@pcrhkr , I'd considered that Crown pair a bit too long ago vs. the Kenwood 07 bits I went with.... |
A couple of thoughts from someone who is still involved in servicing vintage audio gear: We’ve only experienced 2 instances where items have, literally, burst into flames on the test bench. This seemed to align with the 50-year mark on electronics. I recall the moment after hitting the "send" button on my computer to let a customer know his Vietnam-era reel-to-reel was ready for pickup, and was then "distracted" by flames (and smoke) coming from the transformer. This was after MANY hours of diagnostics, parts replacement(s), testing -- and listening. The term "burn in" took on additional meaning that day. As for aging CD players, I have formed a little analogy. It’s a "perfect storm" of read errors when the laser weakens and "slop" develops in the mechanism. Imagine an old guy trying to hit that little bullseye in a urinal with weakened stream that he can’t hold as steady as he used to. That’s the case of old CD player laser pickups. On the other hand, we’ve had 60+ year old speakers in the shop that were still fairly competent electro-mechanical acoustic transducers. Then there’s the issue(s) of out of warranty service support. It’s not uncommon to see items costing several thousands dollars "orphaned" by the manufacture with no service strategy in place whatsoever to take care of them if/when they break. At a tender 10-year mark they are directed to the recycle center -- or become what we refer to as a "science project" where the hours invested to get them up an running does not align with a fiscally-responsible plan of action. All that being said, we are still stunned at times at just how much music can come out of those old boxes when "newer thinking" is applied and/or parts are upgraded (or bypassed altogether) that make them sound worse. And ... there is something quite therapeutic about handing (and releasing) physical media. |
I don't often post but as a repair guy who tries to work on many things I own, I have noticed a few trends. CD/Optical drives in general probably have aged the least well. The laser diodes get weak and out of spec it seems. I also have a lot of tape decks that also need maintenance but many of those parts can still be sourced. I probably have at least 30 different CD/DVD/SACD players. Usually the lasers wear out and are difficult to find. You used to be able to buy them until all the stock dried up. For example, of the many I have, one is a Denon DCD-3560. It has a new laser in it. I also bought a spare 3560 NOS laser for a lot of money to have on hand just in case. I also have the very first CD player, a pair Sony CDP-101 players still working after 40 years. My Pioneer Elite players are still working as well. I went ahead and bought an Oppo BDP-105D too. I have so many optical players, I will likely never be without one. I listen to several analog and digital formats. I feel I am covered having so many players, a DAC+my own file server content and-or streamers.
I would say if anyone plans on buying an old used CD/SACD/DVD player, see if laser heads are still available and buy 1 or 2 spares with your choice player. |
