Arcam CD 73 not loading disc - see on YouTube

[loonytunes]

I wonder if anyone can help!

I have a good condition Arcam CD73T which is not loading any CD's at all and wonder what the faulty component is likely to be?

I have uploaded it for all to see on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndwJZwV5pYg hoping that someone might know which part I need (or what I can do to adjust something)!

Thank you all in anticipation...

[StanleyB]

Not enough beam current from the laser pickup. Normally it is the laser pickup that has gone faulty. Get one from HERE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-CD73-Laser-Brand-new-spare-part-/121050089665?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item1c2f25c8c1).

[loonytunes]

Thanks Stan - do you know if it's easy to fit yourself (I'm not much of a DIY type) although I am good at putting together computers (but that's easy and there's no soldering involved).

Also I've not tried simply cleaning the lens - do you think that may cure it?

Also Arcam say it's 50/50 the laser head or the display board (in their experience of that fault when described over the phone).

It's got a good sound and I want to resurrect it without considering it a write off.

[Rare Bird]

It's worth trying for a tenner surely! i can't see it being anything other than what Stan pointed out..

I thought the 'CD72' drawer closed more smoothe imho

[loonytunes]

OK I have just bought it thanks!

Are these things easy to fit?

[StanleyB]

It depends on how careful you are. I haven't opened up a CD73 myself, but hare are a few quick tips that will come in handy.

The CD tray on some machines can be pulled out with the CD mechanism still in the case, whilst other require you to slide out the front plate on the CD tray and then slide out the mechanism.
On some machines the suspension springs in each corner of the mechanism are of different stiffness. So mark each spring with a number from 1 to 4 and also make a note which corner of the mechanism it came from. I used to put each spring by its own en a little plastic bag as used for components etc. I then added a sticky note in the bag with the location of that spring.
The CD tray needs to be extended before you can get to the sliding bar that the CD pickup is mounted on.
Keep your dirty fingers off the lens and any electronic components. Only touch the black plastic section on the pickup. Use a pair of surgical gloves if you can. The local chemist might be able to sell you a pair. If that fails, I got some medium sized ones that you can have. I buy them by the box of 50 to use in the workshop.

[loonytunes]

Thanks Stan - I will at least attempt to fumble through the install.

If I for some reason do not succeed - am I able to post the CD player to you for repair?

I know you are busy with your DACs but I thought I would ask just in case...

[StanleyB]

I only look at stuff people bring round in person. I have had a couple of bad experiences with CD players sent through the post and learnt my lesson from that.

[jollyfix]

Thanks for all the info, the same thing happened to my Arcam 73 (Glastonbury set up ) just before xmas,
fortunately i spent xmas in London so could use my set up there (Rega System, Saturn cd, Brio amp).

[loonytunes]

Stanley (or anyone) I have taken the player apart and on this YouTube clip you can see the laser trying to focus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoFTcXAaJ3c

And this is perhaps a clearer clip of the problem as it occurs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neF4vSayoJ8

Before the above clips I went about cleaning the lens, and took photos along the way showing clearly the interior of the Arcam and Sony transport (and the method I used to clean the lens)...

http://campl.us/fZS9C90CeSi

Just in case anyone maybe able to spot anything further above and beyond Stan's recommendation... it was a useful exercise for me to reveal the lens although it's likely to be more intricate trying for fit a new lens which is on it's way in the post from Stan's eBay referral.

Also I have found this thread on the Internet where the problem was the display board; assuming that the display board is the circuit board behind the display!
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=digital&m=124160