Yes it sounds like a bad laser. I recently replaced one in my Sony C15ESD... Cost about $150.
transport dying?
Lately my Rotel RDD-980 transport has been skiping, clicking, and having trouble reading discs. Would using a laser cleaner help? Would it be worth fixing? Would I be better off buying a new CD player with a digital out? It is at least three to five years old. I think in its day, it was a pretty good unit. I'd hate to toss it. I don't have any local repair shops. If I decide to fix it, I could use some recomendations on a good repair shop. Thanks---Matt