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Esoteric VRDS-NEO not reading discs

I have an Esoteric K-01 cd/sacd player that is around 7 years old.  Recently the transport tray began to have a problem.  It would only open part way on the first 3 trys.  I was told that it needed a new transport drive belt, so I replaced the belt and the tray opened fine.  However, now the laser does not read the disc consistently.  It has played fine for a few hours, but most of the time it reads "no disc" or "disc error."   have contacted Esoteric and there only response is that I need to send the unit to an authorized Esoteric repair center.  They also have told me that the service manual is not for sale to the public.  This unit has been off Warranty for many years.  The cost to send it to the repair center is over $100 each way.

All this trouble for a part that costs around $0.40 for a generic replacement, and $16 for an authentic belt from Esoteric.  This player cost around $20k new and it is  rendered inoperable after 7 years because of the failure of a cheap belt. I do not think I should have to pay hundreds of dollars to have it repaired.  It does not seem fair to me that Esoteric will not help me to fix this problem myself.

What do you think?  Is there anyone out there who can help me to understand what the problem is with the laser not reading discs properly?  I am willing to pay someone for their help.

russ751
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

My experience with CD players not reading discs is the laser is getting weak or failed. I’ve had problems like you describe on other manufacturers but have no knowledge about Esoteric. Good luck!

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,381 posts
 

I do not think shipping your CD player to Esoteric for around $200 both ways is too much for a 20K product is unreasonable. Your player has the same transport as mine, the VRDS NEO which is one of the best on the market.  If it is a laser problem, they use a special alignment jig to repair. Most likely in your DIY repair you bumped something in the laser assembly and it now needs to be realigned.    It does have to go back to Esoteric as no one else has that jig.  
 

Think about repairing an exotic car, it’s the same scenario.  I would bite the bullet and ship it out.  Otherwise, you now have a 20K boat anchor.  

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cleeds
5,943 posts
 

stereo5

I do not think shipping your CD player to Esoteric for around $200 both ways is too much for a 20K product is unreasonable...

+1. I know it can sting, but I consider occasional costs such as this just part of the hobby, even if obviously it's not the fun part. A product such as the Esoteric deserves the best service available, and it's a very specialized product.

Think about repairing an exotic car, it’s the same scenario.

Yes, it's part of the cost of ownership.

mastering92
870 posts
 

@russ751

Maybe try the Allsop CD Laser-Lens Cleaner before you send it off. Ultimate 8 brush system. After it loads, it instructs you skip a track and when to remove. It was the only one of its kind that worked for me after trying a few others. It worked right away. May also help with skipping CD-Rs.

The tray and pickup assembly probably just needs realignment and to be plugged out/in again with a power cycle. This is also an easy fix unless the CD player is seeking back and forth on its own. In that case, it is likely a mainboard issue: track 1, changes to track 5, then to track 2 etc. basically driving itself crazy.

 

russ751 OP
38 posts
 

I am hearing from a number of you that I should expect to have problems with the drive and laser pickup on my Esoteric K-01 after 7 years, and that I should expect an expensive repair from "experts."  My best response to these comments is that I have had one of Sony's original Sony ES sacd/cd players for over 20 years and it still functions perfectly.  It has never been in for repair or adjustment.

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