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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi all,
My sister has the full b&o 5000 system(she bought it new over 30 years ago and adores it) but recently
The Cd50 CD player has developed a fault. The cd tray opens on command(although sluggish-have checke the door screw and loosening makes no difference), putting a cd in the disc is picked up but does not spin at all.
Now I've never looked inside a CD player before(fixed a few tv's etc though) and after looking on YouTube at one, I noticed the lens tray should move. This one does not at all, and is fully forward. The micro switch that I guess senses when the lens is forward makes no clicking sound when pressed(I manually raised the drive gear from the lens to move it back) so I suspect this micro switch?or maybe this motor(the worm drive one for the lens)
after a while the disc is ejected, and sometimes spins a bit on ejection making me think the motor is ok.
the whole system has never been serviced so a good lubing wouldn't hurt. Any pointers greatly appreciated!
my sister had booked it into b&o for repair- £85 before parts or additional labour! I said I may be able to fix(with the help of you guys! )
Am I right or should she pay them??😳
looking forward to your responses eagerly!
regards
Matt
Welcome to Beoworld !
I take it, you are aware that the CD50 loads the disc labelside down ?
Martin
Maybe this can help, there is a lot of talking in between the actual thread, but its all there.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Yes mate, I am aware
Many thanks Soren,
will take a look and report back. On first impressions though, the fact the lens was jammed at the fully forward position says to me there is a sequencing error. I have a video of it and will post if I can work out how to!
matt
Hey guys, how do I post a video on here so u can see what its(not) doing?I don't want to start stripping it until I know what I'm aiming for. As the lens carries isn't moving at all, I wonder I it's the motor that drives that? Also noticed another thread in here saying his lens moved freely! How can that be when it's a worm gear drive?this one, the lens carrier is solid. Won't budge at all unless I lift the teeth from the gear and move it
Mine too was doing funny things until I fixed the motor whose lubricant hardens with age. Follow Søren's thread's instructions.
You will of course have to replace the drawer's belt too. Even after a new belt, mine has firm but sluggish operation... But then I've also got a Beogram CD5500 which must detain the world's record of the fastest drawer ever !
Jacques
I'm guessing the motor you are talking about is the main disc drive motor(lots of info on the link on taking this motor apart etc also).
The motor I think is my problem is the screw drive, mentioned(with a clear photo) on page one of the link.
Should this motor turn freely when the lens carrier is pushed gently?(I doubt it)
my one is solid and the lens does not move at all.The disc goes in fine, lifts up to the drive motor, then after a few secs, drops back down and ejects.
Any suggestions? There is no mention of the screw drive being a problem in any forums i can find.
Ive managed to upload video on youtube.A picture can save a thousand words!!
Hope the link works:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEeMZWtRudk
Heeelllllpppppp!!!
I cant see that the motor does not spin, check with your fingers that it rotate freely without any resistance. And does the disc attach to the spindle.
Did you clean and lubricate everything ??
To me it does not finish the loading cycle because the belt is too weak. If the CD is not clamped (this requires some effort) then nothing more will happen.
We can see that the CD door closes hesitatingly, already the sign of a weak belt.
chartz: To me it does not finish the loading cycle because the belt is too weak.
To me it does not finish the loading cycle because the belt is too weak.
Its my opinion too, or the mechanism is dirty or old grease is blocking it. when the door is closing, and at the same time the lift mechanism is actuated, thats where there are most strain on the drive. If the lift cycle isnt finished, one of the switches beside the gearwheels is not actuated and the disc is ejected. Or the switches are dirty.
Ok, great. Wht should be my first course of action? Can I test the weak belt theory by 'helping it along' a bit? As I haven't any experience of stripping this down, and really don't want to make it worse what would you suggest. Thanks for all the advice so far by the way
Yes, help it a little by turning the big white wheel until the CD is clamped.
Madmatt:Ok, great. Wht should be my first course of action?
Get rid of it and substitute a CD 5500, which will match perfectly. Sorry for the flip answer, but in my experience the CD-50's are more trouble than they're worth - both for mechanical and electronic reasons.
Like Bob said, it's not worth it!
Brengen & Ophalen
You can't get a better endorsement than that!
Nice one guys but it's not my call-it's my sisters and she loves it! I've no choice but to try and fix it!
