Sony FH-B7CD / KSS-240A problem (for Anatech)

[antidot]

Hi,

I just created a user ID hoping to get in touch with You (Anatech). I'm located in Mississauga, and I need help/advice from You.

I have an older Sony FH-B7CD mini component system, and my CD unit is acting up. It started skipping almost 10 years ago, and I bought a brand new KSS-240A pickup module, installed it and everything seemed fine again. However, not even 6 months later it started again.

I didn't want to bother with it again, so I bought a new system. The other day (10 years later) I decided to have another look inside, and I noticed a clicking noise coming from the pick up which is apparently caused by some gain control.

As I searched the internet for possible solutions this web site came up: KSS 240A pick up...CD player parts

It's a very nice unit, I like it a lot and would like to have it fixed rather than throw it away.

Can You help me please?

Robert

[anatech]

Hi Robert,
The good news is that you're pretty close to me.

The other day (10 years later) I decided to have another look inside, and I noticed a clicking noise coming from the pick up which is apparently caused by some gain control.

Probably not caused by a gain control adjustment. This is one of those things you need to look at to tell what's going on. That head is pre-adjusted at the factory. No touchy the controls. The laser diode APC diode control is one of those three pots. You really don't want to touch anything on the head.

Now, it is possible you got a defective head, where did you buy it from? Global can be scary.

Now for the sad news. That CD transport you have there is a high end transport these days.

-Chris

[antidot]

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm not quite sure if I touched those 3 pots, I might have :-(

I bought the pickup brand new from a Sony parts supplier, not far from the Sony HQ in North York. It was $80, 10 years ago, gee....

When it started acting up again after 6 months of running, I might have attempted to make little adjustments left and right, but I was kinda careful not to go extremes. At that time I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to touch these. And, at first i didn't, only when it started acting up, again, I think.....

Is there a fix for this?

R.

[anatech]

Hi Richard,
Okay, you got the parts from a good source. I can't remember their name, but I used to buy my Sony parts there as well.

Those three pots normally have paint on them to prevent the controls from changing position during handling. If you have moved them, I might possibly be able to correct that. The only problem is that you may have increased the laser power to a point where it died quickly. If that is the case, the only fix is a new head.

The only way to figure this stuff out is to examine your machine. Too bad someone hadn't told you that servicing a CD player is not as simple as replacing the head. Do you still have the original head? It may very well be fine. Bad laser heads are not the main reason CD players run into trouble.

Just curious. How did you come to look for me??

-Chris

[antidot]

Well, 10+ years ago (maybe more) there wasn't Internet as it is today, I had no one to turn to. Somebody told me that Sony laser pickups were much weaker and more prone to failure than others (ie. Pioneer, Toshiba etc.) so I figured that must be it.

Bought a new one, installed it, worked for a while, and it started skipping again. Factory CDs didn't skip as much as CD-R, I figured the laser was getting weaker.

The other day I decided to pull this baby out of the storage, and give it another go. I replaced all the belts, blew all the dust out, slightly oiled the mechanism, everything is top notch other than the CD drive

So, I decided to search for an answer and came across a few posts you were part of, and it seemed you knew what you were talking about. The bonus was that you are 15 away from Mississauga, and I'm praying you can help me

I wanted to e-mail you directly, but this forum wouldn't let me. I had to register to get here. Can't PM either, and I'm being moderated as a new user. All this hassle to get in touch with You

Anyhow, I don't want to waste other user's time, I'd like to ask you if you would be kind enough to e-mail me your phone number, so I could call you at your convenience, get an advice which way to go.

This unit is 19 years old and has a sentimental value for me. If it could be fixed for a reasonable $$ and within reasonable time frame, I would be willing to go for it.

I'm asking for your knowledge and help.

Robert

robert at ica dot net

[anatech]

Hi Robert,

Somebody told me that Sony laser pickups were much weaker and more prone to failure than others (ie. Pioneer, Toshiba etc.) so I figured that must be it.

Man, too bad. Someone has no idea what they were talking about! It cost you unfortunately. If you still have the old head, let's check it.

Anyhow, I don't want to waste other user's time

Actually, you aren't. What you are going through might well help someone else. I have repaired many CD players "that needed a new laser". Most didn't and the customers saved money by getting a second opinion. Most inexperienced technicians will quote the most expensive part they can think of. For TV's, they mostly needed picture tubes or flybacks. Sometimes that was even true!

I modified your email address so that bots couldn't get it. you don't want junk mail, do you?

Anyway, I have no problem in having a look at it for you. I don't think the laser head was bad. Right now I'm pretty busy, but a month should be okay. I'll test your worst CD and CDR to see if they are okay as well.

-Chris