NAD CD C541 display is fading

hreiff · 6th November 2006, 06:28 AM

I have a C541 cd player, where the display is fading - ie. it is difficult to see track and time - except from that it is working fine.

Any ideas what to look for, or does anybody have a service manual with diagrams ?

No potentiometers to see on the board.

docfin · 8th November 2006, 10:00 AM

Service manual for NAD C541 available here: http://service-manuals.webs.io/

Finnegann · 9th November 2006, 09:24 AM

I have the same problem with 2,5 years old 541i. I think it's a fault of the display itself.

es44 · 9th November 2006, 09:54 AM

In some of Nad's displays are tiny light bulbs, which i have succesfully replaced with hi brightness led's. (remember to use a series resistor).
In other of their displays there's a thin piece of plastic with "built-in" light, i don't know the name of it

.

Servicemanuals of both c541 and c541i can be found for free here:
Manuals
Good luck
Ebbe

tubenut · 9th November 2006, 01:45 PM

LEd replacement can work but tends to cause hot spots, ie areas of the display that are brigheter unless you use a very bright LED pointing away from the display perhaps and only use reflected light.....

Though replacing the bulb seems trivial, you do need to almost strip the complete machine. Stupid design imo. I understand LCD being lower noise to fluor type but the bulb should be easier to replace.....

es44 · 9th November 2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tubenut
LEd replacement can work but tends to cause hot spots, ie areas of the display that are brigheter unless you use a very bright LED pointing away from the display perhaps and only use reflected light.....

I've had no problems of this kind. I always sand the Led, so the light is more diffuse, and at the same time taking care of not pointing the tip right towards the display.
13.000 mcd Led's works really nice

Best regards
Ebbe

hreiff · 10th November 2006, 08:32 AM

The 541 have a VFD (Vacuum Flourescent Display) - No bulbs.

It seems to be to power supply - Voltage is too low.
I am working on it at the moment.

hreiff · 13th November 2006, 08:38 AM

Found the error.

NAD are using a voltage doubler at the power supply for the display - which means if (when) the capacitors lack capacity, the voltage drops to half the value - ie. the display is fading.

I changed the two 100 uF capacitors (C560+C561), and the problem was solved.

es44 · 13th November 2006, 10:00 AM

Great to hear some feed-back, so others with the same problem has a chance to narrow down the fault searching

Mange hilsner

Ebbe

6th November 2006, 06:28 AM	#1
hreiff diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	NAD CD C541 display is fading I have a C541 cd player, where the display is fading - ie. it is difficult to see track and time - except from that it is working fine. Any ideas what to look for, or does anybody have a service manual with diagrams ? No potentiometers to see on the board.

9th November 2006, 01:45 PM	#5
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	LEd replacement can work but tends to cause hot spots, ie areas of the display that are brigheter unless you use a very bright LED pointing away from the display perhaps and only use reflected light..... Though replacing the bulb seems trivial, you do need to almost strip the complete machine. Stupid design imo. I understand LCD being lower noise to fluor type but the bulb should be easier to replace..... __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
NAD 314 problem (fading channels)	Juko	Solid State	21	15th August 2011 09:05 AM
NAD C541 Laser Repair	okkyn	Digital Source	2	9th April 2010 12:29 AM
What to do with a NAD C541?	Unkan	Digital Source	5	5th March 2009 11:58 PM
NAD C541 won't read full disk	okkyn	Digital Source	2	21st November 2008 06:24 AM
guitar pickup fading	ThSpeakerDude88	Instruments and Amps	4	31st January 2006 06:15 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

8th November 2006, 10:00 AM	#2
docfin Account Disabled Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: under the bridge	Service manual for NAD C541 available here: http://service-manuals.webs.io/

9th November 2006, 09:24 AM	#3
Finnegann diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2005	I have the same problem with 2,5 years old 541i. I think it's a fault of the display itself.

9th November 2006, 09:54 AM	#4
es44 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fredericia, DK	In some of Nad's displays are tiny light bulbs, which i have succesfully replaced with hi brightness led's. (remember to use a series resistor). In other of their displays there's a thin piece of plastic with "built-in" light, i don't know the name of it . Servicemanuals of both c541 and c541i can be found for free here: Manuals Good luck Ebbe

10th November 2006, 08:32 AM	#7
hreiff diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	The 541 have a VFD (Vacuum Flourescent Display) - No bulbs. It seems to be to power supply - Voltage is too low. I am working on it at the moment.

13th November 2006, 08:38 AM	#8
hreiff diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	Found the error. NAD are using a voltage doubler at the power supply for the display - which means if (when) the capacitors lack capacity, the voltage drops to half the value - ie. the display is fading. I changed the two 100 uF capacitors (C560+C561), and the problem was solved.

13th November 2006, 10:00 AM	#9
es44 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fredericia, DK	Great to hear some feed-back, so others with the same problem has a chance to narrow down the fault searching Mange hilsner Ebbe

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)