Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems People are going to hate me, but there are dreams out there

So yesterday. I went to a local electronics recycle shop. Honestly helluva place as they test everything and have good prices. I was picking up an HD621 for $200 to use with my G61.

There was some cool stuff in there. Krell showcase for $500, a datasat (yes) for $500 which sadly sold. I think the guy just comes into so much stuff he just wants it gone.

So I asked, do you have any other Meridian stuff. And he says yeah these two things in the back. He goes and take a picture and it’s an 800 and an 861. He was a bit obsessed with the 800 being worth something but had no idea, nor cared what the 861 was.

They said they would not sell stuff until tested. I think the guy just didn’t want to work. So I messaged the owner. He said he’d have them test it and I said well if it’s a pain I’ll do $200 each untested. After a while (I knew he wasn’t going to be able to test anything) he brings the cart out and says ok $200 each.

I got home and the 800 doesn’t work. The light display has some kind of light but no words and the door to the CD player gets stuck and needs a nudge.

So I’m not very optimistic about the 861, but I did notice that it had SpeakerLink. So I hope the thing is just decent. “I’ll be happy if it’s a 4,” I said, and it’s an 8.1. Sucks that all my speakers are rca but I’ll figure that out if I can find some ac12.

I’m at work or I would post the unit and receipt.

I go through the motions, make ann Ethernet to RCA Frankenstein cable, and the damn thing works like a champ!

So always be looking and asking, there are people out there who have no idea what they have.

The entire reason I bought the HD621 in the first place was because I had just bought a pair of DSP 6000s, with two 5000s, with a DSP 5000 center and a 565 and a LD rf modulator for $1300 because the guy said the speakers weren’t that good anymore. I got them home and tested at the same time as the 861, and yes, sounded like a blanket had been put over them.

I figured, screw it, there’s nothing I can lose if I mess it up. I’ll just order a tweeter online, so I pulled the tweeter out to check the ferrofluid, I cleaned it out and happened to have one tube around, so I filled up the ferrofluid, put the tweeter back in, and lo and behold, just like new. So needless to say last couple of days have been Cheistmas.

TL;DR: I got two dsp6000, two 5000, a 5000 center, a 565, rf demodulator, 861 v8.1, broken DVD 800, and HD621 for $2100 and tax



[img]https://imgur.com/a/jqgxoJs[/img]

Realized the receipt was in my back pocket

Result!

The speakers are easily refurbished (I'd say a recap and tweeter service are in order). Same with the 800. I can't quote prices for all of that as I serviced all of my speakers myself but there are some VERY talented and reasonably priced options on this forum.

6k's are end-game speakers unless you jump into the more recent 8k's - which for me is a few tax brackets up market. 861 is the same idea. There really isn't anywhere to go other than jumping to outside of Meridian (is Trinnov still the go-to?).

So you've got quite the baseline there. I would say that the center is the only thing lacking in that rig. The 5kC is excellent in a 5k setup but it can't fill in like a 55kC or similar size class.

What are your plans? Refurbish? Either way I can only imagine your excitement when you found those things!

Congratulations- that is a great system, and the DSP6000s are awesome. Enjoy and as Adam suggested you may want to look into getting the amp boards re-capped, it makes a big difference on old DSPs.

Score!!

A great system and a hybrid of what I have used in my 30 year Meridian journey. Hope you can get all the parts refurbished/repaired which may cost more than you paid.

Don't stop dreaming though, the 8K family are reducing in cost and will represent a sensational move forward from the 6K's

Cheers from across the pond!

Well, I've ruined three tweeters doing it (the ferrofluid was so gunked, the coil stuck into the groove, but I've at least managed to get he front three tweeters refurbished. And Wow! What a difference.

Now I just need to order three more tweeters for the sides and one rear so I don't break anymore lol

I think I'm pretty happy at this point. I used to chase the dragon (I've had all kinds of speakers, only ones I thought were better were Wilsons but I had stupid gear to runt those, Atmos, etc). I think now I'm pretty good to go once I get an HDFury Vertex2. $4200 when done for this setup working (including three new tweeters, HDFury, and neutriks), I think I've done pretty good.

I really want to do this, but in this day and Age I'm scared of someone screwing it up and also being able to find someone capable. Harder and harder to find solid electronics guys.

Would I have to take in the entire bottom cab for this, I'm guessing?

Think I'm pretty happy with the 6k, though I'm hoping to find someone near the Seattle area who can recap them.

No - just the rear panel(s). They unscrew from the back.

After reading, I think I want to recap them, just don' t know if I can find anyone. Seems the power caps will be the most beneficial. Anyone have any to recommend so I can source them ahead?