Marantz sa-1 stop playing

Zar, I agree, it is extremely disagreeable to contemplate trashing a good bit of $1k kit over the lack over a $50 part. Manufacturers are at the mercy of their laser suppliers and it is obvious that Marantz chose some troublesome lasers, judging from the numerous online comments about frequent replacements. In fairness, it's not just Marantz that suffers from this problem. I would definitely call Marantz's customer service and see what they've got too say. It has been at least six months since I went through my experience with a bad laser, maybe their engineering department has worked out a replacement package that works. (I also wondered if the repair facility I used was simply tired of working on my player- that was its third laser replacement- and claimed they couldn't successfully install the Marantz replacement parts.) As to the Ebay seller's claim of a "one fits all" replacement, I'd be dubious about that one. Marantz customer service can verify the part number needed and you can judge from that point.

Photon46,
I had a bad experience with an EMM CDSA SE blowing up on me. Though I was able to have it repaired I sold it off. The experience taught me how vulnerable 1-box solutions are. I now have a PS Audio transport and AMR DP-777 DAC and could not be happier. If the transport fails it can be repaired -- or replaced at half the retail cost on the aftermarket.

Photon, thanks for the advice. Yea I just can't pull the trigger on the ebay deal. Paul at Tube Research Labs has done lots of mods on Marantz Sa players and claims they are built like tanks and has never seen a laser mech go out. Sounds contradictory but.. I'll take the next steps and keep in touch. Thanks.

Sabai, a transport or computer + dac is one workaround for the problem of a useless player one can't get repair parts for. I just have preferred the convenience and neater appearance of one box players. We can all see the writing on the wall though, time's a coming when the one box player's going to be a technological anachronism.

Photon46,
Agreed. But for me it not only solves the problem of a one-box breakdown leaving me high and dry. It also give me the opportunity to have two excellent components in my system. The PS Audio transport and the AMR DP-777 are a match made in heaven.