Post by hyfygy December 31, 2012 (1 of 10)
|
|
I have a Sony SCD 555ES, which is the best player I have owned to date. I have had it since May 2001, but more and more frequently, it is not reading my CD-R discs (it says "TOC reading", then shows the disc details but will not play the cd - it just shows track no.1 and goes no further. It now has some difficulty and is slow in reading regular CDs. Both DSD single layer SACDs and hybrids read ok. I know that the machine was not meant to be used for CD-Rs and it is probably sacrilege to even play them on such a prestigious piece of kit, which still sounds amazing after weekly use of about 25 hours for the last 11.5 years!. However, I am not able to purchase a new machine of such high quality and wish to ask if anyone knows if it is the laser assembly that needs replaced and if so, is it still available and how much!! I am in Edinburgh ,Scotland
Thanks to anyone who can help me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can try cleaning both Laser lenses with a cotton swab moistened in water with a little coconut soapbar, but not wet.
If water enters into the laser circuit they will not work anymore.
If this not resolve, you will have to change the IC that controls the transport.
There is a IC in the main board that control the laser transport, look in the Service Manual(not Owner Manual) what is the IC code and where it is.
If the IC is SMD solded you will not able to replace this one :-((
Find what is the Firmware version on your player, maybe it is a old version.
You must buy a new IC with the lastest firmware version and install it.
Please Note: To change the iC it is need wear a static wristlet or some chips in the board may burn.
Good Luck.
|
|
|
Post by stvnharr December 31, 2012 (3 of 10)
|
|
hyfygy said:
I have a Sony SCD 555ES, which is the best player I have owned to date. I have had it since May 2001, but more and more frequently, it is not reading my CD-R discs (it says "TOC reading", then shows the disc details but will not play the cd - it just shows track no.1 and goes no further. It now has some difficulty and is slow in reading regular CDs. Both DSD single layer SACDs and hybrids read ok. I know that the machine was not meant to be used for CD-Rs and it is probably sacrilege to even play them on such a prestigious piece of kit, which still sounds amazing after weekly use of about 25 hours for the last 11.5 years!. However, I am not able to purchase a new machine of such high quality and wish to ask if anyone knows if it is the laser assembly that needs replaced and if so, is it still available and how much!! I am in Edinburgh ,Scotland
Thanks to anyone who can help me.
The early Sony 555 players are known for faulty lasers, and from what you describe, yours is stuffed. You can check with your local Sony Service Center about laser replacement, and proceed from there.
|
|
|
Post by hiredfox January 2, 2013 (4 of 10)
|
|
hyfygy said:
I have a Sony SCD 555ES, which is the best player I have owned to date. I have had it since May 2001, but more and more frequently, it is not reading my CD-R discs (it says "TOC reading", then shows the disc details but will not play the cd - it just shows track no.1 and goes no further. It now has some difficulty and is slow in reading regular CDs. Both DSD single layer SACDs and hybrids read ok. I know that the machine was not meant to be used for CD-Rs and it is probably sacrilege to even play them on such a prestigious piece of kit, which still sounds amazing after weekly use of about 25 hours for the last 11.5 years!. However, I am not able to purchase a new machine of such high quality and wish to ask if anyone knows if it is the laser assembly that needs replaced and if so, is it still available and how much!! I am in Edinburgh ,Scotland
Thanks to anyone who can help me.
Try re-booting it usually works
|
|
|
Post by stvnharr January 2, 2013 (5 of 10)
|
|
hiredfox said:
Try re-booting it usually works
Doing things like cleaning the laser or turning off and then on (re-boot) are things to try at first when there is a laser misread. But they do not correct a faulty laser that continually fails to read discs. Laser replacement is the only remedy.
The best source for a laser for your 555ES EU player is Sony. The early Sony's also require a calibration procedure for the new lasers to work properly. Unless you are a skilled diyer with knowledge of the Sony calibration procedure, it's best to just pay up and have Sony replace the laser.
|
|
|
Post by hyfygy January 2, 2013 (6 of 10)
|
|
Thanks to all who replied. Looks like a new laser is required. Maybe "bite the bullet" and just go for the Marantz SA-KI Pearl Lite. Anybody got any views on that machine?
|
|
|
|
|
|
hyfygy said:
I have a Sony SCD 555ES, which is the best player I have owned to date. I have had it since May 2001, but more and more frequently, it is not reading my CD-R discs (it says "TOC reading", then shows the disc details but will not play the cd - it just shows track no.1 and goes no further. It now has some difficulty and is slow in reading regular CDs.
If the problem is mainly with CD-Rs, you could try using different CD-Rs. Over time, manufacturers have used differing types of organic die, with different reflectivity characteristics, recognizable by the colour on the data side of the disc.
|
|
|
Post by stvnharr January 2, 2013 (8 of 10)
|
|
hyfygy said:
I have a Sony SCD 555ES, which is the best player I have owned to date. I have had it since May 2001, but more and more frequently, it is not reading my CD-R discs (it says "TOC reading", then shows the disc details but will not play the cd - it just shows track no.1 and goes no further. It now has some difficulty and is slow in reading regular CDs. Both DSD single layer SACDs and hybrids read ok. I know that the machine was not meant to be used for CD-Rs and it is probably sacrilege to even play them on such a prestigious piece of kit, which still sounds amazing after weekly use of about 25 hours for the last 11.5 years!. However, I am not able to purchase a new machine of such high quality and wish to ask if anyone knows if it is the laser assembly that needs replaced and if so, is it still available and how much!! I am in Edinburgh ,Scotland
Thanks to anyone who can help me.
hyfygy,
I should have read your OP more carefully! If the major issue is with CD-R's, I wouldn't be worried. When the laser goes, usually sacd reading is the first thing affected. Now that I've fully read your OP, you likely just need a "tune-up" and perhaps a recalibration of the laser. This should not cost much at your nearest Sony Service Center, likely only an hour of shop time.
|
|
|
Post by hiredfox January 4, 2013 (9 of 10)
|
|
hyfygy said:
Thanks to all who replied. Looks like a new laser is required. Maybe "bite the bullet" and just go for the Marantz SA-KI Pearl Lite. Anybody got any views on that machine?
No!
The 555 is near SotA and you'd need at least the SA11-S3 to match it and with the VSE mods the 555 is close to world's best standard.
If you really want to move on do your utmost to find a SA7-S1. they are no longer in production but there may be one or two new old stock around and certainly a few pre-owned ones come up from time to time on Audiogon and the like.
|
|
|
Post by stvnharr January 4, 2013 (10 of 10)
|
|
hiredfox said:
The 555 is near SotA and with the VSE mods the 555 is close to world's best standard.
Hyfygy,
HF is very much correct. The SCD 555 EU player is essentially and SCD-1 in a cheaper box, but near identical inside the box. The VSE Level 7 mods were originally designed with this player in mind. This is worth real consideration on your part, once you get laser issues sorted out.
|
|
