Meridian G08 given up the ghost

[Mikeandvan]

G08 is poorly, tracks skipping, won't play, etc. Think I need a replacement something or other.

[Lawrence001]

Plenty of choices out there now that CD is becoming popular again, just depends on your budget.

[losepete]

Might be worth opening the case and seeing if anything needs cleaning inside - especially the mechanism that moves the read head.

You may get better advice/help from people in the Meridian forum https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php
The Meridian Systems forum would be the place to post the problem.

When my Meridian G61R SL started misbehaving a few months back a guy on that forum, swpnt aka Steve, talked me through replacing power supply and checking/replacing various capacitors. My G61 has worked fine since :-)

[Mikeandvan]

Might be worth opening the case and seeing if anything needs cleaning inside - especially the mechanism that moves the read head.

You may get better advice/help from people in the Meridian forum https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php
The Meridian Systems forum would be the place to post the problem.

When my Meridian G61R SL started misbehaving a few months back a guy on that forum, swpnt aka Steve, talked me through replacing power supply and checking/replacing various capacitors. My G61 has worked fine since :-)

Thanks Pete, just joined it, I'm thinking I'll need a new drive, about £200 now I think , though they used to cost a 10th of that apparently, they're just standard computer drives.

[Kember]

Steve is great, as is the forum sponsor (Mr Tech Guy). Steve’s pricing is keener IIRC.

[AJSki2fly]

G08 is poorly, tracks skipping, won't play, etc. Think I need a replacement something or other.

Hi Mike

I suspect that it will be the grease hardening on the laser mechanism, my Meridian 507 suffered from this issue and I got it sorted by an ex Meridian engineer, Chris Coaster (I looked him up but looks like he has stopped doing repairs). With mine all that was need was to remove the CD tray and mechanism and then carefully clean the old grease and re-grease with that white clear grease for plastic, and it was good as new. Chris got me a OEM Philips replacement laser mechanism in case it was damaged, which I still have.

The G08 one is available https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285902215673?itmmeta=01J05PTKHNP25Y4XH1RGN25QG3&hash=item42911999f9:g:mq8AAOSweW5VC9N1&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4MEdv9cM9bK8ZePREDvsaVRvl8GSe 2LgFFyyHzR5yts8vcwdt5N%2BcAvdDbhCPR2NYL1G8g4WylKhh mar%2B%2BDcirlUj5VqsQpUVPIgtHh9O7DHPMBOmpdwJpl1JlK e9buNJTZsaE%2BTwsNkpz%2FDEdP%2FZQZ7XOVgwUEE50MBO%2 FWrkORUhWVSE7jAGWS9u84lupb0rOwkAXho1ODzQAGN%2BWrKp rNXHjY4ND5LZOEsFMpByCzUsBZQxLYSyd6jd4zqXpqR3hduas5 IQhe6W71L1hCl0V78r6hJ6nV1nTHc1GuSkq96%7Ctkp%3ABFBM 9LjqtoFk

I would talk with MrTechGuy he has got good reviews.

Cheers

Adrian

[Mikeandvan]

Hi Mike

I suspect that it will be the grease hardening on the laser mechanism, my Meridian 507 suffered from this issue and I got it sorted by an ex Meridian engineer, Chris Coaster (I looked him up but looks like he has stopped doing repairs). With mine all that was need was to remove the CD tray and mechanism and then carefully clean the old grease and re-grease with that white clear grease for plastic, and it was good as new. Chris got me a OEM Philips replacement laser mechanism in case it was damaged, which I still have.

The G08 one is available https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285902215673?itmmeta=01J05PTKHNP25Y4XH1RGN25QG3&hash=item42911999f9:g:mq8AAOSweW5VC9N1&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4MEdv9cM9bK8ZePREDvsaVRvl8GSe 2LgFFyyHzR5yts8vcwdt5N%2BcAvdDbhCPR2NYL1G8g4WylKhh mar%2B%2BDcirlUj5VqsQpUVPIgtHh9O7DHPMBOmpdwJpl1JlK e9buNJTZsaE%2BTwsNkpz%2FDEdP%2FZQZ7XOVgwUEE50MBO%2 FWrkORUhWVSE7jAGWS9u84lupb0rOwkAXho1ODzQAGN%2BWrKp rNXHjY4ND5LZOEsFMpByCzUsBZQxLYSyd6jd4zqXpqR3hduas5 IQhe6W71L1hCl0V78r6hJ6nV1nTHc1GuSkq96%7Ctkp%3ABFBM 9LjqtoFk

I would talk with MrTechGuy he has got good reviews.

Cheers

Adrian

Indeed everything seems to point to Mr tech guy! I sent him a contact form just now, I know as soon as I take the player apart I will be lost, diagrams needed!

