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Repair of Denon

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Kame

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Hi , I'm not sure if anyone is still a fan of Minidisc decks, but I am :)

I'm looking for advice on the repair of two different pro-grade decks:

Denon DN-M2000R
Sony MDS B5

The Denon deck has a problem with reading disks. If I fast forward say from 1:00 to 1:15, it locks on 1:15 and just repeats the audio for that period at 1:15.
Any idea on what this might indicate. My tech repair friend thinks that it needs a new laser part "NLA 11/10 MD MECHA DNM-2000R - DENON - DNM-2000R" found at https://www.instrumentalparts.com/3370055009.html

As far as we can tell, the part number for the assembly, the laser mechanism, and loading assembly are a single unit. It seems to be made by Denon and is not a common laser like that used by Sony. Any ideas where I might find lower cost parts for the Denon?

The Sony MDS B5 had a TOC error and would not read a disk. After replacing the drive belt, the TOC error disappeared. However the unit was still unable to read a minidisc- when trying to play, the unit would skip from 1:25 to 1:29 then back to 1:23 etc. It would not play any sound. Is this also a laser error? Any ideas where I might find a laser replacement for this Sony?

Thanks for all advice!

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I have zero experience of these pro-grade decks. However my belief is that they are all basically the same, albeit with slightly better components than the consumer models.

Anything involving reading, there are two things to consider:

1. The sled

2. The laser adjustment.

This sounds like #1. If it were #2 you'd get exactly nothing, not even a TOC.

If you do get it apart, make sure you clean off the fossilised grease from the lead screw that moves the head sideways (don't worry about up/down for now), and DO NOT replace with oil. You need exactly the right kind of silicone grease (usually it's white but YMMV) to replace it with.

Second time this week. They're all getting to that age where the grease congeals. I don't think it's the weather in SK causing this, but you might try a hair dryer first to warm it up. Be very careful you don't fry something or melt something (except that grease).

We just had snow (again), then hail. One of those weird winters (for us)

Stephen

PS I just remembered the other cause/symptom of this behaviour is a toothed wheel missing one tooth, which can happen. In this case we now have people who have worked out how to 3D print the cog. Stick around.....

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SFBP and PhillipC, thank you for your replies.

I've contacted www.jonathandupre.fr to ask (I assume Jonathan), about repairs to these units. His site has a fascinating collection of articles outlining repairs to various MD players and decks.

The local repair shop here says the Sony MDS B5 needs a new laser which had the original Sony part number 8-583-009-12. The laser itself has a part number on it KMS-210A

With some detective work and help from others, I hope to get these decks up and running for another 25 years.

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Hi SFBP,

I'm not sure if he has a laser meter. I would assume he does as he repairs CD decks and recorders.

I printed out many pages of technical advice from a mindisc repair expert in France (Jonathan) to guide their repair. After reading through it, running the deck through service mode, he insists that its still a laser problem. The problem now is trying to find a Sony KMS210A laser (Part # 8-583-009-12 also called A-4672-542-A ).

Do you know of any shops in Vancouver that are skilled in minidisc repair?

Thanks!

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i bought a laser at discount a while back, but I think it was a KMS260 (will look). I've definitely been known to look at these things, and yes, I do have a LPM. I didn't realise Jonathan had interpreted your forays into Service Mode, sorry.

Planning to drive to these parts any time soon?

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I found quite a number of  KMS260 lasers on Aliexpress. If they are real parts, then the prices are very good. I've not found the laser I need: KMS210A

To repair the MDS-B5, I'll need to find a Sony KMS210A laser. This seems to be quite a challenge. Any idea where I might be able to find one?
If the shop here can't fix the MDS-B5, maybe I'll try taking it to Vancouver next time I go.

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I've not been able to find a KMS-210A laser. Well, I did see one on Ebay today for $369 USD (https://www.ebay.ca/itm/MD-Laser-Head-Lasereinheit-in-SONY-JA-30ES-TEAC/352431018168?hash=item520e8690b8:g:a6kAAOSwdrlbcgPT:rk:40:pf:0).

If I can't find a laser, it seems I may have to sell my Sony MDS-B5 for parts. Rather a sad fate for a very cool machine.

A seller on Ebay hinted that a repair shop somewhere might be able to repair the KMS-210A laser itself. Does anyone here know anything about this?

Quite fascinating- delving into old MD gear.

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KMS--210A is share by

MDS-302 - MDS-S30 - MDS-303 - MDS-S35 - MDS-503 - MDS-JA3ES - MDS-JA50ES
this explain you why eBay auction is soooooo expensive (and why 302 and other cheap units have also disappeared from eBay or are proposed at the same goooood and expensive price)

I would rather buy another deck
 

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I finally checked... yes the one I bought against a rainy day is a KMS260E

Here's the good news:

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/h381715357

18 Hours to go. Time enough to get registered with one of the Japanese shopping services (such as Buyee)

Good luck!

One more thing, assuming Philippe is correct, you can buy an MDS-302 here

PS. someone may have mentioned this but there's a guy in Rhodos (Greece) that has lots of them (KMS-210A), removed from ?dead equipment. I suppose you might get lucky, or simply contact him to ask what it might take to repair either the one you have or the one he would sell you.

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Thanks SFBP, PhilippeC. Much appreciated. I have looked at the Japanese auction- its priced at 9000 yen or $107 Can. I checked the shipping estimate and for a 500 gram item, it seems the shipping cost will be at least 10,000 yen or $120 Can. The repair costs will be at least another $50. It seems this is not a very economical way to proceed. If the KMS--210A laser is unreliable, its not worth so much effort.

However, I shall not give up so easily yet!
How can I get in touch with the Greek repair specialist? I'd like to ask if he might sell me one.


 

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I did indeed misread the shipping quote calculator-- the price is the total for the item including shipping costs. Now that seems more reasonable!

If the Greek fellow is qservice_rhodes then his ad states that the lasers do not work and need repair. I will check into that MDS302. That's a decent option assuming that the laser has some life in it.  

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Assuming you mean the Japanese one, I read the translation of his notes about what he does (this is not a one-off). It sounds like he stands behind them, and was until recently in the business of fixing machines like yours with a stock he'd purchased. The details presented make it seem likely he's in control of the situation.

If it was the one from Greece, that will be a very interesting story! Either way, I'm intrigued to see this machine in action so if your guy there isn't 100% sure, I volunteer to take a look at it.

Stephen

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I wasn't very specific was I? Haha.. I bought the new laser from Japan. I read about the fellow too- he seems like an expert and quite reliable. I really hope that the repair shop here is competent to replace the laser and has tested the deck properly according to Jonathan's recommendations posted on his site. (I printed out the Google translations of Jonathan's repair guides).

I contacted the Greek seller a few days ago. He said the lasers are not working and that's why he's selling them so cheaply.
He noted that he'd hear of Chinese labs that claim can repair the lasers, but didn't send me any contact information.

Thanks very much for volunteering to look at my Sony. Much appreciated. Once the laser arrives, I'll let my local shop try his hand at it. He's likely to charge me an examination fee anyway so I might as well let him try to fix it. Apparently there's a few capacitors in this machine that should be changed as well. If he can't, if you'd be willing to have a look at it, I can ship it off.

Seems that I'll soon have a working deck!

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Don't even think about sending it by courier. I was absolutely assuming you might be heading this way some time - and if you are, you'd be welcome to drop by. I think shipping a heavy unit would be a. expensive and b. possibly injurious especially when we don't know exactly what's wrong with it.

Stephen

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