ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi all..
In my search of getting this lovely unit back on track again, I was wondering how common faults are with the controller print (PCB41) ?
I had an old original CDPRO2 unit that worked 1 out of 10 times. It had an original VAM1250 laser, and I swapped that with the defect in the BS9000. The cd's started spinning in the 9000, first forward, and then really fast backwards, this was also the issue with the BS3000 the original laser came from, so I just tried a lot of cd's to see if I could find the 1 out of 10 and get it playing, but after 6 or 7 cd's the disc stops spinning, and the only thing that happens is that it is trying to focus.
Are there faults in PCB41 that kills the laser perhaps ?
I can run all testmodes, and they seem to work, however the testmode 65/66 where it should move the laser in/out, it only moves half way out. Is this normal ?
I can see the light in the laser, but I am having difficulty finding out how to measure the laser voltage.
In the service manual, laser light should be measured on P42 3 and 7, but how is that possible while the unit is assembled ? There are testpoints on top of PCB41, are there some of them that should be used for this ? The manual does not specify how to get measuring on the back of PCB41 while connected.
Any hints greatly appreciated :)
/Jacob
Hi Jacob,
about the Mk3 or the upgraded Mk2 to Mk3 that have a VAM 1250. It's very hard to find a reliable replacment laser unit for this. One guy in England fix it for me and since it's fine (I hardly never use the CD player).
For me it's the laser unit that goes bad, but a B&O technician told me one day that PCB41 dies and you have to change PCB41 and the laser unit.
So if you want the contact of the guy in England I can give it to you via PM. But it would be interesting to hear the thoughts of the others (especially the master B&O tech).
nanan: Hi Jacob, about the Mk3 or the upgraded Mk2 to Mk3 that have a VAM 1250. It's very hard to find a reliable replacment laser unit for this. One guy in England fix it for me and since it's fine (I hardly never use the CD player). For me it's the laser unit that goes bad, but a B&O technician told me one day that PCB41 dies and you have to change PCB41 and the laser unit. So if you want the contact of the guy in England I can give it to you via PM. But it would be interesting to hear the thoughts of the others (especially the master B&O tech).
It is funny that B&O cd players are so vulnerable, especially the newer one's. The old 80's first 90's players are still going strong, but the newer almost always need a new laser at some point.
Philips must have manufactured with the lowest possible cost at all in mind, a shame that B&O used these drives.
You shall be welcome to PM me your contact, and I can decide what to do.
I once heard that the lasers even go bad just while sitting on the shelf brand new ? could this actually be true. if so, lots of lovely BS9000's will end the days in the scrap on account of a 20 euro laser :(
Such a shame...
Yes in the 80' - 90' the Cd Mech. were more reliable than now, but it's worth notice that it was a different design (swig arm etc..).
Be aware that finding a good VAM 1255 on Ebay, is almost impossible. Sometimes you can find good Cd lense for BS9000 Mk2 or Mk1.
Are the B&O laser-pickups special versions? There are so many swing-arm pickups from Philips used by many companies and working for decades. What did B&O do to the drives to become unreliable? Are there compatible standard pickups from Philips or do you always need a special version for B&O?
I think the products are reliable, but B&O use them in special conditions (vertical, dust exposed, sliding). In order to fit a design the units become less reliable.