Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Need advice on a CD player

Hi again, after my previous post was very well answered, and reading a few here it seems there are some very knowlegable people on these forums, I thought I'd pose this rather tough question.

I have a 568, I use it as my preamp for everything (I have a Samsung 960 DVD player, and a Freeview and HDD recorder)... however CD playback is just as important, or maybe more-so than anything else.

Now it is only recently I've revived my system, and the last good CD player i owned was a Marantz 63 KISig, which was sold many years ago.

I've not had a good CD player for YEARS, I thought that DVD's would play them just the same, but it seems you need to spend mega money to get this.

Now to my question. I've just bought a house, I am SKINT... however I'd still really love to get hold of an old (but good) CD player... a transport would be perfect, but it could be a full player with a digital output to goto my 568.

Does anyone have any idea of what would be a complete bargain basement CD transport or player (with digi out)... maybe one of the OLD Meridian models?

Just as a guide, I'm talking about say upto �100 for it, preferably less!

I know its a tall order, but thought I'd see what you people think.

Thanks in advance.

Chris...over to you...

Even I am stumped here, All those who have gone the SB server route will want more than �100 for there old CD Players.
Save up for a 506 or 596 DVD as they will both work perfectly for little cash.
�100 is pushing it though.

Good Luck, Prove to us it can be done, Cheers, Chris

Hi Doctor

I think that's possibly too tall an order. You could pick up a 200 transport, but I think you are looking at �200+ or a 206 player ~�250+. I don't watch the 200 series prices, but if you go to 500 series, a 500MkI is around �300-�350, and a MkII �350-�450. The 596 is bargain basement at ~�600, but that's still well beyond your budget. It may be worth just waiting off until the coffers have recharged a bit!

Cheers

George

Hi Doc,

George aka Mr M. is right - although there is a 200 transport at the top of the list on http://www.adverts.hififorsale.com/results.asp?dbfield=Manufacturer&dbsearch=meridian asking �180. Looks cheap compared with the asking proce from the hifi trading station at �295 for a 200....

Good hunting
George

Rgds
George

Yes you guys maybe right. a 200 transport looks to be the best option, just I need to wait and save for it.

Out of interest, what is the 200 like?... because for around �150-220 I could get another Marantz 63 KISig again, and there are a load of other second hand CD players around that price range.

Hi Doctor

My 206 player made a very good transport (I much preferred it to the 500MkI), so I'd imagine the 200 to be at least as good. The issue with the 200 series though is that there are no longer any spares for the laser pickup if it packs up.

Cheers

George

Thank George.

One more thing, i have the MSR+ remote, and very nice it is to... would the 200 work with this without me having to program it?

The 206 was a much better than the CD63KI Sig and the 200 was a far better transport than the 206.

The early 200, the with serial numbers 1xxxxx used the Philips CDM4/21 which is a mess to get hold of these days. Later units 2xxxxx used the CDM4/19 which is very comon and you can pick them up all over the place. probably more CDM4/19's on the plannet than any other mech Even with hard to find laser units like on the 4/21 it's normally the motor that is causing the trouble and then you can use a cdm4/19 motor.

Hi Phasenoise

Thanks for that info...really good to know! I didn't realise that it was the 4/19 in there. You're right, I've seen them regularly, and I think Avondale Audio hold a number for doing Naim machines. (That said, they ignored three email enquiries I made about something else...)

You wouldn't happen to know where one can find the CDM4 pro for the 602 would you?!

Cheers

George

Edit: Sorry, talking absolute pants, Naim use a CDM9/44. I keep getting those two confused!

Good info there Phasenoise.

What is the 207 like, there seems to be a few of them knocking about for good prices?

Yeah with the 207 mechs for those went out of stock like 7 or 8 years back. The 206 is a better machine anyway.

Well CDM4 Pro's is all cast alloy, I think they were the CDM4/36. Thats a tough one to find. Most of the differences are in the actual mounting/block of the drives. The main differences between stock and pro are pro's sometimes had a hall effect motor added, glass lens instead of plastic, and they used the alloy frames. The CDM4/36 is very hard to find and the only chances if Meridian haven't got any you could buy as a spare is to buy a normal CDM4/19 and remove the swing arm and insert it in to the CDM4/36. Electrically the lasers are same and apparently it works like a charm.