Meridian 508.24...sound compared to newer players

“Does anyone have experience with replacing the belt to share with me?”

Remove the bottom screws (all torx) on each side (6); remove the screws on the rear sides (4); and remove the rear top plastic cover (push in 3 clips) it will pop off, this will reveal (2) more screws. Once all those screws are removed, the entire top casing slides off if you pull/push it towards the rear.
By hand, gently pull the transport out to the eject/open position. You will see the belt where the transport resides on the right side towards the front.
You can order one here: https://www.meridianlegacy.co.uk/product-category/meridian-500-series-parts/

Being over 20yrs old now, it’s highly recommended to take apart the pick-up assembly and remove all the old grease and replace it with new.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/195557-meridian-508-20-transport.html
After this service you will find the player plays and accesses chapters much quicker, without the usual “Loading....” message displayed.

I still own a 508.24. Mainly used as a transport + Genesis Digital Lens + DAC -with wonderful results.

With advances in PC audio and streaming, there’s no need to buy a newer CD player IMHO.

Being that the Meridian 508.24 was one of the best in its days the $5k Hegel Mohican may be the contemporary replacement.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/hegel-mohican-cd-player/

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1033-hegel-music-systems-mohican-cd-playe...

http://hifiknights.com/reviews/sources/hegel-mohican-cd-player/

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hegel-music-systems-mohican-cd-player/

I can't believe this thread has been going for 13 years. Anyway... I have a Meridian 508.20 that I bought new in 1996/97. Yes it is nearly a quarter century old. I replaced the laser once about 12 or so years ago and the tech at the time told me I would never get another one, it took him nearly 12 months at that time to find the parts (I am in NZ). So now it is finally dying and I have no idea what to replace it with, as it is (was) such a great sounding relaxed player. I remember when I bought it, I listened to it beside a Marantz KI player (can't remember the spec) and the Meridian was just so much easier to listen to. So I am hesitant about buying the current Marantz 6007 player that everyone seems to rave about. Am thinking of a Naim CD5si. So to again pose the thread author's original question (13 years later), how good are the latest players in comparison?

If you have a DAC that you like, I strongly recommend the Pro-Ject RS2 CD transport at just under 3k. I’ve had several different players, including Meridian and Oppo, and prefer it by a mile.  But it’s a transport, not a player, so may not be what you need.  There is a separate thread extolling it’s virtues.  Happy hunting.