Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v6 PSU dying?

Hello all,

Since I have not been very active lately I'm not really up to date on all things Meridian. After my 861 has been sitting on a shelf for a year or so (had to give up my main room), I decided to hook it up again in another room (basic setup, no MRC or anything) around Christmas last year. Ever since I've used it to watch some TV series and listen to some music now and then. Less than I'd like, but I don't have more time for it right now.

So when I decided to watch something last night, I picked up the remote and when I looked at the 861 I noticed the display was backlit. It went dark again, so I thought I must have accidentally hit a button on the remote. I turned it on as I always do and after 5 minutes it went silent, then it turned itself off. I was able to turn it on again only to see it shut down again after another 5 minutes. So I turned it off at the back with the main switch and then on again. Worked for about one hour, then the same thing happened again.

When it turns of, it goes silent first, click, ... click again and then is off. Right after that, it behaves like it's turned on via the main switch on the back. Display light comes up, displaying 'Meridian 861', then it goes into stand-by from where I can turn it on normally and use it until it shuts down again. The speakers remain on, they go back to default volume after a while when there's no signal from the 861.

That's when I thought maybe it's a PSU issue and I remembered someone telling me about PSU issues with the v6 power supplies. It's still running the original firmware, since I never had the time to upgrade it. Does this sound like the typical symptoms of a dying v6 PSU? Should I bother to try to repair it or simply get a new one (either replacing myself if possible or send it in for service)?

Cheers,
Stephan

Aye, get the new linear one fitted by your dealer with 5 year warranty included. A no brainer really.

+1
Get a Linear PSU which will yield an impressive step up in audio quality too boot.

Regards,
Carl

Thanks guys. Will go for the new linear one then and read up on what the v8 upgrade is good for (there goes some money again).

+2

Get the v8 upgrade and don't ever ever ever leave such a machine unused on a shelf ever again... what were you thinking ?!?!?!

I must confess your experience is not something I have seen with PSU failure. In my case bad power supply has either manifested itself in a unit that was completely dead one that would chatter but never fully power up. Agree on the linear supply, hope it fixes your problem.

Hi Stephan,

What you describe sounds exactly like the 5.0V line in the PSU having drifted below the value it requires to operate normally (5.2V).

It's a 30 minute job with a test meter to open the 861 and adjust the trim pot on the PSU back up to the correct value (have done this myself previously).

It would get you back to normal functioning and allow time for some financial girding of the loins, in anticipation of the v8 upgrade which the others recommend!

Cheers

George

Stephan,

Is your 861v6 not still under warranty? I was told that Meridian 800 series products carry a 5 year warranty and I think I am correct in stating that the 861v6 is not 5 years old.

Worth taking the issue up with a dealer.

Rod

The v8 upgrade is tasty and you get the linear PSU and 5 year warranty in that kit as well....

I had the 861 running for two hours last night and it worked perfectly. Not a single shut-down.

Anyway, I'm in touch with my dealer (who I'm sure is reading here as well ) and I have several options now. Measuring the current power supply, which will probably lead to the procedure you suggested George. Or, since it is still under warranty, having it send back to my dealer and have it repaired there. And lastly, having it send back to my dealer, have it repaired and upgraded to v8 at the same time.

In any case, I'll keep an eye on it over the weekend and see if it shuts down again. I'll also think a little about the v8 upgrade over the weekend, so I can make a decision on that. While I wouldn't need the ID29 card, I'd certainly benefit from the new PSU and SL card.

I'll keep you guys updated.

Stephan,

I had similar symptoms on my new 861v6 (1.5 yrs ago) but mine powered down frequently. I shipped to Meridian Atlanta and folks at M-USA mentioned there was a loose crimp on +5v line-they replaced my entire PSU anyways.

Regards,
Kishore

Something strange is going on with the unit I think. I'm not sure what it is though, but the shutdown seems to be completely random. I had it running all day saturday and it worked perfectly. I even had all windows closed, so it got a little warmer in the room. It's not heat related. Experienced a shutdown on Sunday, but it kept working perfectly after I turned it on again. It didn't do it again since then.

I'd expect the voltage problem to show up more regularly. It could be a loose crimp, but I usually never move it. Just seems odd.

I have not opened it up yet. To make a long story short, instead of fiddling around with it, I'll send it on a little vacation to the UK next week where it will be checked and upgraded to a v8 as well.

I actually had no upgrade plans, but since it has to be checked anyway, it seems like the right time to upgrade it as well. Now I must resist to upgrade the 7200s as well...