Adcom GCD-750 Traverse Deck Replacement?

[GCD750]

Hello all,
I have an Adcom GCD-750 CD player, for around 5 years. After moving, the unit started back skipping and front skipping a bit. I took it to an authorized service center that said the "servo assembly" needed to be replaced, for $285.00 just for the part, then they told me that they would not get the part fast enough, because the shop owner was retiring, and closing for good at the end of the month. I paid my 25 dollar deposit and got the unit back.

I called up Adcom about this, and they gave me the part number for it. A "traverse deck" made by Panasonic for $285.00. I quickly searched the internet, and found this piece brand-new from a wholesale parts warehouse for $50.00.

My question is:

Is it a really hard job to do this myself? I have some technical knowledge, but never worked with lasers before, and do not know if this needs to be aligned, or adjusted after installation. I paid nearly $1300.00 for this unit, and love it to death. Would there be any other "smarter" way to go about getting this fixed without paying out the ying-yang?

Any help would be appreciate, Hence my username for my first post

[anatech]

Hi GCD750,
Welcome to DiyAudio!

I would buy the manual right from Adcom if I were you. If I could find it somewhere, I would have loved to have grabbed it. That's one question answered.

Normally you can't simply replace the mechanism. There may be some adjustments involved. If you have a link, can you post it? I can give you much more intelligent information then.

As far as mechanisms go, historically Matsushita is very good. Better than the Philips stuff normally is. So this is probably a good thing.

I used to run a service center where we were authorized warranty for Adcom. This one came out after I sold my shop, but I'll bet it sounds very good. Certainly worth fixing properly.

-Chris

[GCD750]

Thanks so much! I'll post a picture of the part, if that will help.

Thanks,
Marc : )

[GCD750]

Here's the unit posted on a parts website...

[oshifis]

Replacement laser units are pre-aligned and they don't need to be adjusted. IMHO $50 is a very good price for the mechanism incl. the laser. I have done such replacement, it is an easy job. There is a solder bridge on the flex cable to protect the laser, it has to be removed after the flex cable is connected.

[anatech]

Hi GCD750,
That looks like it's straight forward to replace. You may need to do some adjustments (without the manual it's hard to tell). Work carefully and take pictures as you go. Do not over tighten the screws as you put it back together.

Occasionally, assemblies like this may have a different flexible cable.

Hi oshifis,

Replacement laser units are pre-aligned and they don't need to be adjusted.

I'm sorry, but that is often untrue.

The better CD players have some adjustments that need to be done. Some are servo controlled where we used to make adjustments. Keep in mind that a good technician can adjust closer than a servo can.

Also, keep in mind that you can sometimes get by without adjusting for a new mech. The problem is that the digital errors will be greater (lower sound quality) than if things were properly set up.

-Chris

[GCD750]

One of the guys in Tech support at Adcom couldn't send me a service manual. He sent a schematic, though. He said the laser is pre-aligned(hope he knows what he's talking about).

[anatech]

Hi GCD750,
Sometimes the laser heads are adjusted to a standard at the factory. The value of a good technician would be to either fine tune (if possible) or confirm that the head is in fact working properly. Like an incoming quality inspection if you will. We do this using test equipment and test CD's.

Keep in mind that I have had to reject a few CD heads and transports over the years. They aren't all good out of the box, or they may have just passable performance. As a service person, it's up to me to guarantee that you get the job you deserve and paid for.

If they emailed you the schematic, may I have a look at it please?

-Chris

[GCD750]

Hi, and thanks for your input. The schematics they sent me were for the electronics, and nothing for the transport itself, it seems. There's like 6 different breakdowns fot the CPU and amp sections. I'm wondering why they had bothered. I would have expected at least an exploded parts view or something...

[GCD750]

Just got the part in the mail.

To my suprise, it's just the optical pickup itself, with a small ribbon cable, with no motor or deck mechanism. It says DVD video on the box, which is about 3x2 inches. Something is wrong here.

It has part number RAE0113Z which is supposed to be a traverse deck. Any thoughts?