Philips CD960 - no analog output

[eleakist]

I picked up a "non-repairable" CD960, as possible spares for my McIntosh CD7000 transport. Seems the former owner did not want to invest the $50 to $100 quoted for repair, so just walked away from it. Since reading this group over the last few days, I decided to blow off the dust to see what the issues really were. Turns out the transport works fine, but there is no analog output. Both digital outputs were tested, with an AudioAlchemy ddeV1.0 and an ArtAudio DI/O, all with good results. As either of these external D/A do the job, my questions are:

Is the analog stage of such quality that the repair will be worth the effort?
Do you have any leads to a remote? It did not come in with the player and the former owner can't find it.

[Elso Kwak]

Check power-supply of analog stage, as both channels are dead.

[anatech]

Hi eleakist,
Many of the electrolytic caps might be bad. I have seen this as a fault for no audio in both channels where the coupling caps were open (and many others too).

-Chris

[Elso Kwak]

YES, Chris after all those years true!

[eleakist]

Thank you, for your thoughtful responses. I will check both p/s and caps next weekend, and will then post my findings.

[Hattori Hanzo]

Is the analog stage of such quality that the repair will be worth the effort?

The analog stage is nothing to write home about. But I guess it will be quite easy to find and fix the problem. First check the fuse. Otherwise you just need a schematic of the power supply and a voltmeter.

Do you have any leads to a remote? It did not come in with the player and the former owner can't find it.

Any Philips derivative (e.g. Marantz) should work.

[Elso Kwak]

I may have a remote for a CD480
Will porobably work

[eleakist]

Thank you, Elso, for the offer of a remote. I found a NOS Philips IR remote on eBay.co.uk and find that it works very well. There is no remote model number, but I gambled on the fact that the buttons have the same id as those on the CD player (e.g. STOP CM). I have not repaired the analog stage as find the sound thru a AudioAlchemy ddeV1.0 external converter to be exceptional.

This system is now in play for a few weeks (+/- 100hours). The midrange is better than the DVD replay on my Yamaha DVDS2300 all formats player, and on par with my Yamaha CDX1060. Although each player is quite different in their presentation of the same materiel, the Philips / AudioAlchemy offers something superior in the highs. Bottom end seems about on par with both CD players offering good bass, especially on stringed instruments. I appreciate all the time taken and expertise offered my members in support of this endeavour. My next step is to A/B the Yamaha CDX1060 and Philips CD960, each using an AudioAlchemy and same interconnects. I need now to match the AA powersupplies to ensure a valid comparison

My highest regards,

Barry

Philips CD system:
CD960 - digital only
HK Citation II preamp
Electrohome PA100 mono blocks
Tannoy Mallorcan 12" Monitor Golds
all interconnects and speaker wire are Kimber (Tonik & 4TC)
D/A interconnect are Wireworld Ultraviolet and Kimber glass.

[bolly]

nice amps!

nice speakers too!!

[Bfpca]

Hello All

This is my first post here. I have a service manual for the cd960 if you are interested. The analog stage uses NE5534 op amps and Cerafine Caps in the output as I remember it. I scrapped my 960 a long time ago but still have most of the bits arround. I may have the remote. If you have no analog out I would check the analog Power Supply which uses discrete regulators. Also the muting relay may be the culprit.
If you want schematics or parts etc. let me know. I am in Nova Scotia, Canada