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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
mrdecibel
3,049 posts
 
n80 More, the analog output stage, but yes, the digital section feeding the analog output section ( toasted ). If the digital stage was completely toasted, it would not feed the Rotel. The Arcam is now being used as a transport, and there are good dacs for not much money for your higher end system, if you want to go that route. The workings of cd / dvd players are much more complicated than this, but I am trying to simplify it. Enjoy ! MrD.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Thanks MrD. I think I will leave my explorations at that and keep this Arcam with the Rotel/B&W system. Sad end for it but better than the garbage can.

I also noticed that the HDCD indicator light came on several times while playing a non HDCD CD. The disk was recorded in Q Sound but I don't think that has anything to do with HDCD
mrdecibel
3,049 posts
 
It can be a defect, but some cds were recorded with the HDCD process, without any indication of it. Try a book on the Sony ( even without changing the feet, and see ( hear ), if you can hear a difference. Do it while a cd is playing. A hard covered book ( based on music, lol ) is best. Enjoy ! MrD.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,368 posts
 
Keep us posted if you fix the Arcam- n80.
Happy Listening!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
On the front it does say: CD92 dCS Ring DAC and HDCD.
Oh yes this is still a good one even if it doesn’t have the T on the back. Just that if it has the T it has the last best HDCD chip in it the PMD200, instead of the older PMD100.

BTW there is a list of over 5,000 HDCD CD’s floating around on the net, and yes more than 1/4 do not have any indication on them that they are HDCD.

Cheers George
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