Fixed my Sony CDP-X559ES (KSS272A pickup)

[Groundloops]

I have a nice Sony CDP-X559ES on shelf for years since it stopped reading more than the first 5 - 10 tracks on any disc. I always thought that behavior was due to worn out laser diode on the unobtainable KSS272A unit. Today I opened it again and examined the CD clamping mechanism. Mounted on the motor spindle is a metal disc forming the lower CD clamp part, the hight of it is adjusted by a vertical spring and fixed with a tiny horizontal set screw in the disk sleeve. I just loosened the set screw, lowered the clamp disc a bit and tightened the srew again. Now any CD is read flawlessly, I can hardly believe ... Seems it was an focusing issue.

Maybe you find this helpful and possibly it helps fixing other CD players using the KSS272A like CDP-777ES, CDP-555ES, CDP-333ES, CDP-X779ES CDP-X339ES, CDP-777ESJ, CDP-555ESJ, CDP-333ESJ, CDP-X707ES CDP-X303ES and CDP-X33ES.

[tubeboob]

I had a similar issue with my X339ES unit not reading CD's and saying "NO DISC", and I also thought it was a Laser issue.

I only had to lube the slide rails for the laser mechanism, and the unit works like a dream once again.

Lets not always blame the laser unit.

[rabbitz]

Could you be kind enough to post a larger image as I can't see the detail. Thanks.

[Cableguy]

Hello Tubeboob I'm new here, may I ask what lubricant you used for the slide rails please? it's for a Sony CDP-3100 After 5 minutes warm-up it works perfectly but at the beginning it has always problems, no disk or it just stop working. It is not the laser I think.

Many Thanks!

[tubeboob]

Sorry so long to respond.

I used a teflon based electronic oil that I picked up in an electronics supply store, about $5.00 or $6.00.

I will look for the name when I get home and advise later.

The Lasers on these units are quite robust, and they get a bad rap from techs who immediately point to the laser when anything goes wrong.

Cheers

[tiefbassuebertr]

Originally Posted by tubeboob

Sorry so long to respond.

I used a teflon based electronic oil that I picked up in an electronics supply store, about $5.00 or $6.00.
I will look for the name when I get home and advise later.
The Lasers on these units are quite robust, and they get a bad rap from techs who immediately point to the laser when anything goes wrong. Cheers

This I cannot confirm. Sony's KSS-Series are those with the lowest reliability and the shortest life expectancy of all existing laser units for PCM compact disc players; the proof is simple: all the old laser units from Pioneer, JVC Optima Series, Sanyo, Hitachi, Olympus, and some others are all still available; because they are very rarely needed (in this case your estimate in the last sentence is correct).
Only those (already long time) from Sony's KSS-series for the "ESPRIT" line no longer getting.
I wonder why else ??

check out in this case follow threads:

Laser Diode Successor of SLD-104U for SONY ESPRIT KSS Series
All Diyaudio Threads about not available Optical Pickup's from Sony's KSS-Series
Databook about SONY's KSS optical pick up series
Sony CD player optical pickups
Sony CD head repairs !!!
Full Range of Sony CD Laser Pick Ups (with photos)
KSS151A KSS-151A 10 x New!!!!!
Hard to find : Laser pick-up KSS 272 A
Sony CD - Laser replacement/Availability
new Optical pickup and spare parts arrive
Is there life after (laser) death for great vintage CD players?

Laser pickup adjustment on Accuphase CD player
Accuphase DP65/Sony - KSS 272A laser head
Accuphase DP-90 laser head
Sony BU-1E Laser??????????
Schematic wanted for SONY's CDP-553ESD RF Amp inside in BU-1C

It may be possible to use a KSS240A in a CDPX55ES instead of a KSS270A
Sony CD - Laser replacement/Availability (CDP-X555ES)
Sony CDP 777 failure
Sony X5000 troubleshooting
Sony x707ES Laser Bad
WANTED : Laser pick-up KSS 272 A
Sony CDP-X779ES
Sony CDP-X707ES DIY...
WTB: New Sony KHM-230AAA & KSS-272A
WTB: Sony KSS 272A laser
KSS272A working or not
CDP-X333es / KSS-271a - Tracking / Offset Probs
CDP333ES skips
Sony optical pick-up KSS 273 A
Sony CDP-X777ES
Heavyweight Sony laser/loader
laser mechanism for Sony EX7ESD
Need Help ! (CDP-XA50)

[bebo60]

Around the KSS272a many things are said, but at the end can it be fixed or not ? new diod, clening, I have a CDPx 505es stuck for this problem, after opening it to check inside it worked for a week, no problem at all, after stay 3 weeks off I got the same problem, it always read the TOC then it strats and it does not, and when the electronic get warmer it does!!

[tubeboob]

The simple fact is that if the player gets stuck after a few weeks, it is likely a lubrication problem.

When I cleaned and lubed the rails, it took a few weeks for the lube to work itself over the rails uniformly so that the mechanism could work properly.

I would suggest cleaning the rails and lubing them once again. It is important to remove all the old dried up gunk of what used to be lube 19 to 20 years ago.

Have a try, you've got nothing to lose.

Cheers

[bebo60]

the bridge where the optical lens is fited moves on a magnetic rail field... when the machine is off it moves up and down just with a breath of air!!!

Originally Posted by tubeboob

The simple fact is that if the player gets stuck after a few weeks, it is likely a lubrication problem.

When I cleaned and lubed the rails, it took a few weeks for the lube to work itself over the rails uniformly so that the mechanism could work properly.

I would suggest cleaning the rails and lubing them once again. It is important to remove all the old dried up gunk of what used to be lube 19 to 20 years ago.

Have a try, you've got nothing to lose.

Cheers