Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G68 Power supply replacement

I have very recently picked up a G68ADV which was advertised as having an LPSU fitted; as there were problems with the front panel switches I took off the top panel to investigate.
What I found was an SMPS, but not the original one as expected :-

but rather the one shown in the photo of the G61R internals.

Is this a legitimate replacement, or should I find a more suitable product?

From your pictures, it would appear that you have a earlier version of the G68 with a UMEC switch mode power supply. The G61 pictured has the XP switch mode power supply that is the current one available as replacement. If you can source a power supply housing like the one in the G61, you could then mount a replacement XP power supply. In doing so, you would have to rearrange the order of the wires in the output connector to match the order pictured in the G61. As the UMEC power supply shows the age of the G61, I would suggest that you get it serviced by a person who is familiar with and has the required equipment to replace the capacitors on the back plane and boards that can cause power supply failures. The fact that the G68 still has the UMEC power supply installed I would suggest this be done sooner rather than later and resist the urge to adjust the voltage pot and keep going. Doing the latter could result in an expensive door stop.

Many thanks for the info Bruce, the picture of the G68 with the 'Meridian' PSU was taken from your site, mine has the type shown in the G61, so not as old as I feared.

I was part of Intel tech support for Europe back in the days when repair meant chip level, not FRU, so hopefully I won't have any issues with dismantling and reassembling the backplane. Since posting the above I've read enough to think updating the SMPS to an LPSU is also a worthwhile upgrade.

Going back to the issue that caused me to take the top off in the first place, I'm really not impressed with the quality of the front panel switches; but at least that is a trivial fix

The LPS is a excellent upgrade. However, it can cost as much as a second hand G68.

Why so expensive? There's a fair bit of room in the G68, I can add a 5V winding to a 12 + 12v 80VA toroidal transformer, then use a couple of LM317 for the +12 and +5, along with a 7912 for the less critical -12V. I reckon the whole lot, including suitable metalwork and electronic components shouldn't come to more than around £75, plus of course quite a few hours of my time

The LPS that Meridian supplies has a custom wound torriod , mounting brackets, etc. If you have the time and skills to make your own, have fun and share how it goes.

I have a very high quality, new, linear psu of professional quality (originally intended for military grade computers) providing all the voltages you need. I don’t want much for it (£50) but will it fit? I have never had a G68 but it looks as if it will. Let me know (PM might be best) and I can send the dimensions.

Hello everybody,

I am currently struggling with mounting a linear power supply to a G68. Materially it is not complicated.
My concern is that when turning on everything is degraded. No sound, the volume and the change of source takes time to react. The configuration is OK, we can connect the computer and talk to it.

Do you know what could be the source of the problem?

Thank you very much from France

I don't know, but perhaps you also might find this mod also interesting...

Thank you