SONY CDPM-333 ES Wont play

[Quadzilla]

Hi All,
I'm having a problem w/my Sony CD changer where it wont load/play any CDs. When I turn it on, I can hear the sound it usually makes when it accesses the CD and displays track info. But now it doesn't display any track info and I hear the loading sound repeatedly. It usually tries to play the CD 3 times then moves on to the next CD where it does the same thing. I tried a lens cleaner to see what it would do and the same thing happened. The last time it was playing it had started playing a track, skipped 2 times at the beginning then stopped altogether a few seconds later.

A local shop wants $35 to look at the player but I'm not sure it's worth it as I bought the player in 1/02. Any idea on what may be wrong w/it? I don't mind spending money on a new changer so much but hate the thought of swapping out the 400 CDs in the changer! Thanks for any info.

 

[Haoleb]

It could be a laser failure since it worked fine then all the sudden just stopped. Of course theres certainly other things it could be. I think I was working with that exact same player yesterday at a customers house installing a remote. It seemed like a decent enough unit all things considered. My guess is that it will probably end up costing you 80-150 bucks to fix so if its worth it or not for you to replace it is up to you. Just because the player is a few years old doesnt mean its crap. Ive never been particularly fond of mega changer players myself so if you dont need to have that feature I would reccomend a single or 5 disc carousel type player. Less parts. Less to go wrong.

 

[Quadzilla]

Thanks, Haoleb. I may end up getting the unit fixed after reading some reviews of the newer model Sony changers. I read somewhere the disc access time is slower on the newer units and some functions are gone such as group play and delete track and the player must be stopped in order to change play modes. I'm disabled w/very limited dexterity so a 400-CD changer is a time-aggravation-CD saver.

If it were the laser as you said, any idea if all the discs would have to be removed from the player? I'm assuming they would but again, I'm really trying to avoid removing the 400 CDs in the player. Thanks again.

 

[Haoleb]

Thanks, Haoleb. I may end up getting the unit fixed after reading some reviews of the newer model Sony changers. I read somewhere the disc access time is slower on the newer units and some functions are gone such as group play and delete track and the player must be stopped in order to change play modes. I'm disabled w/very limited dexterity so a 400-CD changer is a time-aggravation-CD saver.

If it were the laser as you said, any idea if all the discs would have to be removed from the player? I'm assuming they would but again, I'm really trying to avoid removing the 400 CDs in the player. Thanks again.

Yes, I would take the discs out before you take it to be serviced. Im sure it would make it easier for the tech.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Tough luck on the player. If your diabled and have a hard time handling the discs, tell that to the service center and let them take them out. They might charge you extra bench time, though.....
Personally, I bought a music server and only have to mess with the CD once to record it to the hard drive and then BOOM, all the music is at your fingertips.......