CD player plays some CDs, not others.


I need a little advice here. My Denon player (8 years old) will play most CDs just fine, but now and then certain CDs, which played just fine before, will no longer play. The display reads Track 01, and that is all. I can skip to track 02 but it still will not play. If I put in another CD, it will play. Then if I go back to the other CD, it will not read the CD. These are CDs that will play in my Sony Walkman, but for some reason my Denon is not able to read them anymore. They are in good shape, clean, and had played in the past. Is the laser shot?? Need a new player?? ALong those lines, what quality can I get in the $500-$600 range, single play or changer. I like Denon, but will try any other recommended to me. Thanks in advance. Al on Cape Cod
codger
Same problem as yours,my player is a Denon DCD-1420,all i did was to tune a small little potentiometer that is just below the laser mechanism,i was at my wits end before this even thought of throwing away my player,it works fine now just tried about 20 cds all work fine,previously if i could get 5 out of 20 to play it would be a miracle.Also don't forget to clean the laser with a cotton bud and a bit of alcohol.Good luck.
This applies to all CD's and DVD Media. There is a kick ass Product called Quick Shield on the manrket from cdplayright.com. The product has been tested and endorsed by Warner Advanced media Operations Toshiba and HP disc labs. Thos Quick Shield places a protective coating that is 100% laser neutral and keeps the disc scratch free. It costs $28.99 in a package called Trio. Darn good. The Repair kit in this package is the most effective in the market bar none, they own the patent for repairing optical media. Be careful with all Laser lens cleaners that have pig hair, they dry out and can break off, when brittle they cause more problems than they help. good luck
Michaelrc990,  Is dead on the spot!

I had a Carver TL-3200, would play some CD's but some not.

Almost threw it in the scrap heap, until I read his blog.

Turned the pot CW just a little and WA - LA now plays all CD's

I am so thankful for this very accurate info.

Thank you!!
CD player plays some CDs, not others.
Are these burnt/copied cd's or retail cd's?

Because some lasers have problems with burnt cd's, (doesn't mean they're bad lasers) and some will play some but not others, depending which brand of blank it is that was used.  

Cheers George
Left to right:
1: Stamped/Moulded retail CD
2: Burnt gold CD
3: Burnt normal CD

You can see why some lasers have troubles with burnt CD's, and why error correction will be higher
https://www.iasa-web.org/sites/default/files/tc05-fig20.jpg

Cheers George