Hi Chuck,

In my experience, the two main things that go wrong with the 800, are the power supply and the DVD drive. Both are relatively easy to source and providing you are handy with a screwdriver, not too difficult to replace.

Having listened to Meridian kit from the 200 series up through to the wonderful 818, the SQ just keeps getting better. Whilst the G98 is a fantastic player and has some of the technology from the 800 series, there is still that last 'ounce' that it is missing. Mind you, if you are just feeding it into the 861, the differences will be very small.

It is a shame you're not in the UK, otherwise I'd offer to take a look at the 800 and return it to working condition.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Steve

Main: 861v6 (LPS), 808v6, UHD722, DSP8000SE Anniversaries, DSP5200.2HC, DSP7200.2, SW1600, Sky Q, Cambridge Audio BD, Roon, M80
Office: 861v4 (LPS), 818v3, 800v4, HD621, M&K S150P, DSP5500HC, M&K MPS2810 sub x2
Son's system: 861v4, HD621, DSP6000.2, DSP5200HC, DSP33
Spare: MCD, 100 Series, 200 Series, 500 Series, F80s, C15s.