CD player just tanked.


Brief introduction: I just recently inherited a hifi system (Audio Research LS16 pre-amp, Proceed HPA2 amp, Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers, Arcam CD92 CD player). I'm new to this audiophile stuff but am enjoying the system and learning about it.

Was listening to Dark Side of the Moon CD tonight when suddenly it sounded like the music was coming out of a can. Put in another CD, same thing. My only other source of input is iTunes via a head phone jack/RCA Y cable into the pre-amp. That sounds fine.

So I'm assuming it is the CD player but it seems like an odd sort of issue. I think this CD player is probably 15 years old but I see similar models on eBay for $300+. Wondering if it is worth trying to repair or if that is even possible. I'm also wondering if this could be a problem with the CD input 'channel' on the pre-amp. I guess I could plug the CD into the Aux input on the pre-amp and see.

Any thoughts appreciated.
n80

Showing 25 responses by n80

It is the CD player. This morning there is nothing but static coming through it even when it is not on play. On play the static changes and you can hear some faint music through it. I changed it over to the auxiliary inputs on the pre-amp and it is the same. iPhone via RCA Y cable works on all inputs so thank goodness it isn’t the AR pre-amp.

I’ve got a Sony CD player that is probably 15 years old but like new. I could not tell a difference between it and this Arcam even though it is my understanding that the Arcam had a good reputation in its day.

lowrider, I may go that route but you know I’m trying not to spend more money on a hobby I didn’t know that I had. The stylus on the low end Grado cartridge on a fair-at-best Sony TT just broke. Another $50 for a needle for a worthless turntable for someone with maybe 15 worn out LPs! I’m probably $250 into this adventure (rack, good cables, cheap phono pre-amp, stylus etc)! My wife is perplexed. She doesn’t care what I spend but this morning she says, "three weeks ago you were happy with the system you had in high school."
Very true. The less I spend here the more I can spend on race tires and Nikon lenses. 
celander, the funny thing is is that I my in law gave me all this stuff because my old tuner/receiver was acting up. As I was researching this equipment someone recommended shooting some DeOxit into the pots of the old receiver and now it works like it did in 1978 and now it continues use down at my cabin as it has for the last 15 years. 

I’m going down there today to get the Sony and my in law says he’s now found another whole system he doesn’t want. Rotel components and B&W speakers. I’ll look at those today. 
Well, I was thinking I'd just get these and be done with it:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis927ci-wilson-audio-alexandria-xlf-mint-one-owner-full-range

But last week there was a set of used speakers for around $450,000 and knowing they're out there would just make me crazy.
And for the record, my wife wasn't complaining really. The old system is still in use and hifi system is still in use. She just thinks its funny that two weeks ago I was happy with the old system and now I'm all fussy about SQ.
Back on topic, I got the Sony CD back home and got it all plugged in and everything works fine. It is probably all in my head but it does not seem to sound as good as the Arcam. It sounds sharp and precise but the bass seems a little more subdued and even a little muddy. The whole sound is not as full and rich.

I guess I'm going to have to move speakers around again.

I think you guys are creating a monster here.
See above. That's what I did. I thought that I would not hear a difference between CD players but I'm pretty sure I do. I'll plug along with the Sony but maybe I'll upgrade CD players if I keep at this.

I got the Rotel/B&W system. Huge powered subwoofer, two tower speakers and a center speaker. All pretty beat up. There was a surround sound pre-amp and a large 5 channel amp. The amp and pre-amp are very foreign to me. No method for simple two channel hook up. I doubt the B&W towers are as good as my current Aerial Acoustics and I don't need the subwoofer. I might use the towers with my old receiver but I doubt 25 watts will drive them. The subwoofer is powered but I could not get it to drive the speakers. No sound from speakers at all even though the subwoofer was going.  I'll download the manuals but suspect all that stuff is going back in my brother-in-laws garage.
I'm warming to the sound of the Sony. I'm sure my ears/brain are playing tricks on me. But, if I come to the conclusion that it is really inferior then I'll do some research and shop around. I've been told that the CD player doesn't make a big difference. I don't know what the truth is.

I also made the comparison (between the Sony and the dead Arcam) right after I turned the system on and even the pre-amp owner's manual says it needs time to warm up so that could why I thought it didn't sound as good. I've been listening a couple of hours now and don't notice a big difference.
jennerl, I tried what you recommended but no go. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong. However, there is also a like-new Onkyo home theater system with standard speaker and sub hook ups and it is 85 watts per channel so I’m going to try that for simplicity.

Technically I am not racing. Just track days. I’m an instructor. I’ve got roll bar, race seats, HANS and all that for safety. We have an instructor run group and even though we aren’t technically "racing"....we are actually racing a good bit...informally...so safety is a serious (and expensive) issue.

My children are grown and on their own. I’m in pretty good health. Hope to keep doing this another 5-10 years. Other than tires and brake pads I’ve got the expenses pretty low.
colin, I can solder and I have a tester but I am totally helpless when it comes to electricity and  probably couldn't identify or find the various parts you're talking about. I also solder like a monkey so I'd probably mess up most of the solders.

But, I sure don't have anything to lose. Either it goes in the trash or I take a peek inside.

The pcb is??? Primary control board???
Racing is a whole other level of expense regardless of the car compared to HPDE.

I drive with NASA. They are loads of fun to run with but the racing classes are serious and you don't see too many shiny late model high branded cars.

