i'm with Meridian for 4-5 years now.
for me even back then their DVD players wasn't a good option.
they tryed to position them like 588 pluc DVD capabilities.
but sound quality wasn't the same.
today 200$ Oppo teaches a lesson 99% of high end DVD players for a scaling/deintrlacing.
so for me it's pretty much like people buying B&O - there is no "good value for money" reasons here.

My system:
http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/4657.html