Arcam alpha 7 CD - replaced laser but still skipping..

[Greenderek]

HI
After reading this excellent forum I ordered a replacement for my KSS-240A (it was a compatible NKS-240A as could not find a KSS). Its fitted and things seem *slightly* better but the damn thing still skips at the start of CDs. I guess it could be a motor issue, but does that explain why it usually only happnens at start of discs??

Anyway, lets assume it is the motor! Where can I get a new/used transport as my local Arcam dealer doesn't seem interested in repairing it and much rather I spent £900 on a new Arcam CD!!

 

[stephensank]

Go to dalbani.com & search "KHM2401AA" and see if that looks like the right sled/platter motor set. If it is, it's darn cheap. It certainly sounds like your platter motor is the problem, with very little doubt.

 

[MJW]

Arcam 7

Hi Derek, sad to here of the problems. Below is a source for your actual lazer mech, although It may be a possible servo problem not the mech.
If you try to replace again with kss-240 give the whole of the rail assembly a clean down with alchohol and add the finest of dabs of atf oil or a fine machine oil.
You may want to consider buying another machine like yours on e-bay. It will assist you no end in tracing faults if you have a machine in working order as a reference. You can swap and change to pin down the problem. You then have a source of spares for the future etc. It's cheaper than buying a new player for £900 that you may not like as much anyway.
An arcam Delta 70.2 is better than a new arcam, especially with a few simple mods.
Here are the links:

kss-240

http://www.ersatzteil.justone-schnepel.de/html/sony_kss240a_kss_240a.html

e-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARCAM-ALPHA-7...oryZ3272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARCAM-ALPHA-7...oryZ3272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Hope this helps. I'd just buy another if you like it.

 

[Greenderek]

Hi thanks for swift responses to my query!

I'm not too hot on electronics so limited to swapping parts mostly so the idea of getting an Ebay item is a good one. I'll check what work is required to swap out the motor as thats pretty much as far as I can go without swapping the whole tray/mech.

On that subject can anyone advise on where I start looking for one a new tray/mech (and approx price i should pay) if my Ebay search doesn't come up with anything?

For info my problem is very similar to this NAD issue
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=112485

Cheers
Derek

 

[mickie]

hi,
maybe the flex-cable between laser and drive is "worn out"? I'd try to replace that first, if you can get one...a faulty connection between laser and drive-board may also cause skipping.
Is the motor/drive heavily vibrating while playing? I've had this in my Rega Planet once, due to defective motors i assume.
Cheers,
mickie

 

[Greenderek]

MUCH BETTER!

Ok today I have taken the mech out and as suggested popped a spot of lube (some excellent ZX1) in the motor, arm, etc.

It seems to have improved things even more. Its not 100% but is OK 90% of the time which is a BIG improvement.

Now here's an odd thing - not wanting to stry too far off topic - It sounds more.. well.. bright and deep. Sort off like the mid-range has reduced if that makes sense? Could that be my old laser v the new one. I assume its all digital to the motherboard so am confused by the fact it doesn't seem to sound the same as I've only touched the digital bits in the cd mech!

All suggestions welcome as to why!

Finally a BIG THANK YOU to all who have helped me get this far!

 

[Andy5112405]

In the early days of Philips CD mechanisms the ribbon cable between the transport and the laser assembly would become "work hardened". This was almost impossible to detect but the stiffening was sufficient to cause the juddering and skipping that you are decribing. I would replace the ribbon cable.