Is Meridian dead as a product company?

You're welcome. I do think the sound quality of my Meridian G68 is perhaps a tad better in two channel mode than my Marantz. Dialogue is  a bit easier to hear too. But the Marantz and other current offerings have the most recent codecs and seemless hdmi video and audio switching built in, whereas with Meridian you have to buy a separate HD621 unit which, if you buy used, adds hundreds of dollars to the cost.

A few years ago I was 100% Meridian. 861 processor, 800dvd, 8000 speakers, 5500 speakers and more. I found the set up was so cack-handed and unreliable it was to expensive to keep calling someone  in to make simple changes. Eventually I am now minimal Meridian - just 800dvd (still great) and a recent amp purchase g57 as rear amp. Their amps are good in spite of age. 
The dealer situation is just crazy - Meridian went the lifestyle route for big spenders after they got taken over. I used to be able to call the company and have a chat about products and issues, but they stopped that. The old regime even came to my house to help an installation of 8000 speakers. You wouldn't get that now. My local dealer also got frustrated with their flaky products and gave up. 
Hitchhikers support group became locked into Meridian (kickbacks I reckon) and eventually banned me after I mentioned a series of defects and problems. (You can't criticise Meridian!!). I now have Bryston  and DCS stuff - easy as pie.

I used to own the Meridian 508.20 CD player and loved it.  

I pretty much never hear about Meridian now, except in regard to...you-know-what....

There dead throw dirt on them asap!!

I have a Meridian 518 DSP excellent condition in if anyone wants it.