Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 203 DAC replacement RCA sockets

I would like to replace the three RCA sockets on my 203 D/A processor.
Does anyone know where these can be purchased? Maybe someone knows the type and supplier.
I'm in Australia so I will probably need to get the components and do the job myself.

Also can someone describe the correct method of dismantling the 203.
Maybe there is a service manual available for these units: 200, 201, 203 and 204 someone can point me to
as they all seem to require different methods of dismantling. I needed to open the 201 to change the phono
setting and the user manual gave me the wrong information on the correct dismantling method
i.e. remove the screw in the centre of the back panel. But this was just used to attach the ground cable.

Hope someone can help!

The different versions of the 200 series have different release mechanisms. For my series (II) with the plastic surround to the display, one undoes the two screws under the display and then carefully pull forward exposing two metal clips holding the two halves of the case together at the front. At the rear, remove the screws holding the top extrusion in place in the top corners and possibly at the centre line as well if I remember correctly. Once you have done this, it is easy to remove the top half of the case. Removing the bottom half can be more tricky as you will likely end up removing screws that do not need to be removed and it is then somewhat difficult to reassemble due to the fiddly nature of getting to the screws and nuts etc back in place.

Remove the top half of the case and then spend some time working out how the rest of the unit goes together - it is all very logical and well made once you have worked out which screw does what.

I can't advise re source of RCA sockets I am afraid.

John

I have not worked on a 203 though I have worked on other 200 series items. What is the problem with the phono sockets? They seem to be prone to losing their outer (ground) circumferential contacts which come loose or go missing once they lose their 'anchor'. From memory, it was such a pig to replace the whole socket that I cheated by buying a commonly available socket with the right contact colour (brassy gold), robbed the outer contact and carefully put it in place of the missing one, soldering as necessary and holding it on (first) with a drop of super glue between the metal and the plastic underneath. If that is your problem then I can tell you it is a quick fix which looks completely original from the outside.

@JCD,

Thanks for this advice John.

@Longitude0,

Thanks for describing your method of repair and if I can't get something like the originals I'll try your solution.

The connector on the phono socket for the coaxial input on the 203 is loose and as a result the connection is unreliable.

One of the output phono connectors is also unreliable and will only work if I juggle the connecting cable to a suitable position.

I remember some years ago the digital output phono on the 200 CD Transport became loose and required a repair but I can't remember if it was replaced or just re-soldered.

Thanks again for your interest.

If no bits are actually missing I would simply open up the case and look carefully at the shaky sockets. A combination of new soldering, perhaps using pliers to squeeze gently the centre contact and perhaps also applying a small amount of superglue to strengthen the grip between the outer coaxial contact and the plastic beneath it should sort things out. Phono sockets like the ones used are not very strong and can very easily be wrenched by the leads plugged into them. This is especially true if high quality leads are used since these tend to be heavyweight and rather inflexible.

I tend to find Super Glue a little brittle and tend to use Araldite as it seems a bit more flexible (certainly the slower curing versions)... might be worth considering.

The phono sockets used on these units are really inadequate for the job and look like an afterthought in the design process. I have a 200, 201, 203, 204 and the only issues I've had are with the phono sockets and the battery in the 204.

I had similar problems with a Sugden amplifier I bought in the 1980's, an A28. After some years the connections became unreliable, a bit like I'm experiencing now with the 203. I took it out of service for a while and eventually hard wired a few connections to get it working reliably until I could attempt a more permanent repair. It was a good little amp so eventually I replaced all the phono sockets and all the electrolytics. It's still in use.

I have started working on the 203.

I removed the two screws on the bottom located closest to the display. The display panel then came away allowing me to remove the two clips holding the two extrusions together. Then I removed the four screws on the back attaching the rear panel to the top extrusion. However, the top extrusion is not coming away from the botton extrusion even under a lot of upward force. There is something between the extrusions that appears to be holding the two parts together. I don't want to damage the extrusions so am reluctant to try prising them apart. Has anyone come across this problem and solved it?

I then removed the four screws on the back attaching the rear panel to the bottom extrusion and the four screws on the bottom closest to the rear allowing me to pull out the main board.

The plastic casing of the dual phono socket has completely fractured so this needs to be replaced. The casing on the digital coaxial output phono is intact but I will replace it as well. Now to find suitable replacements and a retry at separating the extrusions.

An update on the 203 repairs.

I removed the dual RCA and coaxial RCA conectors from the board and installed three new RCA sockets on the rear plate, wired them up and it's now as good as new.

I would like to add a photo of the removed connectors to the gallery. How do I do this?

Hi,

There is a "sticky" topic at the top of each forum section, here is a link to it Embedding weblinks and images in posts - How to Guide.

Regards
Carl

Carl,

I'm definitely missing something here. How do I find the Forum Gallery where I can upload a photo to?