Player reads regular CDs but not the hybrid Sacd s. I’ve tried a couple of short bursts with
air but did not help. I’d like to get access to the laser lens so I can clean it carefully with some
99per cent alcohol. I’ve seen pics with the cover off but have no idea of how to remove. Read something that it is attached magnetically but see no place to work off the top.
Any ideas?
thanks Ken
I would not advise trying the cleaning of the laser yourself. Basically if you need to ask the question of how to do it then you probably do not have the skills.
At best dCS may recommend dusting the lens with a puff of air but no physical contact.
Failure to read a layer of hybrid SACDs often means that the laser has lost sufficient power. These units (OPUs) will not last infinitely but are consumable like a (long lasting) record playing stylus.
These days spares like OPUs are no longer common.However I understand dCS have tried to keep some, at least while stocks last.
I suggest that you contact dCS support directly for advice giving your location, Puccini serial number and a description of the issue:
“I suggest that you contact dCS support directly for advice giving your location, Puccini serial number and a description of the issue:”
Okay thank you I certainly will.
I now am able to play hybrid discs. I found that warming up unit for about 30 minutes
allows hybrid CD to be readable. This I’ve done consistently now with same results. Regular
CDs play right away but the hybrids I have need the machine to warm up. I’ve read nothing
about this in the manual and wonder if anyone else has experienced this with either a Puccini
or another SACD player.
Last week advised you to contact support at dCS. You said that you will do this. Did you and what have they advised?
Optical pickup units ( the laser) have a lifespan. They decline over time and a Puccini is now elderly ( obviously the amount of use has bearing on the rate). The OPU eventually cannot generate enough power to penetrate both layers of the hybrid disc.
It should not be necessary to need to warm tup the player to play hybrid discs. This suggests that you are close to failure of the unit and this workaround will not last permanently. A different common issue with true SACD/CD players is that the mechanism that changes between the two lasers fails.
I am afraid that as this is result of the OPU’s physical characteristics eventually you will be unable to play CDs as well. This why so many of us have turned away from silver discs and now play from file storage.
If spares can be sourced you may need to have dCS replace the OPU ( it cannot normally be done by you at home) but these can be hard to find.
Thanks for the reply,
I’ve exchanged a number of emails with Phil@DCS and he has been very helpful
getting back to me. !st conversions were regarding trouble connecting computer to U-clock
and getting rid of the pops and glitches with audio and now the Player issue. They are closed on weekends so I thought I would post here. Friend who I purchased it from had DCS change out OPU in 2019 and also the ring dac was worked on. He claims it has had little use since then. I found a source for the OPU unit whether it’s legit is another question. I do work on vintage audio amps,receivers and guitar tube amps so unless the OPU needs calibrating after replacing I feel I
could swap it out. I work for a shipping company and see damaged frieght everyday. Shipping even with insurance makes me nervous.
thanks again
Ken
If you have an OPU and are confident that your skills are adequate the main thing to ensure is that the workstation/surface is properly earthed to eliminate static.
Some (all?) require a static prevention blob of solder to be removed before the component will function but I don’t know if this is the case with the Esoteric UKM5 which I hope I recall correctly as the drive used.
I still think that if you can have the job done by suitably equipped and qualified staff this is preferable. To do this you would need to deal with an authorised dCS dealer who if necessary may involve sending it to a service centre. I don’t know where you are but there may be a dealer near enough for you to deliver the Puccini directly. If they need to send it to a service centre then any shipping problems will be theirs.
If there is a calibration aspect then you may be unable to carry this out if it involves a special test disc and equipment. Maybe Phil can advise on this.
Thanks so much for the info, I’ll continue to use the unit until it doesn’t read both layers
and maybe order the replacement to have on hand. Hopefully Phil can mention something
regarding calibration.
Ken