Sony M555ES - skipping etc - is it self fixable?

[metalmancpa]

I have not used my CD changer for a while now. But since upgrading to the RX-A3020, I have the desire for some CD listening again, instead of just the digital world I've been listening to.

The M555ES changer has been sitting on the rack unused for years. After hooking up the new system, I turned on the changer. It transports the CD's fine and gets to my choice, but when it starts playing, songs skip. You can see the time sticking or reversing a second here or there. Is this a laser pickup issue, that if I replace that part it may solve the problem?

 

[Adam]

...I have the desire for some CD listening again, instead of just the digital world I've been listening to.

I hate to break it to you, but...

Is this a laser pickup issue, that if I replace that part it may solve the problem?

I agree that it's likely a laser issue, but I wouldn't start with replacing it. I'd just try to clean it off first. Having sat around, the lens probably has dust on it that is making it difficult to track. I'd start by just blowing some air (compressed air, fan, or a hair dryer on a cooler setting) into the assembly with the door open. I'm not familiar with that changer, so I don't know if you can see the laser lens with the door open (I've always had tray players/changers).

 

[Pyrrho]

You will probably want to open it up and clean the lens manually, if you are "handy." Ideally, you would use something made for cleaning camera lenses. There is a good chance this will work, and there is also a very good chance that it will not and you will be looking at either a very expensive repair, or it will be time to replace it. But try cleaning the lens first.

 

[Scott NY]

I have a very similar situation to metalmancpa. My M555ES changer sat in a closet for years and I had the exact same problem when I reconnected it. Not being overly handy, I took advantage of Sony's program to repair it for $119 flat rate and mailed it in.

After first being told it was damaged in shipping and Sony would have to advise what to do, the next email said it was being shipped from the repair facility to Sony. To make a long story short, Sony informed me via email today that, "...at this time the technicians have determined that the optical disc tray has issues and failure of the unit is imminent. Unfortunately we no longer have the parts needed to continue with the repair process..." I am not sure I know what to think of this. Shouldn't a part like this be around for a decade or two after the last units are coming out of warranty? Am I expecting too much? Does anyone have any other ideas?

Aside from the money invested in it and the little use it had, this unit was important to me as I was going to load all the remaining CDs I have lying around my house in to it. Using the Slink-E, I can keep track of each CD for when I want it and take up may less space than 400 CDs. This is exactly what I do with my other, working M555ES. Any thoughts? Everyone's input would be much appreciated.

 

[j_garcia]

Manufacturers usually only stock components for about 7 years; after that, you're on your own. That doesn't mean the components don't exist, just means you'll have to find them elsewhere, or find another unit like it. My 222ES had some tray issues that I had repaired for $89 (for a $20 flex cable), and it worked fine for over a decade until it was stolen. The tray was starting to have the same issue again though, since the cable wasn't a very stout one, so I probably wasn't going to repair it again and they probably didn't have the parts anymore either. So in the end, while it sucks, I'd probably let it go at this point.

 

[metalmancpa]

Well, I went the route of getting a new optical part after cleaning didn't fix anything. Old fumble fingers here busted the new part while trying to replace it, but the investment in the part wasn't that much. So now I'm just ripping all of the CD's in VBR (not lossless because I can handle the trade-off of sound to file size) and will toss the unit once I have completed my transfers.

 

[j_garcia]

Toss it on Ebay for a few bucks. Someone else might need parts.