EAD 2000 problem

I'm hoping someone can give me some information about a problen I THINK is coming from my CD player. Here's what is happening...At times, and not always, one channel will cut in and out , fairly rapidly. It is always the same channel, and I've eliminated the Benchmark , as I have by-passed it and it still occurs. I don't believe it is the pre as it only seems to occur when CD's are played, not when I am piping the TV signal through, or when I play LP's. At times this problem does not occur, and I'm hopeful someone can suggest some things to look for or try before I try to get it serviced.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Would trying to clean the laser be a first, as I have never done it...
Thanks , all
Carl