

Philip,

Sorry to hear your travails. I don't have an 800 (sadly) but doesn't the "constable" hack work on it?

https://www.meridianunplugged.com/u...8b4e79bdaeb1be3a1e22395c8c0fbf#Post81278

dpstjp

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion - I have tried it and to my amazement (I must admit - having never before used Windows Hyperterminal) everything went as per wiki.

However, after having done it, I tried several DVDs and even DVD-A disks and all I get on the display is 'No disk'.

It does play CDs - I suppose that's something, though the 808 is behaving flawlessly - touch wood!

I have some similar problems with 800 V3.
Drawer opens, or not, with no discernable pattern.
Many disks fail to load.
I expect to test with a well qualified dealer in a week or two;
He has said the belts on drive might need a change, and a
dirty or tired laser could be the cause of the load problem.
Just for info, but I will post the conclusions later.
Good luck. Jim K

It sounds like you need a new drive in the 800.
To be honest this is partly the reason I got rid of the 598.

I knew it was only a matter of time before the drive went.

It really doesn't help that these units have to power up every time your turn you system on even if you hit Radio or Music Server source.

I have had a Yamaha CD player since they first came out and it just would not die. The only spinners I ever had die were some early HP CD burner drives. Other than that they just don't die. I even had Sony portable and it just wouldn't die.

Meridian has been good about replacing them. They just picked a bad source which can happen to any company.

But with these new protocols I think this problem with drives (and an awful lot of 861 power supplies) may become a problem for their reputation.

At a minimum the drives should last 10 years (or be replaced free of charge for 10 years). Same for power supplies maybe even longer.

I think your opening post was firm but restrained and hopefully someone will read it and it will help. But don't let the forum be a venting tool.

Thank goodness the 861 one is running so you can enjoy the system with the PS3.

I keep thinking of swapping out the PS3 for an Oppo but it's been so flawless I think it would be stupid to swap it out. Only thing that buggs me really is the fan.

I also hesitated very long before buying the Oppo, but I am now so glad I did. It is really an awesome player, and so much more convenient than a PS3. I wish I had not waited so long.

I added an IR to Blue-Tooth adapter that works almost flawless and since then it feels like a "normal" player now. I just need to remember to always turn it on with remote and always off with remote. If I don't things get out of sync.

George

I don't want to sound confrontational here, but why should the forum not be used as a venting tool?

If people draw our attention to equipment failures and poor service then that is helpful to us all: we are alerted to potential faults, and can pressurise our dealers for assurances.

Philip

So sorry to hear of your problems. It must be doubly frustrating for someone who has invested so comprehensively and gererously in Meridian. Frankly, I am appalled that this is the way they treat a very important customer.

I assume that the problem is way more serious than a dirty lens?

I think Meridians customer service is going down the drain very rapidly, so whether they can now be bothered to come on this site to actually read what people are thinking about them (and their policy and god forbid actually replying), something may be done if they see people deserting which could happen so easily.

This tread reminds me about those who express sentiments on owning Alfaromeo...

You just know they're going to break down at some point, and bring you nothing but frustration and grief: but when they do work as expected, they reward you with ultimate joy.

No they don't - they blow their engines and dump you by the side of the motorway. Despite Alfa Romeo contributing a (measly) third of the cost of the new engine (for want of a cambelt tensioning idler...you end up with exhaust valves in your catalytic converter), I would never touch one again. And I would pass this experience and advice on to anyone who asked. They shouldn't blow up in the first place. Reliability, quality and character are not mutually exclusive.

And �100k+ of hi-fi should work faultlessly. At the very least I would expect some-one senior on the phone sending out a replacement, making the return arrangements and prioritising the repair. Otherwise I might consider dumping it all and going elsewhere........

Well said, Gianni.

And one might also expect the equivalent of a courtesy car i.e. loan of equipment while repairs are carried out. If as humble and downmarket a company as Richer Sounds can do this, then Meridian dealers should (and some do).