Marantz CD63 ki Laser

[admin_exported]

I thought I would buy a few different hifi components which I have always been interested in and see how they actually sound. These would be from ebay, the units I like I will keep and the rest will get sold back on ebay.

I picked up a Marantz CD63 KI Signature yesterday and I must admit it is a lovely sounding machine. However I have noticed that sometimes it wont play certain CD's. It will spin and display the total tracks and total time but wont play. Other times it will play but wont get past tracks 6 or 7. It seems to play most of the perfect/unmarked CD's without any issues all the way through to the last tracks but if it is even slightly marked it struggles with it.

All my other disc spinners at home can play these discs without any issues. Could this mean the laser is on its way out? I know its quite common for these laser assemblies to fail over time. I have had a look inside the lid and the unit has a Philips L1210/11 CD carriage. Any ideas where I can get an original replacement laser for this?

As always, any help is much appreciated.

 

[Inter_Voice]

It seems your CD63 laser mechanism is faulty.

Try searching eBay an item "cdm 12.1" or "vam 1202" and you will find the replacement laser mechanism for CD63 which costs between £10 to £16. Order one and then following the procedure in this link:

http://www.iangclark.net/projects/CD63/CD63.html

You should be able to complete the DIY within 30 minutes. It is easy.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply, are the ones on ebay original parts? Also I have heard that there are 2 different types of CD clamps (black or grey) and the replacement lenses all come with black clamps which may not be compatible.

 

[Inter_Voice]

Yes they are original parts. Phillips' products but manufactured in China. You can see the part number and Phillips label in the laser mechanism.

Nowadays you can only find VAM 1202 in eBay which is compatible with its original model CDM12.1. I have also changed one for my CD63 MKII KI which works quite well without any problem.

The only difference of CDM 12.1 vs VAM 1202 is the strength of magnetic pull of the magent used to hold the CD in the clrcular clampping unit. The magnetic strength of VAM1202 is less than CDM 12.1 and thus the CD might occassionally slip, but very rarely to my knowledge. If you are worry then you can stick a strong small round magnet of about 10mm dia x1-2mm thick onto the top of the clampping unit (there is a metal plate on it) to increase its holding strength, but I think that is not necessary.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for the reply, I have looked on ebay and almost all of the laser mechanisms are being sold from China. There is a company which offers them for as little as £15 but the same company also sells the same item which they have described as original Philips for around £25. Also there is a company selling just the laser with the ribbon cable. Would this be the better option as I am guessing I wouldnt need to unsolder anything this way.

Sorry for all the questions but I dont want to order the wrong part.

Thanks

 

[Inter_Voice]

Yes you may just buy the laser head costing for less than £10. This has the advantage of leaving the clamping device and the two motors untouched. But still you need to take the L1210 out from the CDP as the ribbon cable is under the laser mechanism. If I were you I will buy the whole mechanism.

The problem you mentioned about the black and grey clamp only applied to the drive of CD67 and not CD63.

Lastly if you are worry about products from China you may try this UK dealer but I am not sure if the product is actually the same one from China or not:

http://www.chsinteractive.co.uk/electrical-components/spares-television-audio-video/audio-cd-dvd-vcr-spares/laser-optical-heads-cd-dvd-assemblys-original/philips-8/cdm12-1-vam1202-12-laser-optical-head-mechanism-original-philips.htm

BTW if you also want to change the tray loading belt you can buy one from the same dealer:

http://www.chsinteractive.co.uk/electrical-components/misc/cd48-belt-loading-marantz.htm

The belt for CD48 is the same as the one on CD63 or CD67. Belt internal dia 35mm.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok got home a little late today and thought I would try to remove the old lens mechanism but I couldn't figure out how to release the ribbon cable. Feeling a little disappointed hitting a hurdle so early I had a quick look at the lens and found it was quite dirty with a fair amount of dust speckles around the edges. Well a little air duster and 5 minutes later I am now using a player that has managed to play anything I have thrown at it. Hope it stays this way and I'm a happy bunny :dance:

Thanks again for all your advice. I think I will probably buy a spare lens and belt just incase.

 

[Inter_Voice]

Nice that you have fixed the problem. Enjoy your music from CD63.

BTW if you have time you may wish going thro' diyaudio.com and you can find a lot of suggested mods for CD63. After modding your CD63 can sound something like a CDP of £3K+. That is my personal experience .

 

[Anonymous]

In case I need to change the lens at a later stage can you advice on how to remove the ribbon cable?

Thanks

 

[Inter_Voice]

No problem, just follow the procedure in this link that I gave you earlier:

http://www.iangclark.net/projects/CD63/CD63.html

But you still need to take the CD drive out.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for your reply, I was trying to follow that guide last night and the part where its written

The mechanism is connected using 3 connectors, 1 ribbon cable and 2 wire connectors - don't pull on the wires - pull on the connector itself. The ribbon cable connector - the top edge lifts slightly to release the ribbon.

I dont understand what they mean by the top edge?

 

[Mooly]

Have a read at post #2 here as it may help. The main issue with these pickups is pld hardened grease.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/212325-original-meridian-508-skipping-disc-reading-problem.html

Edit... the "top edge" reffered to is a locking bar to secure the flexiprint in the socket. It should be gently prised forward (but not removed as it is captive).

 

[Inter_Voice]

In the ribbon connector there is a locking device on top to secure the ribbon. Just pull the lock on top of the socket out and you can then pull the ribbon out. With the lock on, it is difficult to pull out the ribbon and may also damage it if you do it by force. You will understand when you see the device.

 

[Anonymous]

I still cant see this locking device :wall:

I can see the white ribbon cable which has a blue plastic cover at the ends. The ribbon cable is connected in a semi circle shape between the 2 connectors. Is the release device on the inside or the outside of this semi circle? (sorry if that sounds confusing)

I have stripped several phones before so thought the release for the ribbon would be similar but its not. Is there a chance that some of the cd63 ki players had different connections?

Also I know the remote does not have a power standby button but can the player be put to stanby using another remote? possibly 1 of the marantz amplifier remotes.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Inter_Voice]

Mohsin@ Can't expain more in words and I am sure you will understand what I mean when you take the unit out. Trust me it is not difficult to remove the ribbon cable from the connector. No need to worry too much.

On standy issue, I don't think you can do that as the circuitry of CD63 does not include any standby function. You need to switch on and off the CDP by pressing the on/off button phyllically.