2. digital
  3. 180916-10204

New transport or repair CD player

I have a 508.20 series Meridian CD player being used as a transport which has trouble reading CDs ("NO DISC" message) that it had no problem with in the past. I suspect the laser is dying.  The Meridian is a very well made player but to my ears sounds better being used as a transport into my external DAC.  The repair center in Georgia wants $500 to replace the laser mechanism.  A new transport such as the well regarded Audiolab 6000T is $600.  Seems to me it is worth getting the Audiolab or something similar rather than fixing the Meridian but not sure how they would compare sonically.  Plus, due to its age the drawer mechanism on the Meridian might become problematic in the not too distant future.  I need to keep it under $1000 otherwise I'd spring for one of the better transports such as Jays for example.  I suppose I could buy a new transport and if the sound isn't as good as the Meridian I could return it.  What would you do?

jc4659

Showing 1 response by tweak1

tweak1
3,563 posts
 

I had a modified Pioneer PD 65 for years. The laser gave out, but Pioneer no longer stocks parts. I replaced it with a CDT 6000 (that I picked up slightly used for $375, including shipping!), it’s terrific IF you use a top notch coax, power cord, isolation/vib feet: I buy my cables from Ali-Express DIY HiFI- Odin Gold (see the Counterfeit Chinese Cables thread in AG forums. The top cover needs some dampening, too, BUT, you might check out the Pro-Ject DS2 PLAYER, which has coax outs (MSRP $800), so you can use it as a transport

Oh, and FYI, you can usually pick up a used 6000 for < $400, likely because the owner is using lessor cables

hth

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