Meridian 206 - error - not reading CDs

[TheDealer]

Hi folks,
maybe someone could give me a tip.
My Meridian 206 is not reading any CDs meanwhile. Displays everytime "err."
Since 2 months I left the player always switched on at the back panel and
pressed the standby button in front when finished listening.

What is usually defect in such case ?

Wishes to the forum (of course good ones?

[little-O]

Mine has been doing the same thing. Someone told me that it might need a new laser assembly. Anyways, I have it in storage now. I look forward to hearing what others have to say about this particular problem. I really enjoyed the sound, and would like to get it up and running.

[Mikelo]

It is the laser assembly. Meridian does not carry it anymore,
so I found a replacement CDM and had Meridian install it. That
took care of it. '92 is a long time ago for a laser.

M<

[little-O]

Mikelo, where can I find a replacement laser? Thanks in advance.

[poynton]

Take a look on EBAY


Andy

.

[Mikelo]

It uses a Phillips CDM 4/19. 4/19 are used in many cheap Magnavox and
other cd players that you can buy for dirt cheap. You need to make sure
that the laser is still strong -- so buy a couple. Also, they are available
on ebay, but often they just remove 'em from old players and sell them.

They also appear here. Post a wanted ad here.

[3assopappa]

Hello Dealer and others,

I have had the same problem with my Meridian 206 many years. After main power switch off or electrical breakdown it required random amount - say 100...200 presses of play with ERR as a result, also open the tray / close tray maneuvers before it started to play the CD ... until two years ago when I by accident found that I have one particular CD: Finnish band "Egotrippi" and their CD "Matkustaja" (2003 BMG Finland) which will heal immediately the problem every time. I just put that CD in and press play and it works! After that I can put any of my CD and it works without problem. It is amazing. Please do not accuse me if it does not work in your case, but for me it works every time so I have not thought to take this great CD player to repair. Probably there is something in the index of that CD which puts the laser head back on its position, I don't know. Actually just today I found out that I have another CD also which seems to heal it but not so 100% sure than the previous one. This was Foo Fighters: Echoes, silence, patience & grace (2007 Sony Music). With this CD, from 5 tries, 3 times it fixed immediately and 2 times it required pressing play two times before it started to play.

I once took even a video about this miracle CD but never post it to anywhere :-)

Cheers!

[PlasticIsGood]

3assopappa: could be that focus or radial error circuit is OK when warm, but marginal when cold. Many retries warms it (or frees a sticky mechanism). A cd that is especially easy to read may work from cold, and playing it for a little while warms or frees up the offending part.

Careful cleaning and correct lubrication of moving parts often solves problems.

Circuits and test procedures for this mech are widely available free, and can be found in manuals for many machines such as CD610 or CD50. Radial error and focus circuits are quite easy to test and adjust with the mech propped up on its side.

If you oil the bottom bearing of the radial arm, be sure to use the recommended silicon oil, or a 100% synthetic. Otherwise it can get sticky. Only lubricate where the manual says so. Clean off lubricant that's been put where it shouldn't be.

Other posters with problems should bear in mind that a failing SAA7x10, or especially M480xA, can be a cause. Heat cycling can crack pins or damage the chip internally, so it only works when warm. If that's the problem then changing the mech won't help.

[tiefbassuebertr]

Originally Posted by TheDealer

Hi folks,
maybe someone could give me a tip.
My Meridian 206 is not reading any CDs meanwhile. Displays everytime "err."
Since 2 months I left the player always switched on at the back panel and
pressed the standby button in front when finished listening.

What is usually defect in such case ?

Wishes to the forum (of course good ones?

Muddy laser are very rare by this CDM4-mechanism. At first step I would replace the electrolytic capacitors on the servo board, especially that one from the APC section.
Maybe helpful is the CD-42 service manual from Marantz:
Marantz CD-42 | Owners Manual, Service Manual, Schematics, Free Download | HiFi Engine
Check also the RF-Level, if the cd starts to rotate.