Not reading SACD layer.....common?

Ricardo
Ricardo Posts: 10,636
edited October 2008 in Electronics
I just got my DVP-Ns999 ES from being repaired at Sony. (Bought it as a demo, arrived DOA, seller sent me an invoice and was repaired under warranty).

Hooked it up and there are four hybrid CD's that are not recognized by the player. Plays the CD layer only. I have otheR hybrid and SACD dics that play fine.
This is my first SACD capable player, so I have never played the SACD layer on those 3 CD's.

Bill Evans Trio - Moon Beams - Riverside
Shostakovich, Siymphony #5 - Rostropovich - LSO
Chick Corea - Rendezvous in New York (2 CD's) - Stretch Records

Is this something any of you guys have experienced? Can there be faulty CD's? Should I send it back???

Thanks!
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2008
    Do you have the manual? If not here is the PDF version:

    http://129.33.22.12/release/DVPNS999ES.PDF

    See page 41 for selecting the SACD layer of a Hybrid.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    Thanks Shack..

    I have the manual, and on these four hybrid CD's it won't switch from CD to SACD. It just does not recognize them as hybrid. My question is, has anyone had a similar issue with some hybrid CDs?

    I'm thinking I'll just call and send it back.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited February 2008
    I've never been able to read the SACD layer.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Thanks Shack..

    I have the manual, and on these four hybrid CD's it won't switch from CD to SACD. It just does not recognize them as hybrid. My question is, has anyone had a similar issue with some hybrid CDs?

    I'm thinking I'll just call and send it back.

    It's reading other hybrids...but just not these. :confused:
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I've never been able to read the SACD layer.

    Oh, that's just because you can't read japanese. It is there, trust me.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    shack wrote: »
    It's reading other hybrids...but just not these. :confused:

    Yes; plays other hybrids just fine, and I can switch between the CD layer and the SACD layer on other discs.

    I thought that the discs could be faulty or something...not much of a probability.

    It's going back to Laredo.
    _________________________________________________
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2008
    I had a problem with my 59avi not playing the SACD layer or ANY hybrid. I was all worried and spent tons of time changing every menu setting, emailing a bunch of people for advice, etc.

    Ended up popping in my DVD cleaning disc, and after than it worked just fine :) Guess the SACD laser was dirty or something :).
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    Andy, good suggestion. I found a DVD leans cleaner disc and played it. After that, out of the four suspect discs two worked fine, one worked after a couple of tries, and one just doesn't work. Popped the cleaning disc one more time but didn't change. I guess there must be something wrong with the lens.
    I called the Laredo Service Center and a technician will call me back.

    On a side note, I sent the player in the original box/packaging and they sent it back in another box with bubble wrap; pretty well protected, but I asked them why and the guy said that they always do that. They recycle the Sony boxes, which are very thick and strong. Weird.
    _________________________________________________
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    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,477
    edited February 2008
    Ricardo,
    I think your laser block (optical pickup) may be bad (or marginal). That's usually the reason they won't read the SACD layer. My brother had to replace his block to fix the same problem. It sounds like it will have to go back to Laredo. That really sucks that they steal/recycle your original box. That adds value to the item.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    A technician called me back; they need to change the laser.

    Too bad they didn't see that while it was there :(

    Anyway, the player will be as new and still with 4 years warranty. Not bad.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,089
    edited February 2008
    There is a thread at the Hoffman forums where the guy claims his Sony SCD-1 was shipped back from Laredo in a box not much bigger than the player and it was damaged in transit.

    I've replaced a couple of optical pickups in 999's out of warranty for not reading SACD layers. They cost ~$75 and can be purchased at The Parts Store.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2008
    Andy, good suggestion. I found a DVD leans cleaner disc and played it. After that, out of the four suspect discs two worked fine, one worked after a couple of tries, and one just doesn't work. Popped

    Well, got you 60-70% there with my idea :)

    Good luck with service. I sold my 59avi after issue was resolved via the lense cleaner just in case it was something more sinister at work.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I've replaced a couple of optical pickups in 999's out of warranty for not reading SACD layers. They cost ~$75 and can be purchased at The Parts Store.

    Thanks for the tip. What's up with the optical pickups on Sony players? Do they fail so much? I won't keep the 999 because I got a DVP-NS9100 ES that is currently being modded, but I'm concerned now....
    _________________________________________________
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited February 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    I won't keep the 999 because I got a DVP-NS9100 ES that is currently being modded, but I'm concerned now....
    Being modded? By whom? I may have been able to save you some dough.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    Not Modwright...;)

    Matt at sacdmods.com; He changes the clock, output stage and a couple other things. A lot cheaper and I've had very good feedback.

    What did you have in mind?
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,089
    edited February 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Thanks for the tip. What's up with the optical pickups on Sony players? Do they fail so much? I won't keep the 999 because I got a DVP-NS9100 ES that is currently being modded, but I'm concerned now....

    You’re most welcome. I can’t answer the why on the optical reader failures with the 999ES. They don’t list an optical reader for the 9100ES at the Parts Store. Part number A6062709A only shows up under the 999ES parts list. I see that as a good thing. Norm, Victor and I haven’t had any problems with our 9100ES’s. Maybe it was just the reader used in the 999ES?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • The Judge
    The Judge Posts: 60
    edited February 2008
    If your good at taking things apart, unplug unit, set on working surface.
    Remove cover, Get a couple of Q-Tips and a Bottle of Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol.
    Dip Q-Tip into alcohol and gently clean the lens of your player, Not too much liquid as you don't want it running onto the other parts of your player. After cleaning the lens, put the cover back on and it should play like a new unit.
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  • hd38
    hd38 Posts: 4
    edited October 2008
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    There is a thread at the Hoffman forums where the guy claims his Sony SCD-1 was shipped back from Laredo in a box not much bigger than the player and it was damaged in transit.

    I've replaced a couple of optical pickups in 999's out of warranty for not reading SACD layers. They cost ~$75 and can be purchased at The Parts Store.

    Hello !

    My Sony DVP-NS999ES cannot read most of the hybrid SACD I own.
    I have bought a spare KHM-270AAA pickup but the laser diode of this brand new pickup does not light up :(
    Carriage goes back and forth, the lens up and down but no red light ? Is there a special init procedure I missed ?
    Or does the NS999ES require specific KHM-270AAA pickup S/N ?

    Other clue : will a heatsink on the DSD chip help to solve the hybrid problem ?

    Help from experts, like SCompRacer, warmly welcome !
    You may send an E-mail to save forum B/W.
    Herv
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited October 2008
    Hi,

    Let me know how the Mod to your 9100es goes,Im thinking of modding my
    9100es.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2008
    danz1906 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Let me know how the Mod to your 9100es goes,Im thinking of modding my
    9100es.

    I am VERY happy with my modded 9100; Matt does a wonderdful job, making the player excellent for both SACD and redbook. I would recommend it.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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