Marantz CD94 finally packed in

[culpano]

Hi everyone,

I'm new on here and hoping someone can help me.

I've owned a Marantz CD94 transport for 17 years and it has finally given up on me. The disk tray makes clicking noises when inserted and then after a few seconds ejects again. I've tried to get the unit repaired through a Marantz service centre but they have told me they cannot get parts for it. I have emailed Marantz themselves but have yet not got a response.

There's no way I want to part with the Marantz but I may have no choice if I can't get it fixed (boo hoo sob sob).

My Marantz is linked to an Arcam Black Box 500 DAC which I am also reluctant to part with so if I can't get the Marantz fixed I will look at a second hand transport.

Does anyone know where I could possibly get my Marantz fixed ?

How good is the Arcam Delta 170 transport compared to the Marantz ?

Are the newer hi-endish CD players now considerably better than my old Marantz CD94/Arcam BB500 combination ?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Gary

[georgehifi]

Your bio says you are an IT service manager. You should have the nous to do it yourself.

There is for memory 3 or 4 different size rubber belts, 2 on each side of the transport that can be got new if you search around, replace these and your transport will be good again.

It sounds as though the one that pulls down the disc clamper mechanism is slipping and not fully clamping, it's easy to work out if you take the time to have a look. If it is slipping don't just replace it, but do all of them as they now are perishing with age and clean all pullies with metho inside the V groove.

Cheers George

[culpano]

Thanks for your help. Oops I later saw the post about the belt spares that can be bought (I did search first honest !). I have ordered the belts and will have a go at fixing it myself. Only thing I can see a problem with is getting the bands inserted into the tight gaps at the side of the tray. Also to try to do it without having to take off the metal wire that is stretched along the side of it. I'm so pleased that it is this that is the problem. However Marantz and their service agents could not have been less helpful. They just dodn't want to know and not even bothered to answer my emails.

[culpano]

The rubber belts arrived and I tried to have a go but failed miserably. I've managed to attach one rubber band but the other one involved having to remove a wheel which had wire wrapped round it. Needless to say the wire has unravelled and is impossible for me to put back. I emailed Servicecare in Oldham pleading with them to mend the unit (I've even said I'll supply the parts !). If they won't mend it for me I'm selling it
Someone else can have a go at repairing it.

Gutted

[georgehifi]

Originally posted by culpano
The rubber belts arrived and I tried to have a go but failed miserably. I've managed to attach one rubber band but the other one involved having to remove a wheel which had wire wrapped round it. Needless to say the wire has unravelled and is impossible for me to put back. I emailed Servicecare in Oldham pleading with them to mend the unit (I've even said I'll supply the parts !). If they won't mend it for me I'm selling it
Someone else can have a go at repairing it.

Gutted

Surely there's someone in England from these forums that can help this guy with the fitment of the belts, even if you have to charge a little, or do a contra (he's in IT) (new h/d or something). It's a classic Marantz 94, it has to be fixed.

Cheers George

[rfbrw]

Why G, old boy, I can feel your distress clear across the planet. Steady on now. It's only a CD player.

[shepperd]

Go to the threads about modding Marantz '63's and '67's. Ask for Brent. He has a shop and is a first class fixer and mixer! He'll sort you out and if you ask nicely (and have £'s) he will transform an old ugly duckling into a new swan! Plus you too can start a 600 page thread! seriously...do it. It will cost you less than a new mid level cdp and you will have a great sounding player to boot.

[icampbell]

Hi Culpano,

I hope you got it sorted now. I would be interested to hear which belts you used and where you sourced them, and how successful their replacement has been. My cd94 has been suffering in the same way for some time and the clamping mechanism has now stopped working fully so I need to do the same replacements.

From past experience I know what a nighmare the wire is to reposition on the pulleys but perseverance will get you there in the end. I seem to recall you need to wrap it twice around the front pulley and then struggle to keep it in place while pulling it over the rear pulley.

Cheers,

Ian

[culpano]

Hi mate,

I tried to fix it myself to no avail. I emailed customer service at ServiceCare and the customer service manager replied thus...

"I have spoken to our engineer, and he has asked to arrange for you to
bring the unit to us and he will take a look for you, the Labour charge
on this will be £55.00 plus parts & vat.

You will need to pay the Labour & vat upfront, but need to make you
aware that this will be non-refundable if we are unable to repair, due
to the spares being unavailable.

Please can you provide me with the Full serial no, address details &
contact no, so I can get this pre-pended on the system before you
arrive.

The engineer as also asked if you could bring the belts with you, as
this could help with the repair.

If you wish to speak regarding this I will be available on my direct
line stated below."

Wonderful......NOT !!!

[Netlist]

Originally posted by culpano
The rubber belts arrived and I tried to have a go but failed miserably. (

Can you provide a few pictures?
Here's a little incredible nifty tool to replace belts.

/Hugo