Under
http://vasiltech.narod.ru/CD-Player-DAC-Transport.htm
there are to find for most exist single vintage CD-Player models the laser unit resp. optical block, which is working inside.
Among the most unreliable laser units I know are the Sony KSS series, especially the types KSS-151A, KSS-272A, KSS-190A, KSS-273A - in use in the SONY ESPRIT series so as in several (very expensive) models from Accuphase and DENON - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...optical-pickups-from-sonys-kss-series.159767/
This means, the replace of the laser unit in Accuphase DP65(V) and DP75(V) is a great issue (because of the lack of availibility) - In contrast, this is not a problem for models with JVC's OPTIMA 4 (used in models also from the upper price class like Reimyo CDP-777,
KRELL KPS 25s, VICTOR XL-EV7 and PHASE TECH CT1) - maybe the reason for availibility of thgis OPTIMA-4 is extended long live character.
Same situation, but not as pronounced, I noticed on the Philips units from CDM-9, equipped with Sharp hologram laser units - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...nside-by-philips-cdm12-and-vam12-mech.146350/
similar issues as on the KSS-series I had observe in any cases.
Unfortunately most of all exist models (both economy- and top-class models) operates with SONY's KSS-Series and Philips CDM-9, CDM-12 and VAM12 mechanism equipped with Sharp LDGU's.
Before perform the choice and purchase of used vintage CD players it is interesting to know which laser unit brands are still virgin in most cases even after 30-40 years of use (i. e. same level of RF signal as in new condition).
According my own experience in the last 30 years belong the following four brands of laser units to the most reliable versions (long-life character, never observe the issues of SONY's KSS series and Philips CDM12/VAM mechanism):
1) Olympus TAOHS-L
released 1982 (predecessor of Toshiba's OPH-32 and NEC's HLPL 030010) and later released TAOHS Series (JP1, JP3, DG1, HG1, KP2), in use e. g. in Kenwood DP-1100D, NAD 5320 + 5325, Yamaha CD-950, CD-1050, CDX-420 and CDX-1050)
https://sts.kahaku.go.jp/english/material/2021pdf/noe320.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/2009121...pus-global.com/en/corc/history/chron/1960.cfm
https://web.archive.org/web/20091222080433/http://www.okaya.olympus.co.jp/jp/introduction/
https://www.olympus.co.jp/news/2021/nr02195.html
https://vintage-audio-laser.com/liste_dac/images/optique/taohs.html
https://books.google.de/books/about...Data_Recordi.html?id=yVzw2aV9hXAC&redir_esc=y
2) Hitachi HOP-M3
In use e. g. in Linn Karik, TEAC PD-H500, DENON UCD-100 and Hitachi DA-40, DA-50
3) JVC Optima series (all versions)
in use in a wide range of JVC and Sansui models - also in use in the for me very best CD player Krell KPS-25s
4) SANYO SF-91 (SF-90 and SF-P101N are unfortunately similarly unreliable as SONY KSS series)
in use e. g. in Eclipse CD-420, Linn IKEMI, Cambridge Audio CD-4, CD-6, DiscMagic, Trac-1 and TEAC CD-P1100,
http://vasiltech.narod.ru/CD-Player-DAC-Transport.htm
there are to find for most exist single vintage CD-Player models the laser unit resp. optical block, which is working inside.
Among the most unreliable laser units I know are the Sony KSS series, especially the types KSS-151A, KSS-272A, KSS-190A, KSS-273A - in use in the SONY ESPRIT series so as in several (very expensive) models from Accuphase and DENON - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...optical-pickups-from-sonys-kss-series.159767/
This means, the replace of the laser unit in Accuphase DP65(V) and DP75(V) is a great issue (because of the lack of availibility) - In contrast, this is not a problem for models with JVC's OPTIMA 4 (used in models also from the upper price class like Reimyo CDP-777,
KRELL KPS 25s, VICTOR XL-EV7 and PHASE TECH CT1) - maybe the reason for availibility of thgis OPTIMA-4 is extended long live character.
Same situation, but not as pronounced, I noticed on the Philips units from CDM-9, equipped with Sharp hologram laser units - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...nside-by-philips-cdm12-and-vam12-mech.146350/
similar issues as on the KSS-series I had observe in any cases.
Unfortunately most of all exist models (both economy- and top-class models) operates with SONY's KSS-Series and Philips CDM-9, CDM-12 and VAM12 mechanism equipped with Sharp LDGU's.
Before perform the choice and purchase of used vintage CD players it is interesting to know which laser unit brands are still virgin in most cases even after 30-40 years of use (i. e. same level of RF signal as in new condition).
According my own experience in the last 30 years belong the following four brands of laser units to the most reliable versions (long-life character, never observe the issues of SONY's KSS series and Philips CDM12/VAM mechanism):
1) Olympus TAOHS-L
released 1982 (predecessor of Toshiba's OPH-32 and NEC's HLPL 030010) and later released TAOHS Series (JP1, JP3, DG1, HG1, KP2), in use e. g. in Kenwood DP-1100D, NAD 5320 + 5325, Yamaha CD-950, CD-1050, CDX-420 and CDX-1050)
https://sts.kahaku.go.jp/english/material/2021pdf/noe320.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/2009121...pus-global.com/en/corc/history/chron/1960.cfm
https://web.archive.org/web/20091222080433/http://www.okaya.olympus.co.jp/jp/introduction/
https://www.olympus.co.jp/news/2021/nr02195.html
https://vintage-audio-laser.com/liste_dac/images/optique/taohs.html
https://books.google.de/books/about...Data_Recordi.html?id=yVzw2aV9hXAC&redir_esc=y
2) Hitachi HOP-M3
In use e. g. in Linn Karik, TEAC PD-H500, DENON UCD-100 and Hitachi DA-40, DA-50
3) JVC Optima series (all versions)
in use in a wide range of JVC and Sansui models - also in use in the for me very best CD player Krell KPS-25s
4) SANYO SF-91 (SF-90 and SF-P101N are unfortunately similarly unreliable as SONY KSS series)
in use e. g. in Eclipse CD-420, Linn IKEMI, Cambridge Audio CD-4, CD-6, DiscMagic, Trac-1 and TEAC CD-P1100,
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no. From all mentioned brands I haven't found a not working optical device with a weakened lens suspension and a weak laser diode.
