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To Repair or Replace

My 1995 vintage CAL Audio Icon II CD player has started skipping and is having tracking problems. The only place I know that still services CAL says it needs a new laser ($350 + shipping). Is it worth investing that much in a 13 year old player or is it smarter to invest the money in a new one? I tried a budget DVD player but it just doesn't have the presence and depth of the Icon II. Thanks in advance--Joe
jhuser

Showing 3 responses by jhuser

jhuser OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for all the sound advice. I think I knew the answer to my own question but sometimes you just have to bounce the idea of someone else for validation.
After reading the thread about the Sony PS1 I found one in a local pawn shop for $15 so I'm going to explore that before moving forward. Who knows, I may have just saved myself a LOT of money. :) Thanks again.
jhuser OP
4 posts
 
Silica,
Thanks for the link. Having a background in electronics and a love of tinkering, I'm certainly brave enough to try a DIY replacement. I wanted to attempt this on an old Yamaha CD player I have but ran into the same issue of not finding a source for parts. I'll check it out and see what happens.
jhuser OP
4 posts
 
Silica,
Thanks for the suggestion. I decided to give this DIY repair a shot. I ordered the transport from the source you found in the UK and it arrived yesterday (only took 7 days). Using your excellent instructions I successfully swapped it out last night and after only one minor mis-step the ICON lives on. Hopefullly its good to go for another 13 years. Thanks again!
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