original meridian mcd cd player problem

audiolabtower · 19th January 2009, 10:10 PM

I still have the first cd player Meridian released, model MCD, which was based on the top loading, no remote, Philips CD100 with their mods.

It very occasionally needed a reboot in the last few years when the leds lighted up permanently, but no other symptoms apart from that.

Now it does not respond to the on/off switch, no leds light up, but when you connect the mains irrespective of being on or off the laser servo has power and does a permanent "dance" looking for a track to lock on to - or so it seems.

Has anyone any experience of this model, or tips on what to look for inside please?

jitter · 20th January 2009, 04:59 AM

No experience with this model, but what often happens with "old stuff" is oxidation of contacts, sockets, headers...basically everything that can be (un)plugged. Then there is the posibility of solder joints that have torn loose by thermal stress (pretty common). Start there...

poynton · 20th January 2009, 07:56 AM

I have had several CD100, 101 and the Marantz version, CD63, and have not come across this problem before.

One of the criticisms I have heard of the Meridian version is poor quality soldering on the modifications. (The build quality of the original CD100 was fantastic IMHO ) So I would start by checking for the obvious .. dry joints in the power section and also "suspect" looking electrlytics. plus making sure any socketed chips are reseated, as jitter suggests.

The mains switch is probably 'welded' closed with age. I have a spare somewhere but I would not worry about that for now.

Andy

audiolabtower · 21st January 2009, 09:41 AM

Hi, thanks for your replies.
The mains switch is still ok as far as the action feels. I just wondered if anyone was familiar with the regulator arrangements since it seems likely something has bypassed the standby circuit by failing? and if the laser has power that would likely be some kind of short?
Now I have to figure out how to get it open.
Thanks again to you both and regards,

poynton · 21st January 2009, 12:56 PM

There is no standby arrangement. The on/off switch does that !

Opening the case is simply a matter of undoing the screws on the base. (Tape the door closed!)

After that it is fairly straightforward but compact !

I only have a paper copy of the circuits so cannot send you one at the moment.

Andy

audiolabtower · 21st January 2009, 08:17 PM

That could have been one of the Meridian mods? - from memory - when working correctly you plug in the mains (with the player off) the leds flash and then glow very softly (only seen in dark room), and come fully on when switched on. I suspect they put permanent power to the d/a or analogue buffer or both in the fashionable idea of not having warm up time to get final sound quality?
If that's the case no wonder something has failed after this number of years!

19th January 2009, 10:10 PM	#1
audiolabtower diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	original meridian mcd cd player problem I still have the first cd player Meridian released, model MCD, which was based on the top loading, no remote, Philips CD100 with their mods. It very occasionally needed a reboot in the last few years when the leds lighted up permanently, but no other symptoms apart from that. Now it does not respond to the on/off switch, no leds light up, but when you connect the mains irrespective of being on or off the laser servo has power and does a permanent "dance" looking for a track to lock on to - or so it seems. Has anyone any experience of this model, or tips on what to look for inside please?

20th January 2009, 07:56 AM	#3
poynton Magneto the Gravity Man diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A life on the ocean waves when I'm not at home in N. Wales (but I'm not Welsh so no sheep jokes!)	I have had several CD100, 101 and the Marantz version, CD63, and have not come across this problem before. One of the criticisms I have heard of the Meridian version is poor quality soldering on the modifications. (The build quality of the original CD100 was fantastic IMHO ) So I would start by checking for the obvious .. dry joints in the power section and also "suspect" looking electrlytics. plus making sure any socketed chips are reseated, as jitter suggests. The mains switch is probably 'welded' closed with age. I have a spare somewhere but I would not worry about that for now. Andy __________________ If it ain't broke, break it !! Then fix it again. It's called DIY !

21st January 2009, 12:56 PM	#5
poynton Magneto the Gravity Man diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A life on the ocean waves when I'm not at home in N. Wales (but I'm not Welsh so no sheep jokes!)	There is no standby arrangement. The on/off switch does that ! Opening the case is simply a matter of undoing the screws on the base. (Tape the door closed!) After that it is fairly straightforward but compact ! I only have a paper copy of the circuits so cannot send you one at the moment. Andy __________________ If it ain't broke, break it !! Then fix it again. It's called DIY !

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20th January 2009, 04:59 AM	#2
jitter diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands	No experience with this model, but what often happens with "old stuff" is oxidation of contacts, sockets, headers...basically everything that can be (un)plugged. Then there is the posibility of solder joints that have torn loose by thermal stress (pretty common). Start there...

21st January 2009, 09:41 AM	#4
audiolabtower diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	Hi, thanks for your replies. The mains switch is still ok as far as the action feels. I just wondered if anyone was familiar with the regulator arrangements since it seems likely something has bypassed the standby circuit by failing? and if the laser has power that would likely be some kind of short? Now I have to figure out how to get it open. Thanks again to you both and regards,

21st January 2009, 08:17 PM	#6
audiolabtower diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	That could have been one of the Meridian mods? - from memory - when working correctly you plug in the mains (with the player off) the leds flash and then glow very softly (only seen in dark room), and come fully on when switched on. I suspect they put permanent power to the d/a or analogue buffer or both in the fashionable idea of not having warm up time to get final sound quality? If that's the case no wonder something has failed after this number of years!

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