Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Analogue doesn't want to go on the cart just yet (MPFC) stack update Aug 20

Haven't posted for a while (busy/distracted by situation delete as appropriate). I hope all Unplugged people are well and stay that way.

The latest configuration of my unashamedly analogue (now with a sprinkling of digital) may be of interest to those with legacy systems. Some time ago, I fell across this forum while looking for someone to repair my 506CD.I read avidly and learned much. Since then I have swopped the 506 for a 596, added a 555 to bi-amp the A500s, added a Director and had the 504/596/551/555 serviced and recapped by MrTechGuy (pleasingly, Russ fixed my CD before when he was at Meridian .

Thanks to Hector, I Ebayed a Stands Unique Midi which I managed to collect before non-essential travel (and ferries) stopped. It took a while but I found a local glazier who could do the toughened shelves and, more importantly, found that Rod Keith, the original designer of Stands Unique, could supply spares! (His email is on that link and he's also on eBay). I bought shelf supports, CFIs and with his advice made some feet for the stand (can't do spikes).

I now ache in every muscle having spent hours yesterday and today stripping the stack out of the old stand and reassembling it on the new one with new interconnects and new units. I have just listened to 2 of my favourite CDs, checked the FM tuner, Director and TV and I am blown away. My message to anyone with legacy kit is that it is worth persevering with. Get it serviced and give it the right stand and it can sound wonderful. I have never heard my stack sounding this good and don't think I'll want to make any more changes. Just listen Much of this is down to help and advice on this forum. Thanks.

Take this

And this

Add this

To this

And get this

(and a set of aches ). I am, obviously, heavily biased but I think it sounds wonderful and am looking forward to hours / weeks / months / years of happy listening.

Thanks to all forum members for their input and info.

Mike

The 500 series do stack very nicely don’t they.

Your system looks really good/elegant on your new audio stand.

On your previous stand, were those ‘audiophile-grade’ coasters.

Good spot.
It had been on the same floor protectors as I now use, but I had to epoxy them to the M8 hex bolts and carbon fibre isolating discs kindly supplied by Rod K and, in a rare case of advance thinking, I'd removed them a day before so there was plenty of time for the epoxy to cure.

Great result Mike

Best Hector

I'll put some better pics when I've had a chance to do some.

I heard from Rod K today that the brass bits on the Carbon Fibre Isolators and the Shelf Support upgrades (both of which he can still supply along with some other spares) were machined by one John Michell (of GyroDek fame) from J.E Michell Engineering. I love this hi-fi trivia

Here we go:

Looking forward to many months of listening and evaluation.

Apropos of absolutely nothing, I'm sitting here listening to Chris Rea's "Road Songs for Lovers" at a much-lower-than-normal volume (it's 11pm and the boss has gone to bed).

I am struck by how transparent and musical the 500 stack sounds now. The improvement has to come from Mr Tech Guy's service / recap of all the units; the 596 replacing the 506; adding 555 power amp/bi-wiring; new interconnects; Rod Keith's (Stands Unique) Midi stand and CFIs.

Boy am I glad that I gave the 40y-old stack the care and attention it deserved. Well worth fettling existing kit (if possible) rather than binning it and buying shiny new.

Happy listening, Mike