DE4, for me, is tons of fun. Find 4 or 5 guys with comparable cars/talent and race all you want....just don't call it racing. I drive a 2007 Nissan 350Z that is not worth anything. I think it is a lot more fun when I don't have to worry about wadding up an expensive car.....but it certainly does not drive like a Porsche!

Funny thing is, down here in the south I skip July-Sept.NASA SE doesn't even run in August at all. Just too dang hot.

Yes, back to the music. I'm fortunate to enter the hobby with upper level stuff but for me there is sticker shock for every little tweak. I'm getting used to it.
I drive VIR frequently. Awesome track. The other two tracks I drive are local unknowns but still lots of fun. Barber is on my list. About a six hour drive. I'll probably drive Road Atlanta this year.

Limerock and Watkins Glen would be great but I don't see me towing a car that far.

The fellow I go to events with has a '67 Mustang. He built every inch of it including the engine. 675 hp. No power steering. No power brakes. It is faster than you'd think in the corners (5 link suspension in the rear) and it is terrifyingly fast in the straights.

For me one of the great aspects of track driving is that you find out where you and your car stand right quick. It can be humbling....to be passed by a Miata.

I have video of me on the back stretch of VIR at about 140mph. A Ferrari 458 Challenge car was there for a test-n-tune. 18 wheeler support vehicle, engineers, tire warmers, etc. He comes by me and it looks like I'm going 30 mph. I'm guessing he was up around 175 mph. Wonderful sound.

Targa Florio in Sicily! Must have been wonderful.
George, I looked at it quickly this morning but did not see a "T" on there. I'll look again when I get home from work.

On the front it does say: CD92 dCS Ring DAC and HDCD.
I'm pretty sure it sounded better than the Sony. That was my immediate and initial impression. The more I listen to the Sony the less I notice but I am convinced as in many sensory things, we get used to what we're being exposed to. So I think my immediate impression was correct. But again, I do not have audiophile ears yet.

The Sony is extremely flimsy. You can pick it up easily with one hand and even then it feels light. The Arcam is stout and heavy.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a "transport"? Do you mean that even if the CD mechanism is broken I can use it as a DAC?
mrdecibel, running an RCA from the CD player's coaxial out to the Rotel pre-amp's coaxial in works. 

I can't comment on the SQ since I'm still feeling out this Rotel/B&W system (which is clearly not in the league with my other stuff which is what I am now used to.)

Diagnostically does this mean its the DAC on the Arcam that is toast? That would be a shame since it is my understanding that that is its best feature.

Anyway, at least the CD player can still be used with this Rotel system either in my brother-in-law's den (he is not an audiophile) if his wife will permit or in my cabin in which case even if it isn't hifi it will be better than what is down there now. So given the circumstances, win-win I suppose.
Thanks MrD. I think I will leave my explorations at that and keep this Arcam with the Rotel/B&W system. Sad end for it but better than the garbage can.

I also noticed that the HDCD indicator light came on several times while playing a non HDCD CD. The disk was recorded in Q Sound but I don't think that has anything to do with HDCD
Unfortunately this one has been moved, probably roughly, several times and then stored in a damp basement for several years.

I may look into repairs if I can find somewhere to get an estimate. 

It seems like back in the early days of CD players I recall that there was a switch or a screw or something that locked down something within the unit to keep it from getting damaged when moved.

Off topic, but I have an almost OCD trait in that I do not like seeing, having or knowing about high quality gear that doesn't work or isn't being used. I have some nice film cameras that I keep in good working condition even though I rarely shoot film. All my obsolete old computers still run like new. This CD player is going to bother me until I either get it running or get rid of it.

Part of what motivated this whole journey into hifi/audiophile territory is that I could not stand seeing the two systems I've put together sitting in my brother-in-law's basement. The Rotel/B&W system is sitting in the middle of my living room floor and has nowhere to go. It is mine to use but not to sell so it might end up back in the basement!
I have found a high end audio repair shop near me. They charge $40 for diagnostic and estimate and they list Arcam and many other very high end brands as brands they work on. They claim to have extensive in-house parts inventory.

I'm currently looking at new CD players in the $300 range, like the NAD 530.

So the question is, how much would you spend fixing this older Arcam CD92? Would it be worth spending $200 to keep it running or just get a $300 NAD?
Well, crap. Web site is still up. Any recommendations for the Charlotte area?
Thanks. I'm just sticking with the old Sony for now. That leaves me without one at my cabin but I use iTunes there on a low end system.
Oh, sorry, replied to the wrong post. As far as the Arcam it is at my cabin plugged into the Rotel home theater system with B&W speakers. You might remember that it still plays via the digital out port. I guess it uses the DAC in the pre-amp?

However, that big Rotel amp and surround sound pre-amp plus 3 B&W speakers and a huge subwoofer are just too much for my tiny cabin so I'm afraid they are all going back into my brother-in-law's basement soon.
No. The Arcam is still at my cabin...where my daughter and her husband are living while their new home is being built.....

And now my son and his girlfriend plus two dogs and a cat are living in my home because of the hurricane so I effectively have no listening room!
Not interested in vinyl. Too much of a fetish to me. Too fiddly. Too precious. And quite frankly, while I can hear the difference between vinyl vs CD on a good system, I'm hard pressed to say one sounds better than the other. So certainly not worth spending the money for me.

Went to the local record store yesterday. I did not see a single LP in there for less than $30. I had purchased Van Morrison's Astral Weeks on heavy vinyl there last month for $25 and I think it was the cheapest piece in the shop. Its just not for me. Sorry.

(This is not intended to start a vinyl vs CD war. It is just my opinion for my needs and means.)