OscarEmmy
VHFSE Originator/Blogger
Hi, thought I'd share my experience of resolving an issue with this fine player - and also ask for a possible source of a simple looking part.
I bought the DCD 1500 II from a thrift store for $25. I later bought the remote from the auction site. The player was a fussy one - I couldn't predict which discs it would and would not read. Regardless of condition of disc, some it just would not pick up. As for CD-R discs - forget it! It would not read ANY CD-R. Those discs it read sounded excellent - other than a Carver (which I just sold and regret doing so), this is the best CD player I own, soundwise. When I would put in a disc not to its liking, it would make a horrible rattling/screeching noise, obviously spinning and spinning to try to find the start of the disc. I assumed the laser was defective, as I had read about so many times on line.
reluctant to dump the unit, which is superbly built, last night, the player failing to read several discs, I decided to have one last go at sorting it. Took off the cover, cleaned the lens and guides, rail, re-lubed rail. Still not reading. Inserted an MFSL copy of Songs from the Wood - read instantly. Put in a scratched up Jethro Tull Greatest Hits - would not read, and the disc clamp was rattling and shaking as it made multiple attempts to start the disc. CD-R, same disappointing result, with the disc clamp vibrating and making all kind of grating noises. :tears:
I decided to clean the disc clamp. Lifted the arm up and noticed that the upper clamp wheel has a fiber ring on it that makes contact with the label side of the CD, holding it down onto the turntable platter. This ring was not only filthy, but was way off center! I found that it was possible to push it bit by bit into a more central position. Tried the discs again and whaddya know? Worked flawlessly with every disc I threw at it, scratched, new, CD-R's, whatever!
The fiber pad is obviously worn, and I am sure now that this just needs replacing to restore the player to fully reliable order.
Any ideas what this fiber ring is called? If I don't know what it's called, I can't search for a possible source of a replacement. Better still, has anyone replaced one before and knows a source already? I suppose you could use a thin fiber washer and just glue it on the clamp wheel, but I would prefer to use a proper part, if possible. This may even be common to many CD players.
I'd appreciate members' help. I hope this will help owners to resolve a read problem that is mechanical and low tech, instead of mistakenly scrapping the machine, or paying through the nose for a replacement laser - which would not solve this problem anyway.
I bought the DCD 1500 II from a thrift store for $25. I later bought the remote from the auction site. The player was a fussy one - I couldn't predict which discs it would and would not read. Regardless of condition of disc, some it just would not pick up. As for CD-R discs - forget it! It would not read ANY CD-R. Those discs it read sounded excellent - other than a Carver (which I just sold and regret doing so), this is the best CD player I own, soundwise. When I would put in a disc not to its liking, it would make a horrible rattling/screeching noise, obviously spinning and spinning to try to find the start of the disc. I assumed the laser was defective, as I had read about so many times on line.
reluctant to dump the unit, which is superbly built, last night, the player failing to read several discs, I decided to have one last go at sorting it. Took off the cover, cleaned the lens and guides, rail, re-lubed rail. Still not reading. Inserted an MFSL copy of Songs from the Wood - read instantly. Put in a scratched up Jethro Tull Greatest Hits - would not read, and the disc clamp was rattling and shaking as it made multiple attempts to start the disc. CD-R, same disappointing result, with the disc clamp vibrating and making all kind of grating noises. :tears:
I decided to clean the disc clamp. Lifted the arm up and noticed that the upper clamp wheel has a fiber ring on it that makes contact with the label side of the CD, holding it down onto the turntable platter. This ring was not only filthy, but was way off center! I found that it was possible to push it bit by bit into a more central position. Tried the discs again and whaddya know? Worked flawlessly with every disc I threw at it, scratched, new, CD-R's, whatever!
The fiber pad is obviously worn, and I am sure now that this just needs replacing to restore the player to fully reliable order.
Any ideas what this fiber ring is called? If I don't know what it's called, I can't search for a possible source of a replacement. Better still, has anyone replaced one before and knows a source already? I suppose you could use a thin fiber washer and just glue it on the clamp wheel, but I would prefer to use a proper part, if possible. This may even be common to many CD players.
I'd appreciate members' help. I hope this will help owners to resolve a read problem that is mechanical and low tech, instead of mistakenly scrapping the machine, or paying through the nose for a replacement laser - which would not solve this problem anyway.