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CD player just tanked.

Brief introduction: I just recently inherited a hifi system (Audio Research LS16 pre-amp, Proceed HPA2 amp, Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers, Arcam CD92 CD player). I'm new to this audiophile stuff but am enjoying the system and learning about it.

Was listening to Dark Side of the Moon CD tonight when suddenly it sounded like the music was coming out of a can. Put in another CD, same thing. My only other source of input is iTunes via a head phone jack/RCA Y cable into the pre-amp. That sounds fine.

So I'm assuming it is the CD player but it seems like an odd sort of issue. I think this CD player is probably 15 years old but I see similar models on eBay for $300+. Wondering if it is worth trying to repair or if that is even possible. I'm also wondering if this could be a problem with the CD input 'channel' on the pre-amp. I guess I could plug the CD into the Aux input on the pre-amp and see.

Any thoughts appreciated.
n80
n80 OP
2,117 posts
 
I drive VIR frequently. Awesome track. The other two tracks I drive are local unknowns but still lots of fun. Barber is on my list. About a six hour drive. I'll probably drive Road Atlanta this year.

Limerock and Watkins Glen would be great but I don't see me towing a car that far.

The fellow I go to events with has a '67 Mustang. He built every inch of it including the engine. 675 hp. No power steering. No power brakes. It is faster than you'd think in the corners (5 link suspension in the rear) and it is terrifyingly fast in the straights.

For me one of the great aspects of track driving is that you find out where you and your car stand right quick. It can be humbling....to be passed by a Miata.

I have video of me on the back stretch of VIR at about 140mph. A Ferrari 458 Challenge car was there for a test-n-tune. 18 wheeler support vehicle, engineers, tire warmers, etc. He comes by me and it looks like I'm going 30 mph. I'm guessing he was up around 175 mph. Wonderful sound.

Targa Florio in Sicily! Must have been wonderful.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
n80 OP
On the back of your Arcam CD92 there is a sticker, by any chance does it have a "T" after the CD92,
http://www.hifido.co.jp/photo/10/627/62793/i.jpg
If it does it’s very sought after having the "Ring Dac" D/A converter in it and the best/last HDCD chip PMD200, these are very good sounding units, worth fixing, if I wasn’t in Australia I’d be banging down your door to buy it, give me a price including post I'll buy it.

ARCAM DIVA CD92T: dCS RingDAC + PMD200, KSS-213C laser


Cheers George


n80 OP
2,117 posts
 
George, I looked at it quickly this morning but did not see a "T" on there. I'll look again when I get home from work.

On the front it does say: CD92 dCS Ring DAC and HDCD.
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
@n80 If the Rotel preamp or the Onkyo receiver has a built in dac, you can take a simple rca to rca cable and see if the Arcam’s coax digital out works. If it does, you can use it as a transport. If you are not hearing much difference between the Arcam and the Sony, just use the Sony. Change the isolation feet on the Sony and put a book on top of the chassis, and it will make an improvement ( this is if the Sony is a flimsy design, but works on many cd / dvd players ), without spending much money. Sell the unit to George, as, being you, I would not get it repaired. Enjoy ! MrD.
n80 OP
2,117 posts
 
I'm pretty sure it sounded better than the Sony. That was my immediate and initial impression. The more I listen to the Sony the less I notice but I am convinced as in many sensory things, we get used to what we're being exposed to. So I think my immediate impression was correct. But again, I do not have audiophile ears yet.

The Sony is extremely flimsy. You can pick it up easily with one hand and even then it feels light. The Arcam is stout and heavy.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a "transport"? Do you mean that even if the CD mechanism is broken I can use it as a DAC?
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