If no success I can supply you one for quite cheap. Where you from (supply voltage)?
Good luck!
MediaBobNY: Madmatt:Ok, great. Wht should be my first course of action? Get rid of it and substitute a CD 5500, which will match perfectly. Sorry for the flip answer, but in my experience the CD-50's are more trouble than they're worth - both for mechanical and electronic reasons.
I don't agree, the CD50 is one of my favourite players, with its mellow tone.
I have a BG 5500 too, as well as a CDX, plus Philips and Sony machines of that generation.
chartz: MediaBobNY: Madmatt:Ok, great. Wht should be my first course of action? Get rid of it and substitute a CD 5500, which will match perfectly. Sorry for the flip answer, but in my experience the CD-50's are more trouble than they're worth - both for mechanical and electronic reasons. I don't agree, the CD50 is one of my favourite players, with its mellow tone. I have a BG 5500 too, as well as a CDX, plus Philips and Sony machines of that generation.
Agree with Jacques, but if Madmatt is afraid of stripping down the CD50 (which he will have to, to some degree to change the belt) there is not much we can do to help him. I suggest that you buy a belt from Martin (Dillen on the forum), it comes with instructions about how to do it, but it require some mechanic talent.
But both of you (for that matter, the 3 of you including Leslie) could take one apart and put it back together blindfolded. My opinion is from a layman's perspective and meant for a fellow layman. I've tried to fix them in the past (e.g. lubrication) and failed. A drawer belt change on a 5500, on the other hand, is relatively simple. But I do agree with you about the sound.
MediaBobNY:including Leslie
No, I can't Bob, if no skills I will keep my hands off especially with this type of unit. Drawer belt from a 5500 is indeed quite an easy task to do.
In my opinion you won't find a better sounding CD player than the CD50.The CD5500 comes no-where near with its sterile and ear-wearing sound.
Worth a new belt, a clean and a bit of lubrication after 30+ years ?Definitely !And I agree that it seem to be what's needed in this one.
The CD tray drives in.The deck checks for the presence of a CD.If no CD is sensed, the player goes into standby (it does not lift the CD hub).
If a CD is sensed;The CD hub (with CD) is lifted.The tracking motor is driven towards track zero.The spindle motor is started.The TOC is read in etc.
If something fails in this precedure the player will eject the disc.
In other words, the 5500 sounds like a CD player. The 'warmth' of a CD-50 is actually distortion. Peter and others have mentoned this in the past. There are two schools of thought on everything.
And I wonder if anyone is able to do the job. I for certain will not touch that thing!
Madmatt: Get a belt from Martin, when its there, I will walk you through it, this in a weekend, because of the time difference, I know Jacques and Martin will follow if we run into trouble.
Leslie: And I wonder if anyone is able to do the job. I for certain will not touch that thing!
I'm convinced they're posessed. It would require the talents of an exorcist.
MediaBobNY:I'm convinced they're posessed. It would require the talents of an exorcist.
You may be right Bob, or the virus, but when you get to it, the mechanics in these players are simple.
Many thanks Soren, I will check to make sure it is the belt first, then go for it!(be prepared for lots of questions!)
thanks again all
Søren Mexico: You may be right Bob, or the virus, but when you get to it, the mechanics in these players are simple.
The quirkyness of them is amazing. The drawer can cycle in and out by itself repeatedly. Or you can open the drawer and try to insert a CD while it tries to retract the drawer on its own. Bizarre!...
Quirky and goofy, I agree.But if put back together correctly after servicing and everything lubricated good, it will just work and play.Track search is a little on the slow side perhaps but it's a far more stabile construction than anything voicecoil operated.Did you notice the laser block, running on a thick steel track, sandwiched between steel balls ?Laser lens facing downwards = never a hint of dust on the lens.A cycling drawer points towards something not correctly assembled or bad tray switch contacts.
Distortion?Naah... nothing I've ever noticed or measured.Merely filters made to sound pleasant to my ears rather than providing a straight line on a piece of paper.
But each to his taste.I also dislike the sound of the CX speakers.I can get tired to the point where it actually feels relieving when I switch off.
Amen to that Martin (I watch too many American movies I guess ).
