Theta Data Basic Transport Repair


I’m sure there’s some former Data owners on here that can answer my question fairly quick. I just acquired a Theta Data Basic and a DSP Pro Basic II. Haven’t tried the DAC but the Transport does not work… I’m sure no one is surprised. 
When I first powered on the transport the display came on but the drawer would not open so my first thought was the gear wheel drive. Could hear something rattling inside so my guess on that was correct. Pulled the drawer out of the case and indeed it’s destroyed.

When I pulled the drawer out and load a CD it does not spin the disc and ERR comes up on the display. Question is, does the same gear spin the disk so maybe this is an easy fix or no it’s a bigger problem and not worth the fix? The gear is cheap but quick search looks like eBay and sellers are in China. The case is in great shape so if I can fix cheap I’ll save it. 
Have not tried the DAC yet but the toggle switch (paddle snapped off) for polarity is busted so I’ll need to change that out.

Greatly appreciate thoughts on the gear if that also spins the drive.
adg101

Showing 1 response by acresverde

About 10-15 years ago the drawer on my Data Basic quit working and it turned out to be "the gear". I called Theta and they said they had one left and, for $100, they'd ship it. This is for a nylon gear no bigger than an inch in diameter, as I recall. They had me by the short hairs so I bit and made the repair. The unit still works to this day. I do not know the answer to your question about whether the gear works anything else, but I doubt it does. This is just a gear, I wouldn't be overly concerned about the source of the part.