[losepete]

Hi Mike

If you can hold a screwdriver without stabbing yourself you have a good chance of making this repair yourself - and saving quite a bit of money doing it, Mr Tech Guy is not cheap :-)

Looking at the drive link in your Meridian forum discussion and this image https://www.meridian-audio.info/viewphoto.php?compid=20&photoid=932 showing inside of G08 (I have not seen inside mine - so far) replacing the drive *should* be fairly simple. The steps would be something like this

Disconnect power and interconnects
Put cd player at a good working height eg desk, table, workbench
Select correct torx bit size and remove screws at each corner of glass lid, put lid safely out of way
Remove the 17(?) screws holding the inner lid in place, put inner lid safely out of way
Remove cables clamped to top and side of drive unit, ie unclamp cables
Looking at the image I suspect it will be easier to remove the data and power leads from drive after removing all screws holding it in place

Might be worth inspecting drive to see if it has the hardened grease problem mentioned by Adrian and whether cleaning that fixes the problem before ordering a replacement drive unit - would make for an even less expensive repair :-)

Reassembly would the reverse of above.
Possibly the only extra advice is take care to not over-tighten screws as they will snap easily.

Whatever you decide to do I hope you end up with a working G08 again, they are fairly good cd players.

[Lawrence001]

I suspect that it will be the grease hardening on the laser mechanism, my Meridian 507 suffered from this issue

There was also an issue with cog rot due to dodgy grease in some Philips transports. I replaced the cog in an Arcam Delta 250 transport with that issue.

[Lawrence001]

Reassembly would the reverse of above.


But remember to make sure you have two or three nuts, bolts and/or washers left over and no idea where they went, otherwise you might have to take it all back apart and start again.

[Mikeandvan]

Hi Mike

I suspect that it will be the grease hardening on the laser mechanism, my Meridian 507 suffered from this issue and I got it sorted by an ex Meridian engineer, Chris Coaster (I looked him up but looks like he has stopped doing repairs). With mine all that was need was to remove the CD tray and mechanism and then carefully clean the old grease and re-grease with that white clear grease for plastic, and it was good as new. Chris got me a OEM Philips replacement laser mechanism in case it was damaged, which I still have.

The G08 one is available https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285902215673?itmmeta=01J05PTKHNP25Y4XH1RGN25QG3&hash=item42911999f9:g:mq8AAOSweW5VC9N1&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4MEdv9cM9bK8ZePREDvsaVRvl8GSe 2LgFFyyHzR5yts8vcwdt5N%2BcAvdDbhCPR2NYL1G8g4WylKhh mar%2B%2BDcirlUj5VqsQpUVPIgtHh9O7DHPMBOmpdwJpl1JlK e9buNJTZsaE%2BTwsNkpz%2FDEdP%2FZQZ7XOVgwUEE50MBO%2 FWrkORUhWVSE7jAGWS9u84lupb0rOwkAXho1ODzQAGN%2BWrKp rNXHjY4ND5LZOEsFMpByCzUsBZQxLYSyd6jd4zqXpqR3hduas5 IQhe6W71L1hCl0V78r6hJ6nV1nTHc1GuSkq96%7Ctkp%3ABFBM 9LjqtoFk

I would talk with MrTechGuy he has got good reviews.

Cheers

Adrian

Thanks Adrian, Do you know how I'd find the laser mechanism?

[Mikeandvan]

Hi Mike

If you can hold a screwdriver without stabbing yourself you have a good chance of making this repair yourself - and saving quite a bit of money doing it, Mr Tech Guy is not cheap :-)

Looking at the drive link in your Meridian forum discussion and this image https://www.meridian-audio.info/viewphoto.php?compid=20&photoid=932 showing inside of G08 (I have not seen inside mine - so far) replacing the drive *should* be fairly simple. The steps would be something like this

Disconnect power and interconnects
Put cd player at a good working height eg desk, table, workbench
Select correct torx bit size and remove screws at each corner of glass lid, put lid safely out of way
Remove the 17(?) screws holding the inner lid in place, put inner lid safely out of way
Remove cables clamped to top and side of drive unit, ie unclamp cables
Looking at the image I suspect it will be easier to remove the data and power leads from drive after removing all screws holding it in place

Might be worth inspecting drive to see if it has the hardened grease problem mentioned by Adrian and whether cleaning that fixes the problem before ordering a replacement drive unit - would make for an even less expensive repair :-)

Reassembly would the reverse of above.
Possibly the only extra advice is take care to not over-tighten screws as they will snap easily.

Whatever you decide to do I hope you end up with a working G08 again, they are fairly good cd players.

