Cambridge Audio CD34

[PlasticIsGood]

I'm looking for a remote for a Cambridge Audio CD34

I thought it would be as for Philips (RC5) but it isn't, nor Sony nor Sharp. Tried a universal but got impossibly mixed-up functions on the only setting that got a response.

Any ideas?

Since the only information anywhere about this player is false, here are a few facts. Tiny main board is all SMD and dominated by huge video chip. I guess CD video didn't really happen much, and there was a lot of surplus boards to be found in skips.

Mech: VAM1202/12
DAC: SAA7327 CD video processor with bitstream DAC
CL8830 video/audio processor with MP2 decoder
headphone amp: TDA1308
can't find audio stage...need microscope maybe.

Sound is stark.
Facia plastic is delicious
All other plastic is Sino-functionalist, like my Maplin toaster

[Puffin]

Have you tried Cambridge support?

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/support.php

[tiefbassuebertr]

the most important unit to determine the right RC is the operating processor (micro controller unit = MCU, often include display driver). Mostly located on the front PCB.
In case of a custom made version you need a genuine RC from Cambridge Audio. Otherwise there is to find out other cd player brands used same MCU.

What means "Sound is stark" ?? -
this term I have often heard, but only in the geman language, but never heard before in the english language.

[PlasticIsGood]

Originally Posted by Puffin

Have you tried Cambridge support?

Customer support

Yes, thanks. Just got a reply. They suggest I buy a new remote from the dealer (it was a Richer Sounds budget special), but added "it is likely to use NEC rather than RC5 code".

So now I just need to know what other CD players use NEC code.

[Puffin]

I have three Cambridge RC's, one for a CD6, one for a Discmagic transport and one for a 640Cv2. I don't know what codes these are, but if any are NEC then I could send it to you. If you have a learning remote you can rip the functions.

EDIT: Looks like the 640C is NEC

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets...ntrolCodes.pdf

[PlasticIsGood]

Originally Posted by Puffin

Have you tried Cambridge support?

Customer support

Yes, thanks. Just got a reply. They suggest I buy a new remote from the dealer (it was a Richer Sounds budget special), but added "it is likely to use NEC rather than RC5 code".

So now I just need to know what other CD players use NEC code.

[Puffin]

See post 5

[PlasticIsGood]

Originally Posted by tiefbassuebertr

the most important unit to determine the right RC is the operating processor (micro controller unit = MCU, often include display driver). Mostly located on the front PCB.

Display driver is HT16512, which only has keyboard and microcontroller i/o. The only non-dedicated chip is an Atmel micro on the main board. As you can see I've found the protocol is probably NEC, but if it's inherited from a board with video functions it may not be the usual CD code I suppose.

What means "Sound is stark" ?? -
this term I have often heard, but only in the geman language, but never heard before in the english language.

Its supposed to be an adjective, but it seemed apt on its own. Oddly, I imagined it with a German accent rather than my native Teesside.

I've never made much sense of the language of audio reviews. Looking at a dictionary, I mean what is common to all definitions...naked, sharply delineated, bare, desolate, almost cruel. Intense cold light maybe, like a high-security prison on a winter night.

Listening via the headphone amp, it has a merciless affinity for incidental performance noise. It may measure well but all of its low-level impediments are on the harsh side, I guess, and not mitigated by warmer colours. It's more aggressively in-your-face than it would be with the usual opamp and series resistor.

[tiefbassuebertr]

The Holtek HT16512 is a pure VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) controller
http://www.holtek.com.tw/pdf/consumer/ht16512v160.pdf
The RC of CD6 (identical to CD4 and DiscMagic/CDT) is based to Sony. The associated MCU is follow type: CXP1011Q from Sony (MCU include LCD display driver). This is an universal MCU for cd player, used by a wide range of models and brands (e. g. NAD502)
Datasheet not to find online, but that one from the successor:
CXP1021Q datasheet pdf datenblatt - Sony Corporation - System Controller for Compact Disc Players ::: ALLDATASHEET :::

Concerning NEC Codes I have found this:
http://www.vishay.com/docs/80071/dataform.pdf
http://www.mikrocontroller.net/attac...plomarbeit.pdf (page 14)

Perhaps a cd player RC like follow helps:
http://www.hifiengine.com/gallery/im...d-player.shtml
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120493270865...865%26_rdc%3D1

[PlasticIsGood]

Originally Posted by Puffin

I have three Cambridge RC's, one for a CD6, one for a Discmagic transport and one for a 640Cv2. I don't know what codes these are, but if any are NEC then I could send it to you. If you have a learning remote you can rip the functions.

EDIT: Looks like the 640C is NEC

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets...ntrolCodes.pdf

Thanks. Unfortunately neither I nor the neighbour who owns the player has a learning remote. Mine's pre-programmed and turns out to be lacking CD-specific codes.

I've fixed the original problem of a jammed on/off switch, but now the mute circuit has become very noisy and the tiny transformer hums. I'm looking for an exit before this turns into an epic saga.

I wonder if this is representative of Cambridge quality: