Repair my Sony CDP 608 ESD?


I have a very clean Sony 608 ESD, I bought it brand new in 1986. So I can not complain that it has been a good sounding and flawless performing player all these 29 years. So, lately it is getting touchy, and skips at the slightest footfall, the laser head must be going out? I've been shopping for a replacement, looking at used Esoteric's and Marantz's, used in the $1k to $2.5k range. and am wondering if I may be better served if I just had this unit repaired? In fact, even if I do buy another used CD player, maybe I should have it repaired anyway, just so I can resell it and save it from the scrap heap? Does anyone know of a good shop that I could have the repairs made at a reasonable cost? Any thoughts on a replacement? Thanks in advance.

Russ
alpha_gt
Greetings.

unlike most people responding to this op, I own a 608 esd since new. It will go head to head against any player I've tried. The technology to properly reproduce 16 bit 44k has been perfected long ago, and this Sony was way ahead of the pack. I've had marantz 6004 and  marantz 8005. I still own the 8005. I also still own my 608. The Marantz is a great cdp.., but no better than the Sony 608. That's a fact. The 608 is truly an unbelievable cdp both in build quality and performance. 
Russ-

I too enjoy those older Sony ES spinners. Parts will not be easy to find.
You can search eBay for another player like yours and strip it for the part(s) needed.  Keep me posted & Happy Listening!
"I am buying a Cary 306 that's 4 years old, hopefully it will last me a good while"

I congratulate you on deciding against repairing your Sony. FWIW, it's a familiar dilemma. If the Cary gives out, take a serious look at the Oppo 105D (or 103D). Right out of the box, it's crazy good (and affordable). 
yes the Cary is fantastic! Maybe not as dynamic as the Sony was, and sounded kind of bland at first. But after listening to it all these months and really listening, its just smoother in the treble and is less fatiguing. but the BASS! wow such nice bass. clear, strong bass, I'm a bass player and I've never heard what the bass player is doing as well as I do now. Tight extended bass, but not bass heavy, of course the mids are beautiful, but I find that good mid range reproduction is not hard to come by, its the extremes that are difficult. It will be a long time before I shop for another CD player, the Sony lasted me 30 years! so i can't complain. 

And thanks Tony, I have heard many great things about the Oppo, it was up for consideration but I just got the price on this Cary, sometimes money talks. 
I like Cary spinners as well.  The only thing that Oppo has going, in that, it is a catch all player.  Othewise, there are much better separate DVD + CD/SACD players.