Thanks Pete,
I'll replace it myself, loads of time on my hands. Here is a pic of the inside, I took lid off today. Guess I'll have to snip those cable ties then replace.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53787217408_0cdbb93c8b_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53787216618_932bd57751_z.jpg

[losepete]

Definitely a couple of new cable ties required ;-)
With the drive unit removed you should be able to take the top off the unit and will spot the laser mechanism straight away.
The bit to try cleaning is the threaded shaft that moves the laser head, the grease hardens in the grooves of the thread.
If that does not work you will need a new drive unit.

Have fun :-)

[Puffin]

Use Isopropyl alcohol to clean the hardened grease off with a small artists paintbrush or similar. Wait till dry an hour or so and use some silicone grease before reassembling. Some use White Lithium grease but some say that as this is petroleum based it can caasue problems with plastic parts.

[AJSki2fly]

Thanks Adrian, Do you know how I'd find the laser mechanism?

Sorry Mile, I missed your post, but see that Pete came to the rescue.

Take your time getting to the laser mechanism, if the grease on the shaft looks slightly hardened then clean it off with isopropyl alcohol as Rob said until all removed. Do not force the laser gear mechanism trying to free them, or damage is likely, once clean apply the grease, you do not need loads, there are several youtube videos showing this being done.

I hope it works, if not just replace the CD laser mech. for £40.

If you have not found it already this is the grease https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404248339171?itmmeta=01J08G7NDK37EAJNKMAQCXA5A9&hash=item5e1f1422e3:g:ihkAAOSwpQ9kPBVL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwFjwfzoxIqvzP9oF3PD%2BuXk4TFQ 7c9y7XDOIQc6ynZq%2Ba1U%2FXPU9IcvaXA9uJ4ktjo66Jjktr lFRNB0Vbw%2B0mY0NWD1NEA3wiUoBv5zuXmD%2FRos2A2OcYY1 caYj%2F37qom8Wzw1J8XCXesAwGPGSh%2Behv4wQRLNj78hGxS dA9MTYC%2Fn4PgyP2ZkobDnrWsJtIisFpycCkh0lnowOiZAAzq jZ6TyCtedZ8wBmAYo640y%2BERhzvtiNAEJRqrezU6q3YJQ%3D %3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_LWnpCCZA

[Macca]

Grease is the word. Is the word that you heard. It's got groove, it's got feeling.

[Mikeandvan]

Sorry Mile, I missed your post, but see that Pete came to the rescue.

Take your time getting to the laser mechanism, if the grease on the shaft looks slightly hardened then clean it off with isopropyl alcohol as Rob said until all removed. Do not force the laser gear mechanism trying to free them, or damage is likely, once clean apply the grease, you do not need loads, there are several youtube videos showing this being done.

I hope it works, if not just replace the CD laser mech. for £40.

If you have not found it already this is the grease https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404248339171?itmmeta=01J08G7NDK37EAJNKMAQCXA5A9&hash=item5e1f1422e3:g:ihkAAOSwpQ9kPBVL&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwFjwfzoxIqvzP9oF3PD%2BuXk4TFQ 7c9y7XDOIQc6ynZq%2Ba1U%2FXPU9IcvaXA9uJ4ktjo66Jjktr lFRNB0Vbw%2B0mY0NWD1NEA3wiUoBv5zuXmD%2FRos2A2OcYY1 caYj%2F37qom8Wzw1J8XCXesAwGPGSh%2Behv4wQRLNj78hGxS dA9MTYC%2Fn4PgyP2ZkobDnrWsJtIisFpycCkh0lnowOiZAAzq jZ6TyCtedZ8wBmAYo640y%2BERhzvtiNAEJRqrezU6q3YJQ%3D %3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_LWnpCCZA

Thanks alot Adrian, just ordered some.

[Alex_UK]

Grease is the word. Is the word that you heard. It's got groove, it's got feeling.

:lol:

Not quite a real pussy wagon, though…

[Mikeandvan]

There was some grease on the rails, not exactly hard, but not soft either. Will clean when the products arrive.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789717544_4c4fb0e306_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53789619798_dc994a5eac_z.jpg

[Mikeandvan]

Oh well that didn't work,what next?

[Lawrence001]

Could be the laser has weakened or as Pete mentioned above some capacitors need replacing. If you don't want to go through a further frustrating trial and error process (you don't strike me as the most patient person so recommend you don't) you're better off sending it to a tech like Mike Pickwell or biting the bullet and selling it as not working.

[AJSki2fly]

Oh well that didn't work,what next?

If it is not too difficult to fit, buy the laser assembly as previously posted and try to out, its only £36 so well worth a try. I would not ditch it, you can always get it looked at.

