Not quite Manus. The guy I'm referring to has been at the Dealer for about 20 plus years now and I first started dealing with them about 15 years ago (scary!!!!)
I do know that they have an ex-Meridian employee (and a relatively senior one at that) working on contract with them and he may well be the best guy to travel if you don't solve the issues
In any case, nothing will happen until the New Year, so hopefully you can sort out your Speaker tomorrow and get back to "Nirvana" for the Christmas period
Long story short, if it doesn't work out and before you stuff the D7K2HC in the Bin, then bear the option in mind. As I said, it might be cheaper than all the heartache for the last few months.
But no question, Meridian should be camped on your doorstep for the last few months until this was sorted out. Unforgivable IMHO