SACD/CD Drive Mechanism Replacement


Greetings!

I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question…

I’m  considering purchasing a used SACD/CD player.  I’m concerned that at some point the drive will give out. 
 

If I bought a replacement drive for it right away and just stored it; can anyone install it when the time comes, or must the original manufacturer do it?

 

I appreciate your help!

Best wishes,

Don

no_regrets

No need to worry.  I bought an Esoteric SACD player with the VRDS NEO transport in 2008 and still use it a few times every week.   It has worked perfectly for 16+ years.  I love the player.  

To  echo GDHP, it depends upon the brand.  Check with the manufacturer before you purchase used to determine if the are supporting the model and ask what laser and transport was used, proprietary or OEM.  I had a bad experience with a Linn Unidisc 1.1. Great sounding disc player.  Linn used a proprietary laser and when it failed as all lasers eventually do, they informed me they moved onto streaming and do not support disc format players any more.  I will never buy Linn again.  When you spend multiple 5 figures on a product  you (or at least I) expect more than 10 years of support.  Check first as I recommended.   

If you don't have a large collection of SACD/CDs forget it and go with streaming. Qobuz hi res albums are usually as good as SACDs or at least very close.

@jsalerno277  very good point, much appreciated.

@ghdprentice @mazian  You both might be right... that I should consider streaming.  I have to admit, I am very much old school.  Hence my vinyl rig that I love so much.  I don't have the first clue about streaming, so I have a lot to learn about that.  I don't even know where to start.

Best wishes,

Don