Onkyo DX-6900 First 2 Songs on CD Distorted

Seeking info from the experienced. I have an Onkyo DX-6900 given to me by a friend for CD playback. Lately I've noticed that the first 2 or 3 songs on a CD are somewhat cold, electronic and distorted sounding. Nothing extreme but nonetheless noticeable and irritating. By the 4th song things are smoothing out and by the 5th-6th song the sound is warm, clear and very good.

This happens on every CD. I even tried just playing a CD with the volume down as a warm up but the following CDs do the same thing.

Is this a sign that the laser is going bad? Not tracking correctly at first? If a tracking issue rather than laser strength is there a bearing in the laser head that can be lubed that would help this?

I could easily just ignore the problem because I just bought a Denon DCD-1290 on the bay and after it arrives (and checks out) I'll be giving the Onkyo back to my friend. But I'd like to be a good friend and at least try to deal with the problem first.

Cheers,
James

OK, well, "Selbst ist der Man" Fwiw I answered my own question.

I pulled the top of the player and cleaned all old grease from the drive gears and guide rail/track. After that I used some white synthetic grease on those gears that had some before and the laser guide rail & track. Rivolta S.K.D 4002 for anyone that's interested. And then used some lens cleaner made for plastic lens glasses on the laser.

After closing things up played Supertramp COTC and the player sounds fantastic. Better than when I first got it.

Cheers,
James

I have an Onkyo DX-706 that had the exact same problem when I first got it, and solved it the same way - only I used lithium grease. Instant problem solve. Tracks great now!

Happy trails,
Larry B.

Thanks for the confirmation Larry. Iirc the DX-706 is the US version of the DX-6850? I was looking at an used one on the bay for a very reasonable price but backed off because of the unobtanium KSS151a laser. But darn that thing looks like it's built better than an M-1 Abrams. How does it sound?

Cheers,
James

Perhaps. My 706 actually is a Euro version, 220v, that I'm running off of a transformer. It does look virtually identical to a 6850, though...no idea what the difference is, if any. I know there's a 708, an upgrade of the 706 with dual power supplies, a copper chassis and other goodies.

The sound is quite a bit better than my other players. I had a Philips/Marantz CD-80 for many years that I loved...this comes pretty close. Only thing I've heard that might be lots better is the Shanling with its tube output stage.

EDIT: After some research, it appears your 6900 is a close relative of the DX-710 (which I also own). Very nice machine.

Happy trails,
Larry B.

1tumbleweed said:

After some research, it appears your 6900 is a close relative of the DX-710 (which I also own). Very nice machine.

Happy trails,
Larry B.

Click to expand...

When it works correctly (like now) it sounds very good. Tomorrow the first of 2 Denon DCD-1290 players should arrive. I'm on pins n needles waiting to hear it/they sound.

Cheers,
James

The DX-6900 is going back to my friend tomorrow. It only took 2 CD's to decide that the Denon DCD-1290 is much better, more clarity, separation and detail. And it has a remote.

Cheers,
James