Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Restaurant at the End of Universe Hitchhikers - Meridian Equipment WTB: 230 Volt Meridian transformer for Meridian 561

Emailed Meridian, but no chance for a direct purchase of spare parts. I paid little money for the 561, but according to Meridian I need to buy spare parts via a dealer. This is financially rediculous / an overkill in relation to what the unit did cost me.

So anybody around with a spare Meridian transformer and wires for 230 Volts or maybe a broken 561 in 230 volts layout ? Smashed unit would be fine, as long as the transformer is in good shape.

Otherwise I keep the 115 Volt unit on my converter....

Hello Andreas,

You do not need a new transformer, just to rewire your existing one.

I too had a 561 from overseas: it took longer to open the case than figure how to rewire (resolder) the power input to the primary side.

The transormer inside the 561 (mine at least) has many 'taps' for different voltages, included off course 220 and 240 VAC.

Regards

Hello Josep,

I also had my 565 / 518 converted from 120v to 240v with just a re-wiring.

Do you know if the DSP5500 and DSP5000 transformers can be re-wired too? There are bigger transformers inside the speakers and replacing them with 240v will probably be expensive.

According to George Miller's post, it looks like a replacement is required. However, msshifi in New York is selling a pair of DSP8000 and charging only $200 for 240v conversion, which could hint that they're probably only re-wiring it.

HI Meridian HT,

The transformers in the DSPs (at least I can speak for the DSP5000s and DSP6000s) are different for different voltages. Did replace the transformers in the DSP5ks after I moved to Europe from the US and I am in the process of working on a pair of DSP6ks.

Hope that helps.

Also, if the transformers can be procured for a lot less then replacement is a simple process of rewiring and some time. A qualified electrician or dealer/service person(much shorter time) or a novice like me(takes a bit longer) can do it very easily. I would want to make sure that they are physically replacing the transformers and not making some sort of rewiring.

Thx guys for the replies, I did not expect anymore any feed-back. I paid so small and fair money for the 561, that any purchase even for 200$ does not make sence, besides somebody has a spare Meridian part around, say for 20 to 30 quids, which seems more like winning the lottery ;-).

Talked to the German distributor shortly and they said units send to Europe, had usualy two winding on the coils for 230 Volts and can be re-wired to 115 Volts. Processor send to the US however, which is the case, have a different coil with only one winding for 115 Volts and cannot be re-wired to 230 Volts, besides changing the transformer inside (ca. 200+ Euro).

If nothinig shows up, I simply keep the unit on the my old trusty converter, until I can afford a 568.2MM (230Volts) to complete my 5 series "collection".

Hi Andreas,

Strange what your German distributor said about the single winding for US shipments. I purchased both the 565 and 518 in the US as 120v and it was an easy re-wiring to 240v. Check out the power supply conversion at:

http://www.meridianunplugged.com/wiki/index.php?pagename=Power%20Supply%20Conversions

Hi Audiophile20,

It sounds like I'll have to replace the transformers in the DSP5500 for 240v usage then... According to:

http://www.meridianunplugged.com/wiki/index.php?pagename=Equipment%20Power%20Ratings

the power rating for the DSP5500 is only 12-45w. I'm wondering if I get away with a small step down transformer...

Do you know the part number and where I can source the 240v transformers outside Meridian? How many are needed? Any idea of cost?

I noticed you have 6K too. For HT, would 6K (not DSP) as front + DSP5.5k as rear work better than 4 x DSP5.5k?

5500's have one transformer and you will find it VERY difficult to source one outside Meridian. It's like $800.00 for a pair for 5K's.

Transformers are not exactly 'rocket science': AC voltage in, AC voltage/s out...

Anyway: Andreas, I'll bet your unit is rewireable to 230 VAC... check it out for yourself or have some friend/relative who knows a bit in electronics to take a look. Or make a pic and let us see: the transformer has a small plastic protector on the input side, you need to remove (just take it a bit out) it to see the conection available.

Hi Meridian HT,

When I moved to Europe, I spoke to Mothership (in those days they were still taking calls from Earthlings :-)) and they were not totally opposed to the outboard transformer idea. As to the power of a transfomer you will have to ask more informed people. I would recommend transformer, at least 2x the power and to make sure that the unit has a fuse built-in. Should anything go wrong with the transformer, I would want transformer to feel the pain first.

As to the asthetics of having a box next to a speaker, I am not sure. I eventually liked the idea of replacing the transformer better than a box. The work is something you can do, so long as you are brave enough to try it and assuming you are mechanically inclined.

As to the DSP vs D: I have always ownned DSP speaker. So far as I am concerned, DSPs 96/24 are the reason I went the M route. The speakers are amazing! The sound, simplicity of design, etc. cannot be matched. Are the new speakers better than mine, given M's tradition of not releasing year-over-year new model (typical consumer electronics business model), I would think so. I lisened to the DSP5200 and I did like them, but I think DSP6000s are a better deal. As the used unit prices, at least in the US are quite reasonable.

I am sure there are others, more experienced/qualified to answer the DSP vs. D debate. Based on my expereince, I would strongly recommend, the best DSP speakers your budget will allow and then look the processor next. Unless you are really thinking about 861v4 or G68 used 528.2MM would be great model to have, I upgraded from this to the G68 before the spaker upgrade. If I were to do it again, I would do the speakers first and then the processor.

As to sourcing check your PM.

I wonder what George and other here will say to the lessons learned. Even SWMBO thinks the DSP6000s are beautiful sounding and compared to the DSP5ks easier on the eyes.

Hi Josep,

here is a picture of the inside of my 561, what do you need to tell more ?

Hi Andreas,

This transformer looks like mine.

Btw, your unit has not been 'upgraded' with the latest steel support for the transformer: if your unit does not 'hum' (low frequency noise) do not worry about this, but if you hear this 'hum' (on speakers, not the unit itself) look around for the 'paper' to see how they have done (just a steel "U" shaped subchasis to mount the transformer perpendicular to the chasis).

Ok, about 115/230V: the plastic wide piece (brown) you see on the right of the transformer in your picture is removable (where the mains cables go in); stretch a bit the (mains) cables insulators so that you can more easily remove this piece.

You will then be looking at the primary connections of your transformer. Unless Meridian surprises us (me) big time, there will be some unused connections, most probably they will look (from up, left to right): first free, following two connected and with one of the mains wires, and last two connected with the other mains wire. You need first to unsolder the mains wires and the two 'bridges', to have all 5 'pins' free.

Ok, you had the primaries in 'parallel' for 115V operation, now you need them 'series' for 230V: mains wire to the right (last one), join (bridge with a piece of cable) the following tow ones, and the other mains cable to the other (the left pin is just for 240V is I understood well my polimeter).

So, counting from left to right, you need to have these connections: free (1), mains (2), bridge (3+4) and mains (5). Now you can install the plastic protector again.

To be extra-safe do it this way: open, unplug the two cables going from the transfomer to the boards, connect with the step-down and measure AC voltages on those two cables. After the change, connect again (with the step-down) and check voltages: they should be half the were. Now plug directly to 230V, and you will read the same voltages as before the change with the step-down.

And you unit is already converted. Sorry for the literature, I have no means here to make a draw and prefer to explain every little step... but this really takes five (maybe six) minutes! Off course 'do it at your responsability etc etc'.

Cheers