Hi All, my first post - looking for some knowledge on an old CDP-X707ES I finally pulled out of the attic to try and repair.

This is one of the old 'Solidly Built' ES range, with very over-engineered electronics. Intention was to see how good it sounds in stock form, then convert it to a transport only. Last links below are a couple of photographs of the outside and inside.

Machine was skipping badly at the outside edge of longer CD's - applying a bit of outward pressure against the laser assy was enough for it to track properly. I tried stripping, cleaning and re-lubing the sled assembly, and this improved things but not resolved them.

Looking at the rubber suspension, this was pretty much bottomed out and had no spring in it - I stripped this and cleaned the rubbers plus re-lubed the poles the rubbers and mounting cups screw into. Things are now much better - but it still has tracking issues on the outside edge of older long discs. New ones are fine.

So, I guess both the whole mech assembly has sunk a bit over time, plus the flexible plastic lens arm has sagged on the KSS-272A laser unit.

Mech suspension system (there are springs under each of these - different rates in each position)
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235396.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235391.html

Laser lens suspension system (white plastic arm);
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235387.html

Does anyone have a working Sony player with the same mech? I took some measurements to understand where the issue really lies;
- for the whole mech on the rubber grommets I measured between top of spindle platform (where disc sits) and the CD tray "smalll CD single" part. It is 6mm.
- for the lens suspension (my guess on the biggest issue) I measure between the top of the lens, and the metal base below it (as per photo above). That's 7mm.

I'm guessing it needs to be raised a mm or 2 - any ideas on how best to try this? I'm wondering about applying some flexible glue on the joints, but I first need to know what the static height should be. Either that or I go and buy a new laser unit...but they're €139! Would rather fix on the cheap.

I'm going to try it as is for now; it plays new short and long plus old short CD's fine. But I wonder how much error correction is going on as a result of the worn suspension, and ultimately what impact that will have on sound quality (error correction means it will be extrapolating between several data points at a time - even more info lost compared to analogue!).

Thanks - below are a few links of the machine overall. I love the over-engineering. Damn thing weighs ~40lbs (17KG?)! Retail price in mid-90's was 1800 $'s or £'s I believe - can anyone say for sure?

Cheers, Richard
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235392.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235388.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235394.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235389.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235390.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235393.html
http://richard-dowsett.fotopic.net/p39235395.html

Very nice player ! I would love to own one.

Looks like it will be quite a challenge to get this repaired just right for it to work fine all the time.

Maybe you could find the information you seek in the service manual ? They can be had all over the web for about $10-15...

You can find some more info about the player itself at Axel's site:

http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyes/CDPX707ES/CDPX707ES.html

If you are lucky, maybe a new laser assembly will pop up on ebay.

I got lucky on a new laser assy for my dvp-ns900v for only 20 bucks instead of having to pay 75 for it new.

Good stuff - checking photos on Axel's site there's one of the laser assembly: it shows the rubber grommets installed the other way up! However, the service manual shows them the same way as mine (I've never changed their orientation, but the machine was in a repair shop during 99 according to sticker on the back).

I wonder which way is correct? :)

Re. the service manual - X707ES I have, but it only has differences to X779ES which relate to audio and DAC ccts. It doesn't have a detailled set-up procedure. So I'm looking for a full CDP-X779ES manual too - so far, ones I've found are cct's, pcb layouts and part listings only...I want a full one with the mech set-up stuff too.

Thanks, Richard

Richard,

The image below is taken from a c. 1992/93 catalog. It is quite possible some parts were left out for a better photograph. The service manual should hold the proper assy' drawing and description but I don't have it.

However, I've used the X7ESD and my own two X777ES at angles defying proper use recommendations and they played with no skipping at all... both used the older mech assy' but I don't think this would make a difference.
The list of links on TVK should lead you to one of the usual online suppliers of SMs.


More urgent perhaps: if you can still find a new laser block, DO NOT WAIT ! Buy one, buy even two, because when these will be withdrawn from inventory, your X707ES masterpiece will become completely and definitively useless!! That is the only reason I have two X777ES and not, more simply, one player with a spare block tucked away in a drawer.
Buying another X707ES will cost you much more than 140$ and it won't be new either. The KSS-272 was used in quite a few players so you still can find some (unlike for the X777ES) but none of them will be new and shipping a full X505ES or X707ES will also be much more expensive than the few grams of a laser block ...so... don't wait ;-)

Thanks Axel - OK, I go buy one, you convinced me.

The photo you loaded is the one - if you look at my photos, the rubber mounting grommets are up the other way. Manual parts list shows them as per mine (let me know via PM if you want a X707ES manaul), but maybe that's an error... Need to check a working one to see.

Richard

Tried swapping the grommet orientation round last night - but it makes the mech sit too high and it fouls the tray. The Sony photo was probably done like that for cosmetic reasons!

Off to order a spare laser unit today if I can, I'll then measure static lens height differences between new and old and try and address the issue. Seems a shame to scrap a whole laser assy due to a crappy plastic joint.

I listened to it for the first time last night too; big fat bassy presentation and very laid back (at low volumes, anyhow). Very precise soundstage. But I'm not sure I like it compared to my old cheap Yamaha with the anaologue stage ripped out and replaced with discrete components. More listening required, and at higher volume levels.

Richard

Do keep the old laser as it might just need minor servicing.

Sound-wise, be sure to check both RCA and XLR outputs: very different "presentation" due to very different circuits.

Hey if you don't like it, I'll take it ! :drool:

What other components are you using it with ?

Good luck with the repairing, and the listening! My offer stands :D

Thanks - yep, seen the cct differences. Don't think I'll bother listening to the variable output (even period reviews were dismissive!), but will try the balanced xlr in due course.

This is the only real old-timer on the system, although none of my kit is new. Naim NAC62 pre (with home made custom PSU), feeding a Mark Levinson 29 currently (but also have home made push-pull and SE valve amps) driving Sonus Faber Concertos.

Listened more now - sound staging and imaging is excellent with a fairly large but; space around individual sounds gets very fuzzy when frequencies are similar. Still trying to get used to the big bass too! If I had to live with it as is, I'd prefer the old Yamaha I have; it's a more stable and clean presentation across all music types. But for simple vocal tracks the Sony shows what it is capable of.

I'll be playing with PSU and DAC circuits to try and squeeze the best out of it, but need to be careful as I do not want to butcher such a classic with a bunch of DIY mods. I'll most likely remove most digital and audio boards, and fit a home made DAC into the same space. That way I can see how good this transport really is, and convert back to original should I ever choose to sell.

Will hear back on laser availability on Monday - fingers crossed!

Richard

Edited to add: in reality, I guess all my equipment is from the same era...but most is modified.