[Mikeandvan]

I'll see what they say over on meridian forum, if it works on smart phone as my laptop is in fir repair

[Mikeandvan]

Not had a laptop for a month, anyway mr tech guy is a non responder, i don;t mean he's dead, but he could be, typical of the beast I understand. So gonna plump for a new drive on ebay soonish.

[Kember]

Not had a laptop for a month, anyway mr tech guy is a non responder, i don;t mean he's dead, but he could be, typical of the beast I understand. So gonna plump for a new drive on ebay soonish.

As mentioned on page 1 of this thread, the other Meridian repairer of some reputation is Steve Perry down in Woking (www.audiocomm.co.uk). He goes by swpnt on Meridian Unplugged.

I know that he’s alive and responding because I’ve just arranged for him to look at a pair of DSP33s.

[Mikeandvan]

As mentioned on page 1 of this thread, the other Meridian repairer of some reputation is Steve Perry down in Woking (www.audiocomm.co.uk). He goes by swpnt on Meridian Unplugged.

I know that he’s alive and responding because I’ve just arranged for him to look at a pair of DSP33s.

Indeed, and he's very helpful, but he gets his drives from Mr tech guy!

[Kember]

Ah! I see the problem!

[Puffin]

You can check to see if the laser is dead by using the camera on a smart phone, although it seems iPhones have a filter and it may not work.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/burnt-laser-in-cd-optical-pick-up-block/

[Mikeandvan]

You can check to see if the laser is dead by using the camera on a smart phone, although it seems iPhones have a filter and it may not work.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/burnt-laser-in-cd-optical-pick-up-block/

Thanks, I'll check that. I don't have an iphone..

[Kember]

Not had a laptop for a month, anyway mr tech guy is a non responder, i don;t mean he's dead, but he could be, typical of the beast I understand. So gonna plump for a new drive on ebay soonish.

To close this loop, I chanced on MrTechGuy’s website today and it has a pop announcement on it saying that some messages are failing to clear the server and to call a given number instead to notify the firm of the query.

[Mikeandvan]

To close this loop, I chanced on MrTechGuy’s website today and it has a pop announcement on it saying that some messages are failing to clear the server and to call a given number instead to notify the firm of the query.

I've ordered one from Ebay, gonna go off road and do it myself, Mr tech guy is worse than IT than even me it seems!!

[Mikeandvan]

Its arrived, but i have to download some software onto it or summut??

[Macca]

what's arrived now? I sort of lost track of this.

[Mikeandvan]

the replacement drive from ebay

[Macca]

CD drive?

[losepete]

Hi Mike

If I read the posts on https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=314926&page=1 correctly you should not need to do anything but fit the drive unit *if* the drive unit is either a DVS DSL710A or DSL720A.

Also mentioned is that Chinese refurbs often do not work and there is a link to a replacement drive unit which Andy claims to have had success with https://www.ebay.com/itm/155343278584

Hope it all works when fitted :-)


Pete

[Mikeandvan]

CD drive?

yer

[Mikeandvan]

Hi Mike

If I read the posts on https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=314926&page=1 correctly you should not need to do anything but fit the drive unit *if* the drive unit is either a DVS DSL710A or DSL720A.

Also mentioned is that Chinese refurbs often do not work and there is a link to a replacement drive unit which Andy claims to have had success with https://www.ebay.com/itm/155343278584

Hope it all works when fitted :-)


Pete

Refurb? It's supposed to be new. Besides that the techguy who apparently gets reliable drives is ironically very unrealiable himself! As two months of unanserred emails will attest to.

[losepete]

Hi Mike

Sorry, I may have introduced come confusion...

The ebay link https://www.ebay.com/itm/155343278584 has new drive units.

Some of the drive units offered in other ebay listings are refurbs and should be avoided.

Hope that clears things up.

[Mikeandvan]

That guy on the Meridian forum - Steve - has sorted my G08, which I was going to attempt myself until I pulled a cable off, lol. He's done it in like 2 days, should I send him my Suggie too?

[AJSki2fly]

That guy on the Meridian forum - Steve - has sorted my G08, which I was going to attempt myself until I pulled a cable off, lol. He's done it in like 2 days, should I send him my Suggie too?

Great to hear, hope the Suggie works out too.:)

[losepete]

Hi Mike

Glad your G08 is fixed.

I only know Steve as a Meridian specialist but - Why not ask him? It is possible he may be able to suggest someone if he does not feel capable of taking the job on.

[Mikeandvan]

G08 is back and working fine so far, in fact there was this cd that since I got the G08 two yrs ago - second hand of course - it wouldn't play, but it now plays fine. Steve was super quick as well, as was parcel force! I think I'll send him the Suggie, I can't be arsed waiting for Sugden themselves.

[Macca]

Good result.