I’m afraid my Audio Aero Capitole mk2 has died

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I must agree, sadly, that it’s time to look at something else. 

Well, when my CD player died a few years back, I scrapped it, purchased an excellent new very high-end streaming DAC, a music server, and never looked back.  I haven't spun a CD since.  Happy listening.  

You'll be happy with streaming. If you set up correctly, streaming should exceed CDs on SQ.  Best of luck.

Maybe call Signature Sound in NY. He was an AA dealer and may be able to assist you. The owner is a tech and handles warranty repairs for several lines. Worth a call at least.

Long Shot, you never know, you might get lucky:

What if a button that engages MUTE is stuck, on the remote or the unit.

You could take the batteries out of the remote to see if you get lucky. If a MUTE button exists on the unit, try taking the cover off, see what moves or doesn’t move.

I got lucky a few times, by taking remote controls apart, hosing the board/contacts, all moving parts with alcohol, cleaning all the traces/contacts with a small artist’s brush, blow dry with my compressor, working again.

Sometimes, the rubber buttons don't move right, gummed up with peanut butter or jelly.