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Topic: cambridge audio CD5 laser issue (Read 8345 times) previous topic - next topic
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cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Hi knowledgeable people. Really hope you can help.

I have a cambridge audio CD5 player that has been playing up for some time.  It has trouble reading discs (TOC) and this was always helped by a jog or a kick. Problem has evolved and there are certain discs that it wont play despite reading TOC. It tries to play the tracks 1 by 1 but fails. Most discs it is just track 1 that it wont play. I decided that it must be the laser unit so ordered a replacement. First one that came had a clear lens but i the unit i had had a blue lens. Tracked one down with a blue lens and set about fitting it. With new laser unit the Player wont even spin the CD. Have tried the calibration pot but makes no difference. Am i missing something? Am i stupid to think that its an easy job? The Laser unit on the CD5 is a sony KSS-213C. Grateful for any help.

regards
Pete

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #1 –
Our knowledge here on HA tends to be focused on areas of audio other than repair, unfortunately, I can't offhand think of a forum where you might get more knowledgeable people about such repair issue.

If I were to *speculate*, I would have to wonder about the condition of the laser motor -- if that wasn't replaced in the same assembly as the laser itself -- or perhaps the electronics for the servo loop that controls the tracking of the laser.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #2 –
I really don't know how hard it is to change, but am curious why a bad laser would specifically have problems with track 1.

The purpose of a colored lens would be to keep stray light of a different color than the laser from getting into the sensor.  If it is dark in the playing compartment, then shouldn't make any difference.  That's usually the case.  If there's a window to watch the CD spin around, then *maybe* it would help.

Edit: For better or worse you are past this point, but the first and easiest fix to try is just cleaning the lens with alcohol and a Q-tip.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #3 –
My father has some mediocre Denon CD player, like 10 years old. And it won't read CDs burned faster than about 30x at all. CDs burned between 8x and 20x have a varying percentage of songs skipped. At 4x, everything is just fine. But at 10x, the first song is usually unplayable, at 12x, the first two songs and so on... I can't really provide any explanation for that but it just works that way. Pressed CDs play perfectly fine, it's probably not a matter of wear-and-tear.

Not sure if this might be your case as well as you did not mention the origin of the CDs.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #4 –
Thank you for responding. I had trouble finding a forum that looked better than this so figured it was worth a shot. It is pressed cd's as well as cdr's that wont play. I guess i am confused that the new laser unit didnt work at all even though it carries  the same part number. I would have thought that if it wasnt a laser issue then at worst i would have had the same problem after replacing. Loathed to get rid of the player as when it works it is great but cant afford to get it fixed elsewhere. Maybe i will have to count my losses.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #5 –
Quote from: tangent1 on
Thank you for responding. I had trouble finding a forum that looked better than this so figured it was worth a shot. It is pressed cd's as well as cdr's that wont play. I guess i am confused that the new laser unit didnt work at all even though it carries  the same part number. I would have thought that if it wasnt a laser issue then at worst i would have had the same problem after replacing. Loathed to get rid of the player as when it works it is great but cant afford to get it fixed elsewhere. Maybe i will have to count my losses.

I have no knowledge of this particular CD player or laser assembly, but I will make this observation:

Some laser assemblies are just simple drop-in and replace parts. But others (the older Philips CDM1 comes to mind) require very careful alignment using extremely expensive setup discs. So it's possible that the Sony unit your CD5 has is of the type that needs proper calibration.

I reckon your best chance of finding some knowledge in this area would be on the DIY Audio Forums. I see it has a "Digital Sources" group.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #6 –
Hi All...
Turns out that there was a solder short circuit jumper on pcb that needed removing before new laser unit would operate. Who'd have thought... player now working as new. Thanks to all that responded

Regards

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #7 –
I had a similar problem to yours. I thought I was going to have to replace my whole system.  I was sure if it was a short in my floor standing speakers or if it was just the cd player itself. I found out it was the laser.  I decided that it was a good reason to upgrade from a cd player to an ipod.  I am happy with my choice, but there is something great about putting in a cd.  I miss looking at the cd art and covers.  I'm glad you were able to fix your audio problem on your cd player.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #8 –
Quote from: tangent1 on
Hi All...
Turns out that there was a solder short circuit jumper on pcb that needed removing before new laser unit would operate. Who'd have thought... player now working as new. Thanks to all that responded


I had the same one. And i'm glad i came across that "hint" long before i turned the whole internet upside down. Thanks.

cambridge audio CD5 laser issue

Reply #9 –
You probably won't want to hear this but I very much doubt there was anything wrong with the original laser unit.

I have fixed the sort of symptoms you describe - in several different CD players by cleaning the laser positioning mechanism.  I believe the problem relates to dust accumulating in the grease that lubricates the components involved in the laser head positioning.

In 4 different machines, on several occasions for a couple of them, a clean and re-lube has always fixed the problem.