Mark Levinson No.37 CD transport Problem (died)

[sergiob]

Hi everyone.
I have a big problem with this Mark Levinson cd player. After a storm it was turned on but is in this position, the display goes haywire. Checked the various components, I found the 5v voltage regulator (7805) shorted, two transistors 2n6730 and 2n6718 shorted, the multiple resistor 51ohm damaged and what's worse, the microcontroller ALTERA inserted in the socket is very hot, in practice even this looks burnt to me. In fact, i took the chip ALTERA out of the socket, with a multimeter i tested the power and ground pins result in short circuit
Now after checking all the components and replacing the damaged ones the problem is in the microcontroller. Does anyone know where it can be found.
Unfortunately in Italy the Mark Levinson assistance centers can be counted on the palm of your hand and when contacted nobody can give me an answer.
I imagine that in the ALERA chip there is also the firmware as well as the CD control.

Can anyone experienced help me?

 

[ManoloMos]

Hi! Altera EPM7032LC44 is not a microcontroller(CPU), is a EEprom memory. Sometimes, the number following to EPM7032LC44 makes reference to a certain firmware, for example EPM7032LC44-15, EPM7032LC44-34, etc... It could be helpful to see the Altera without the white paper, with the paper unsticked, for to see the entire nomenclature.
As I said, EPM7032LC44 is a EEprom, not a CPU, maybe there are more faulty components, as the CPU, that you can check if the Quarz is oscillating.
And one thing, I'd don't worry much about it, it's only a CD source digital player. I'd can't tell the difference from a cd source player Mark Levinson or a 100 bucks Pioneer cd player.

Maybe it should be good to install a overvoltage protection in your electric installation. There are devices for this issues in the market.

 

[rfbrw]

The Altera, now Intel, EPM7032LC44 is not an EEPROM. It is a CPLD from the MAX7000 family.

 

[sergiob]

Hi! Altera EPM7032LC44 is not a microcontroller(CPU), is a EEprom memory. Sometimes, the number following to EPM7032LC44 makes reference to a certain firmware, for example EPM7032LC44-15, EPM7032LC44-34, etc... It could be helpful to see the Altera without the white paper, with the paper unsticked, for to see the entire nomenclature.
As I said, EPM7032LC44 is a EEprom, not a CPU, maybe there are more faulty components, as the CPU, that you can check if the Quarz is oscillating.
And one thing, I'd don't worry much about it, it's only a CD source digital player. I'd can't tell the difference from a cd source player Mark Levinson or a 100 bucks Pioneer cd player.

Maybe it should be good to install a overvoltage protection in your electric installation. There are devices for this issues in the market.

Thanks for the information.
It is a programmable logic device CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/cpld-overview/
The fact is that the Mark Levinson cd player I would like to repair.
Regarding the ALTERA CHIP, this is the full code below the label EPM7032LC44-15T D9510, there is also a code on the other side of the chip VCD621842 9510 A N. The cost of the chip is "derisory", 6$, I would try to buy one to see the behavior with the other components.

If the chip is to be programmed/customized by Mark Levinson then I'm doomed unless you find the same chip already written.

 

[sergiob]

The Altera, now Intel, EPM7032LC44 is not an EEPROM. It is a CPLD from the MAX7000 family.

thanks for your kind support.
In this link I found explanations about CPLD devices (Complex Programmable Logic Device)
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/cpld-overview/
If the chip is to be programmed/customized by Mark Levinson then I'm doomed unless you find the same chip already written.

The thing is, as I told the friend ManoloMos , If the chip is to be programmed/customized by Mark Levinson then I'm doomed unless you find the same chip already written.
The cost of the chip is "derisory", 6$, I would try to buy one to see the behavior with the other components.

 

[sergiob]

MC68HC11E1CFNE2

AT29C010A

SN74HCT573N

SN74HCT245N

 

[ManoloMos]

I think you should contact for any Mark Levinson dealer for to try to get this spare part.

 

[sergiob]

There are two possible firmware installations
on ATMEL AT29C010A or on ALTERA EPM7032LC44-15T
in both cases the contact is Mark Levinson, there is no other solution.

 

[triodes4ever]

Ciao Sergio, I'm also facing challenges with my #37 transport. No documentation, schematics, the importer does not reply.. What misery!
Not sure if you found any doc, but perhaps you can help here. The 2 big PSU capacitors (Light blue on most pics) I need to know what they are. One is 10,000uF I think, the other 6,800/50V but mine have been replaced once, it looks like a clumsy job and I am not sure if they have the correct values and correct Voltage. Can you have a look in yours please?

Grazie Mille, Leonard

 

[purer]

That's right,
one is 6800uf and the other is 10000uf

 

[sergiob]

Ciao Sergio, I'm also facing challenges with my #37 transport. No documentation, schematics, the importer does not reply.. What misery!
Not sure if you found any doc, but perhaps you can help here. The 2 big PSU capacitors (Light blue on most pics) I need to know what they are. One is 10,000uF I think, the other 6,800/50V but mine have been replaced once, it looks like a clumsy job and I am not sure if they have the correct values and correct Voltage. Can you have a look in yours please?

Grazie Mille, Leonard

C1 of 6800uF 35v
C3 of 10000uF 25v

as regards the assistance service of the product in question, it is practically non-existent considering that the CD player is almost 30 years old and it is not clear why to keep projects "hidden" etc... if assistance is not guaranteed. Really ridiculous.

I would like to kindly ask if it is possible to remove the ALTERA EPM7032LC44-15 chip and with a multimeter you can check the power and gnd pins if your ALTERA chip is shorted too, mine is shorted and overheating. I think it burned.

Thanks.

PIN VCC:

• 3
• 15
• 23
• 35

PIN GND:

• 10
• 22
• 30
• 42

 

[triodes4ever]

Ciao Sergio, thanks for the values and voltages. I actually spoke with the importer in NL this morning and to my surprise they looked up the schematics and provided the values. Plus some mechanical stuff we discussed.
Weird is how the CD PRO is connected to the circuit main board, 2 wires soldered to the CD PRO board, somewhere in the middle of the pcb. Lools a bit amateuristic, is that in yours as well?

 

[triodes4ever]

I just added a picture, please have a look I can hardly think this is originale? I actually fear to take out the chip and measure it. The machine is OK now, and I don't want to take the risk to ruin it. But I guarantee, your chip is finito, it should not form a short circuit.

Grazie Leonard

 

[purer]

This is the clock of CDPRO

 

[sergiob]

I just added a picture, please have a look I can hardly think this is originale?

as you can see the board is a bit different but the connections are the same so rest assured that everything is ok

 

[sergiob]

Ciao Sergio, thanks for the values and voltages. I actually spoke with the importer in NL this morning and to my surprise they looked up the schematics and provided the values. Plus some mechanical stuff we discussed.

Do you have any info on the schematics? Do know if it is possible to have an ALTERA chip to replace?

 

[triodes4ever]

We did not discuss, but I'm happy to call the guy again and ask..

 

[elviukai]

I have original new/unused programed Mark Levinson eprom chips (including No37)

I can
1) offer repair service (warianty) or
2) sell chip (no warrianty of any kind)

 

[elviukai]

.

 

[triodes4ever]

Sergio I have spoken with the importer and passed the information. They will look at it this week still. Then we know whether it is still available, and at what cost. Keep you posted!