"Powermac" wrote in message
ups.com...
My trusty old Technics 5 disc cd changer died the other day while
playing a CD. The unit powers up, I can open the drawer and flip the
cds around but the unit will not recognize a cd is in any of the
trays, and will ofcourse not play it.

Any idea what is wrong, and can it be repaired?

I know the unit is old but it matches my Technics RS-TR355 Dual
casette deck and it has the cable going between them for syncro
editing a new cd player would not have.


First, check that the laser is not stuck at the far end of its track. This
is very common on Panasonic traverse units fitted to Technics gear, if they
have not been used for a while, and were working ok with no signs of poor
playability or skipping when they were last used. Also check, by physically
looking, that the laser lens is not very dusty, or 'filmy' - particularly if
it is a heavy-smoking household, or you have had building work done since it
last worked. If the problem is dirt / dust, then it needs to be cleaned
properly with isopropyl alcohol, and a cotton tip, not with a 'cleaning
disc'.

Other than this, it's likely to be the laser itself as, generally speaking,
Technics / Panasonic decoding electronics are fairly reliable.

Arfa