Why would it be that you couldn't have it serviced here just because it was made for the Japanese market? They're all made in Japan.
Problem with CEC transport
Hello all
I have a CEC TL5 transport, and it is the Japanese model, so I cannot get it serviced in the United States. All of a sudden the transport starts freezing up after two or three minutes. The disk continues to turn and I have recently checked the belt, so I'm pretty sure that isn't the issue. Any ideas as to what the problem might be, how to fix it, or where I could take it in the United States for service?
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Likely because it is regarded as a gray market good not intended for sale in the U.S. How do you know it is not the belt? I didn't use mine much, had a fresh belt but the belt "formed" from non-use. Do you use your unit regularly? Will Audio-Union sell you a fresh belt? Shipping the unit to Japan is going to be expensive. |
Audio union will not ship me a new belt! The guy I talked to on the phone seemed pissed off that I had a unit made for the Japanese market. You are right, though, I did not use it very much and so the belt I had may well Have deteriorated. However I had a replacement belt that I believe came with the unit and, while it was very hard to install, I think I got it in and the same problem happened. |
For the prices Audio Union asks for CEC CD players, they should be more accommodating. I almost bought a CDT (forget the model) before I went with my Technics CDP and the price at the time was around $1700. They even had package deal offers with belts, CD weights, etc. that made it more of better deal. Then all of a sudden, their prices shot up while the ones from Japan stayed fairly consistent. It was around the time that CDPs and CDTs were making a big comeback and these forums were full of threads on what was best and what to buy. A long time ago some member here said it was just a matter of rewiring something near the IEC inlet that would make it suitable for US markets. I can't vouch for that but an online search showed others saying the same thing. All the best, |
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@rustler I don’t have a CEC, but if you are able maybe try to clean the lens to see if that helps. Also, if you need a belt Atelier 13 in Nashville sells CEC transports and the website seems to indicate that they sell just the belt as well - see page below https://www.atelier13-usa.com/digital-authorised-brands/c-e-c-tl-5-cd-transport |
@rustler I can't answer about belt freeze up I don't have a belt driven transport. Maybe reach out to Atelier 13 and ask since they appear to carry the belt if it possibly does. Also, maybe they can tell you how to clean the laser if you're unsure |
Check out these Dindiki belts from Germany. They're made out of silicon and are permanently dimensionally stable unlike those black butyl belts which rot and deform. Just scroll down to see your model. All the best, |
I purchased a used TL-5 in Europe, and while I have had no problems with the transport, I was able to replace the remote with an older/different version that I preferred, and it was done solely through direct contact with Ken Ishiwata (not the Marantz legend) of CEC in Japan. He was very responsive and helpful. So while it may not be necessary in this case, that is always an option. |