HIFIDIY CD Transport Kit

[rabbitz]

Originally posted by anatech
Hi rabbitz,
I take it you've seen these as well?

-Chris

Only what my techo buddies who service these things tell me. I only play with the Sony units such as the KSS-240A as I can work with those. I've never had to touch a KSS-213 as I've never had a failure.

I do really like the KSS-270A in the CDP-X55ES as it's been the best performer I've had with amazing tracking ability. The problem is I can't find any spares for the future.

[anatech]

Hi rabbitz,

I do really like the KSS-270A in the CDP-X55ES as it's been the best performer I've had with amazing tracking ability.

I don't think I've ever seen one. Is that the one in the high end Sony ES with the die cast transport and the feed motor that fails (or gears)? The one I'm thinking of is a DVD / CD unit.

-Chris

[rabbitz]

It's an older ES CD player from around 1991. No gears etc as it's linear motor tracking. A thing of beauty to watch in action.... so smooth, so quick.

Searched for over 10 years to find a good CDP-X55ES.

The pic is in a different model but basically the same.

[kevinkr]

I had a PS Audio Lambda Drive with the original cdm-pro mechanism, and while it was very nicely made compared to the later stuff, it did not last very long relative to the number of hours used. (<1000 hrs) Worse I was unable to get non-suspect parts to fix it, (bought a supposedly new pick up assembly from a fellow in Germany and it must have been bad, cost like $150) and finally gave up and sold it. I am very soured on Philips in general as a result. Good spare parts for this or any Philips mechanism seem almost impossible to find.

I gave a 15yr old Sony to a friend a couple of years ago, cost less than 10% of what the Lambda cost when I bought it new, AND it is still working just fine with the original mechanism (and laser)

[anatech]

Hi Kevin,
Two reasons I hate Philips are :

1. A complete lack of support and
2. Useless to try and service, replace entire mech. Never linear types can be fixed but the quality is very poor.

Hi rabbitz,
That is one of the better mechanisms for sure! It's a newer head than I was familiar with, but the same concept. Very fast and silent. I wouldn't mind rebuilding one of those for experimenting and another for the bedroom.

-Chris

[kevinkr]

Hi Chris,
I was trying to be diplomatic, what I actually think of Philips and their entirely fiscally oriented support policy is basically unprintable.. I think we are in total agreement on this issue.

What comes to mind is:

Appalling, unconscionable, unforgivable, intolerable, and unfathomable. How could any company produce a device marketed for and used in so many stratospherically expensive products and provide no spare parts, no support, and no viable replacement during what would be considered the normal product life cycle of these products??? (Particularly given that they must have known that the pick up assemblies in their cd mechanisms wear out much more quickly than the units they will be used in? I am sure these things went through life testing. )

No high end audio designer should ever incorporate one of these shoddy Philips mechanisms (By definition any current Philips mech) into a design intended to last a decade or so. Acceptable perhaps in a player that cost $100 or less, but not one that cost over $2000 new... I was absolutely devastated when my Lambda Drive quit on me..

[anatech]

Hi Kevin,
We are on the same wavelength. Sorry about your discovery.

It's totally amazing that companies that what so much $$$ for their product are surprised when their customers want it fixed. Philips had a long track record of this behavior, so no surprises here for anyone.

-Chris

[awpagan]

anatech

Welcome to the disposeable world.
Companies don't want you to fix anything, they want you to buy new..

Interesting about the Philips cdm's.
Have you tested or delt with the CD PROLF ?
http://www.enco-group.com/products.htm

allan

[rabbitz]

Originally posted by anatech
Hi rabbitz,
That is one of the better mechanisms for sure! It's a newer head than I was familiar with, but the same concept. Very fast and silent. I wouldn't mind rebuilding one of those for experimenting and another for the bedroom.

-Chris

It's a shame I can't find any spare lasers. The laser had been changed just prior to my purchase of the player so should last a long time.

Most of my players are KSS-240A based so no sourcing problems. My original CDP-990 from 1991 still has the original laser and still going strong after continual use in that period. I think that was a golden era for CD players before the bean counters stepped in. All my more recent players either didn't last long or of poor build quality.

[anatech]

Hi Allan,
That is a change from normal. I suspect that the jukebox manufacturer's have a maintenance contract on their stuff for the end user and they got together for a very compelling case for Philips.

We all know that Philips do not support their product, these guys bent their arm behind their back. Good for them!

Hi rabbitz,

All my more recent players either didn't last long or of poor build quality.

Yes, I watched the quality plummet over the years. It got to a point where I didn't enjoy working on them anymore.

-Chris