Replacing laser pick-up

[mjz3348]

I need to replace an Hitachi HOP-1200R laser pick-up. I have not done this before.

Is this a big deal to do - any recommendation on how to proceed appreciated!

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[mdisc]

Hi,

I am doing the same thing right now to my Denon 2900

Check this thread out, there are instructions somewhere on that page for a 3910

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=447795&page=246

I'm trying to find that 1200R. Where did you get it?

 

[mjz3348]

Hi,

I am doing the same thing right now to my Denon 2900

Check this thread out, there are instructions somewhere on that page for a 3910

Denon 3910 Owners Thread - Page 246 - AVS Forum

I'm trying to find that 1200R. Where did you get it?

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[mdisc]

Thanks mjz,

I actually ordered one from Electronix.com before I heard back from you.
It was a 1200S

I put it in my Denon 2900 last night and it worked perfectly!
Very easy to do.

 

[oldngray]

my Denon 2900 is unable to play ordinary CDs... not very useful. Were you having the same problem with your unit before you replaced the laser?

 

[aptsys]

It's quite rare that the lasers actually fail. Does the disc stop spinning after a few seconds of being put in the tray?

 

[stephensank]

With the horrible Hitachi HOP1200 lasers used in the Denon & other players, it is NOT AT ALL uncommon for the laser to fail. They are the LEAST RELIABLE lasers ever made. The #1 cause of problems in units that use it is that laser, and is pretty darn sure to be the fualt in this 2900.

 

[aptsys]

Have you actually confirmed that the lasers stop emitting IR light? I've only come across a small handful of these that couldn't be fixed by either cleaning the lens/underneath the lens or muck built up on the guide rails or focussing servo

 

[stephensank]

These lasers don't stop emitting, rather, they stop receiving, as the photodiode arrays go bad. In EVERY single HOP1200 replacement I have done, the bad laser has not even been in service long enough to get significantly dirty or it's mech gunked up. They are THAT prone to failure. It is pathetic, and inexcusable that Denon, Rotel & others kept using these pieces of junk so long after the terrible reliability was well known.