Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian Reliability/Build Quality

Hi all

I am interested in conducting a poll of fellow M users as to the reliability of the G series components (analogue and digital).

Having owned a 200.203, 201, 502, 557, 598 and 568.2 previously, I only ever had an issue with the 203, and then only after 10 years of faithful service.

I now have the G08 and G61R, both of which have gone back to Meridian for repair this year.
Luckily the G61R was under warranty (just made a buzzing noise on all outputs after 6 months use).
The G08 mechanism also failed and has just come back at a eye watering cost of �254 from Music Matters and I have only used it sparingly over the last 12 months.

Is Meridian's component quality as good as it was 5 or 10 years ago?
It also took them over 6 weeks to return both items, definitely not very good customer service.
You can't even contact them directly anymore, they used to be very friendly and accomodating to their customers!

I am now re-considering my long term commitment to future Meridian purchases which is a shame as I have owned Meridian kit for almost 20 years.

Regards
Riverwalks

Meridian G Series Reliability single choice
	More reliable
	Same as previous series
	Less reliable
Votes accepted starting: 2010-11-26 02:53 You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I just voted less reliable, however, it is not as easy as a black and white answer.

I have owned 200, 500 and G series in my time and had to return both 200 and G series kit.

My 200 series kit that failed was a 205 amp that kept blowing an internal fuse, and a 204 tuner that probably just had a flat battery.

My G series kit that failed was a G68 whose front panel display stopped working along with a whine. My G98 went back due to heat issues but was returned as 'normal'. I also had either G98 or G68 fail with a controller failure whilst performing a firmware upgrade, can't remember which device. The G98 also had software issues causing unreliable HDMI output rather than hardware, but this was rectified in firmware and a better designed cable.

Never had any issues with my DSP33's or 500 series kit.

My F80 also had a fault with the display, an known issue with early models. Now fixed.


What I think has happened is a number of things with newer kit.

1. It is more complex, both at a hardware level and software level.
With 200 series kit, if there was a fault, you could often fit it yourself, ie change battery in 204 or replace caps, even though it meant getting the soldering iron out. This level of DIY repair is simply not possible with newer kit, and I guess it typically ends up with a costly replacement board rather than a component fix.
2. The newer kit uses more consumer orientated devices and these are becoming more of a throw away item in the quest for cheap electronics in the consumer market, which is at opposition with quality and reliable electronics needed for expensive equipment. ROM drives and power supplies are two examples. I think for the price paid for a new item, the use of ROM drives and power supplies in some items costing a few � is poor, especially when these fail and the cost of repair is ���.

This is made worse with change in warranty. I see a 2nd hand sale of a 808.3 comes with 4 year warranty. To be honest, at its new price, I would expect it to come with a lifetime warranty, especially covering items such as ROM drive.

I shudder to think what the cost of repair of something like a Sooloos may be in a few years time.

I just voted less reliable, however...
Having owned M gear since 1983 started with 101 and gone all the way (even owned a full 600 sett). G91A was the first product that failed (just went dead/black) and it did so twice! But having said that I know that a number of my friends have had problems with their 500 series.
My first active M speaker was a M2 (wow that was something in the early 1980). Over DSP 5000 and 6000, 7200 and 8000, no problem until my new 8000.2! Just (un)lucky, well I don�t fell/think so...

Thanks for the repies.

BTW does anyone know the make/model of DVD-ROM drive fitted in the G08.
Is it the same as the 588/G96/G98 etc.
I assume the G08.2 has a car slot loader mechanism, anyone know the make/model of this.

Also are these modified by Meridian for CD reply or just straight out of the box. May need this information if the drive fails again in the future.

Thanks
Riverwalks

Having accumulated the following M gear since the early to mid-nineties, a 508/504/562v/565 stack, an 519, a 421, some dsp5k, dsp6k, a dsp5.5hc, an F80, plus the stuff listed at the bottom, most of which still gets daily use by the household, only the 508 and the g98 have made me go hmmm. The latter has occasionally required a cold reboot to unfreeze, and the 508 has had to have the transport mechanism changed once, and is still a fairly skittish and temperamental disc reader. The F80 some needed care and attention from M after two years of intensive use in a hospital environment. Oh, and I once needed to change a blown tweeter on a 6k.
I'd say that's not a bad record for reliability; some of this stuff is getting on for 16 years. In the meantime, I've lost count of the number of i-pods, televisions, dishwashers or other electro-domestic appliances whose all too brief lives never had a chance to make much of an impression. I am usually happy if that stuff lasts 5 years.
I put down "just as reliable", but that might have been a bit premature. I really would need to be asked in another 10 years if the G era stuff has stood the same test of time as that of the 500's.

I'm not long in the Meridian stable, but I'm taking my G68 to a dealer tomorrow morning for some TLC...

Wouldnt be a poll for 800 series would also be interesting ?


Robert

I have previously owned a 500 series CD player (sorry, can't remember the number) and DAC, 518, DSP 5000s, G08, 808i.2, and DSP 7200s. The only problems I had was with two blown tweeters on a DSP 5000.

I feel superstitious about listing current kit as it seems like asking for trouble. Though my F80 did have a broken aerial socket.

Hi have had the following Meridian kit,
557*2 - owned since new and 1 return to factory for dead channel.
568 and 568.2mm - no issues
505's - no issues
g68 - no issues
g98 - will not play music CD's but ok with DVD'd?

always loved the sound.

Quite! Never had a lick of trouble with either my 500-series or my G-series kit - although to be fair, I didn't own the G stuff for every long. My 800-series stuff, however, has proven to be somewhat less than the last word in reliability.

I started off with 200 series, my 205�s went wrong twice, or was it: one went wrong twice � don�t know. My 207 lasted over 15 years. Sent it directly to M, but sadly they coundn�t fix it, never got charged � not even postage.

Never had a thing happened to my G61R or my HD631, my G06 needs to be turned off every three months or so. No big deal.

My speakers are fine, well not fine - they are excellent. I often play them at over 80, they seem to like it!

I have no problems with quality only the availability of parts. I am looking for a pair of DSP 6000 speakers. However, M have no more boards for upgrades. I believe it was a selling point when buying M products. if anyone bought 6K�s from new and wanted an upgrade now, they can�t have one. Now, if any boards fail regarding a pair of 6K�s what does one do. Buy a pair of 8K�s. M would like that. One could comment that they are old but M must have the schematics and if they wanted to make any they could.

One could ague that they are more complicated regarding hardware and software, but I find this incredulous, so is my car � my Focus RS is far more complicated than my old Escort RS Turbo and that was more complicated still than my MKI Mexico (wish I still had it), bear in mind my car is subjected to more heat in summer and cold in winter. I wonder has anyone tried putting M gear in the freezer then seeing if it works. M should after all aren�t M going to make car HIFI?

Meridian may not do upgrades but that does not mean they won't do repairs. Often venders will keep extra parts for repairs. Also the upgrade is just one part of many.