CD player doesn't read CDRs

[Peter Daniel]

If you want to go one step further, you might replace output ICs, which are 5532. I did that on mine and this probably made a biggest difference (OPA627). I'm also using only first IC and removed the second one. As to the truckload payment, you don't think I paid a full price, are you?😉

 

[Cradle22]

Hi!

I also had a technics CD player from the end of the eigthies, but a very cheap one, not like yours, and it couldn't play any CDRs either. Tried about 30 brands, nothing worked.

And someone who once ran a hifi store (now a car hifi store) told me, that a lot of the older CD players can't read CDRs properly (let alone CDRWs, which most drives have only "learned" to read very recently)...

So maybe it's not an adjustment / cleaning problem?

Bye,

Arndt

 

[Peter Daniel]

This one reads some CDRs and sometimes the same disk can be played and on another occasion cannot be played. I also noticed that with time (last 3 years) it got worse.

 

[mrfeedback]

If you want to go one step further, you might replace output ICs, which are 5532.

I'm sort of leaving it as is so as to be a 'factory condition old well accepted reference', but I can be swayed.

I did that on mine and this probably made a biggest difference (OPA627).

What kinds of differences ?.

I'm also using only first IC and removed the second one.

I need to look at the schematic (I have a HD copy), but what's the deal here ?.

As to the truckload payment, you don't think I paid a full price, are you?😉

I know that you are much smarter than that. 😉

Eric.

 

[PedroPO]

This particular one was $ 8,000 CAD in 1991.

I was talking about PC cd players!!

Once I found a CD player similar to yours from marantz and from 1980's or so.

It was tank like, but the side panel were made of stone 2cm thick!!

Played better than a modern dvd player with cd's. (transport only)

 

[Peter Daniel]

What kinds of differences ?.

You surely sound like SE here😉

Well, the original player has somewhat darker character and the resolution was not up to what I'm used to. Also, not that much involving. I mean it sounds good, but definitely with a room for improvement. Changing the chips changed this completely, very open sound now, much more resolution and very musical and involving.

When you look at the schematic, right at the output of a DAC there is a resistors network to decrease DC off set from DAC, I removed it. There are two ICs at the output. One for low pass filtering and the other as output buffer. I removed output buffer, as I didn't feel it's required. I'm using 4.7 BG N for coupling. I also changed ALL electrolytics on the PCB, with HFQ and Cerafines and usually more capacitance than usual. If you feel adventerous, you migh also omitt digital filter and connect decoder output directly to the DAC. Here are some links:
http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/hi_fi/com.htm and
http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/hi_fi/cd960.htm

 

[mrfeedback]

Sound Like Who ?.

Yeah, I agree that res is not infinite, and slightly dull/darkish, but never harsh, intruding or annoying - happily boppy though - a good while back, semi-affordable SOTA I 'spose.
I agree better res and openness would enhance the involvement factor.
Adventurous ? - of course.

Thanks,
Eric.

 

[LeoJar]

it seems that it is a Sony Laser Pickup KSS151A. (electromagnetic control). If you would like to keep this CD Player. Please get the spare parts especially the pickup.
You can get the head from here

www.grandata.co.uk

Leo

 

[carlosfm]

Panasonic caps are a problem

Hi Peter,

Very nice machine.
But due to age you could try to change the caps (mainly the electrolythics) in the transport seccion of the CDP.
Some of them might be dead.
Anyway, in Technics/Panasonic devices it's normal to have to change all (or almost all ) the electrolythics after some 10 years, and some times even much less.
They dry.
That tells me the quality of Panasonic caps.
They may be good when new, but they don't last long.
Believe-me, I've been there.
My video (Panasonic) and my old tape deck (Technics) had problems now and then and changing one cap is not enough.
It cures this one.
Tomorrow there's another problem.
All new caps (not Panasonic!) and no problems.

 

[Peter Daniel]

The caps are Elna Cerafine, but maybe indeed it's time to change them.

 

[carlosfm]

If you want to go one step further, you might replace output ICs, which are 5532. I did that on mine and this probably made a biggest difference (OPA627). I'm also using only first IC and removed the second one. As to the truckload payment, you don't think I paid a full price, are you?😉

Oh yes.
It makes more difference a good analogue stage than the Dac type or a clock change.
And I just love the OPA627.
I use them on my Dac.😉

Hey Eric, Peter is right, in a moment you sounded like SE.😉