how do you define "reliability"?
my story is for many years, i've owned 2 machines that used the KSS-272A.
still have 1 (Sony CDP-X779ES) and gave one away (another Sony; don't remember model number).
Both still work perfectly to this day; my X779ES still has a strong eye pattern; I have no access to the other machine so cannot check it anymore, but it probably does, too).
neither has had a laser assembly reworked or replaced.
but if you're right, that means there's plenty of Accuphase DP-65 carcasses around that I could move my laser into and have an upgraded machine!
😎
How do I find one?
my story is for many years, i've owned 2 machines that used the KSS-272A.
still have 1 (Sony CDP-X779ES) and gave one away (another Sony; don't remember model number).
Both still work perfectly to this day; my X779ES still has a strong eye pattern; I have no access to the other machine so cannot check it anymore, but it probably does, too).
neither has had a laser assembly reworked or replaced.
but if you're right, that means there's plenty of Accuphase DP-65 carcasses around that I could move my laser into and have an upgraded machine!
😎
How do I find one?
"Reliability" is actually a vague term.
In this context, I define this term according to my repair experience and the repair experience of some SONY service centers between 1997 and 2005. But also from Swoboda Audio - go to
https://swobodaaudio.de
which carried out extensive modifications in all Sony CD players from the ESPRIT series at those days. Because of the high costs therefore for the users, it was later difficult to explain that it was not possible to replace the laser on their ESPRIT devices.
A large number of faulty laser units from the KSS series could no longer be replaced after around 2010 because the existing genuine SONY spare parts were no longer available (my own stock of 30 pieces of the KSS-272A was already sold out in 2003.
The many threads here on diyaudio.com dealing with laser diode replacement on these KSS laser units - this also confirm that these laser units have failed prematurely more often than various other brands - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/kss-272a-substitution-of-laser-diode.356320/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...diode-applicable-for-the-kss-151a-too.366374/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...f-sld-104u-for-sony-esprit-kss-series.148561/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...optical-pickups-from-sonys-kss-series.159767/
However, I do not deny that there are exceptions and some SONY ESPRIT and Accuphase cd player devices still run perfectly with the first installed laser unit after almost 40 years of operation (like yours).
But there aren't many anymore.
All in post #1 mentioned laser units still good available as spare part. Why ?
Because these could not be replaced or very rarely due to faulty reading of the compact discs.
If Accuphase had opted for JVC EXU-901A OPTIMA-4 - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ct-1-ct1-better-than-vam1254-cdpro2lf.149032/
instead of SONY KSS in their cd player devices, there would have been no problems with the known malfunctions from KSS-272A, KSS-190A, KSS-240A etc.
In this context, I define this term according to my repair experience and the repair experience of some SONY service centers between 1997 and 2005. But also from Swoboda Audio - go to
https://swobodaaudio.de
which carried out extensive modifications in all Sony CD players from the ESPRIT series at those days. Because of the high costs therefore for the users, it was later difficult to explain that it was not possible to replace the laser on their ESPRIT devices.
A large number of faulty laser units from the KSS series could no longer be replaced after around 2010 because the existing genuine SONY spare parts were no longer available (my own stock of 30 pieces of the KSS-272A was already sold out in 2003.
The many threads here on diyaudio.com dealing with laser diode replacement on these KSS laser units - this also confirm that these laser units have failed prematurely more often than various other brands - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/kss-272a-substitution-of-laser-diode.356320/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...diode-applicable-for-the-kss-151a-too.366374/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...f-sld-104u-for-sony-esprit-kss-series.148561/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...optical-pickups-from-sonys-kss-series.159767/
However, I do not deny that there are exceptions and some SONY ESPRIT and Accuphase cd player devices still run perfectly with the first installed laser unit after almost 40 years of operation (like yours).
But there aren't many anymore.
All in post #1 mentioned laser units still good available as spare part. Why ?
Because these could not be replaced or very rarely due to faulty reading of the compact discs.
If Accuphase had opted for JVC EXU-901A OPTIMA-4 - go to
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ct-1-ct1-better-than-vam1254-cdpro2lf.149032/
instead of SONY KSS in their cd player devices, there would have been no problems with the known malfunctions from KSS-272A, KSS-190A, KSS-240A etc.
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Also very reliable are the radial Philips CDM* like the cdm4 as an example. I know from a technician at that time, the fault percentage was 70% but the 30% good ones are extremely reliable. In mtbf:
Cdm4: 60k hour
Cdm12* ( like in the CDpro and newer: only 6K hours 🤷
Cdm9 was also not very reliable indeed.
And it is indeed not a bad idea if you wanna buy a vintage player, to seek wich laser is used and the availability and price.
Cdm4: 60k hour
Cdm12* ( like in the CDpro and newer: only 6K hours 🤷
Cdm9 was also not very reliable indeed.
And it is indeed not a bad idea if you wanna buy a vintage player, to seek wich laser is used and the availability and price.