I am at the moment listening to Beethoven's Sonatas with my CD50 and I can assure you I cannot hear distortion, just beautiful music. The CD5500 is fatiguing but perhaps a bit more detailed. Or is it just an illusion?
And my CD50 is fully remote-controlled so I can use it with any equipment, even non-B&O, from my chair!
Now singing along with Beomaster 6000 and MC120-2.
If someone gave me another one for free, broken but mint of course, I'd take it any time.
Dillen:Laser lens facing downwards = never a hint of dust on the lens.
But of course the real reason for this design (Aiwa?) had nothing to do with dust, which is undoubtedly why no other B&O CD player replicated it. The real reason was that at the time of the CD50's release in the early 80's - when the CD player format was still in its infancy, the United States (the largest consumer electronics market) was considering passing a law mandating that the lasers in CD players shine downwards and not upwards into the eyes of unwitting consumers, who might be curious as to how the thing works. In the end, this law was never enacted.
But, getting back to the original point, just to demonstrate that my (and Leslie’s) opinions about the CD50’s reliability issues are not out of left field, a quick forum search yielded the following comments from some well-known Beoworld members:
Here. Quote from joeyboygolf: “All CD50's are well beyond their sell by date and are becoming unreliable. Fixing them is a bit beyond the average DIYer and you will need a specialist. The only one I know of is based in the deep south but someone in your area may be along later to help in this respect. My general advice would be to consider buying the later CD5500 model which will work 100% with your 5000 system and will be more reliable.”
Here. Quote from Peter: "Actually the DAC in the CD50 is a professional quality one. Slightly odd in the way it works as it switches rapidly between the two channels. However the reliability of these sets is getting suspect and in my opinion it is the least good sounding CD player in the series.”
Here. Quote from Eugene: “I like the CD50 for its looks and funky front loading tray and diplay lamping much more so than the later 5500 and on but there are a lot more mechnics that can go worng or get out of kilter than any of the other B&O players.”
Here. Quote from Beaker: "Then you have the fact that the CD50 will break down as they are not that reliable.”
Here. Quote from tournedos: "CD5500 is a lot more reliable than CD50 though, and probably better sounding as well.”
Here. Another quote from tournedos: "The CD50's can be a bit spiritual in their workings. I try to avoid touching mine even with a six foot pole - apart from changing the disc - as long as it works!”
Here. Quote from Doctor: “The best CD player is the CD5500 (the CD50 is far too unreliable , and is simply too weird - a single channel DAC!?? - the fact that hardly two are the same design)”
And the above is just a sampling from some well-known members!
Aside from reliability issues, the CD50 lacks some key features. As I recall you can't directly select a track, nor can you fast forward or reverse through a track.
MediaBobNY: But of course the real reason for this design (Aiwa?) had nothing to do with dust, which is undoubtedly why no other B&O CD player replicated it. The real reason was that at the time of the CD50's release in the early 80's - when the CD player format was still in its infancy, the United States (the largest consumer electronics market) was considering passing a law mandating that the lasers in CD players shine downwards and not upwards into the eyes of unwitting consumers, who might be curious as to how the thing works. In the end, this law was never enacted.
Wow, that makes sense and as you can see on Bob's quotes, different people, different meanings
MediaBobNY: Here. Quote from tournedos: "CD5500 is a lot more reliable than CD50 though, and probably better sounding as well.” Here. Another quote from tournedos: "The CD50's can be a bit spiritual in their workings. I try to avoid touching mine even with a six foot pole - apart from changing the disc - as long as it works!”
Frankly, I liked the sound of the darn thing, when it played. I sold my rebuilt (very nice sounding) BM5000, MCP5000 and the CD50 some years ago. I probably would keep them now - but I was young and needed the money...
--mika
I love my CD50 (I've had A CDX but never a CD5500) but it has again developed the "missing the beginning of a the first track" combined with, at times, " draw cycling in and out without stopping", so time for another service. Although I will strip, clean, belt and lubricate I may also search out an ebay CD5500 for comparison. I have a BM5000 (from new) and have resisted "upgrading" since It is claimed to be the better amp of the stacking series whilst also having a genuine volume controlled line out connection and so is probably more versatile than the BM5500 (others lack the brushed finish I prefer) but suffers the incompatibility of IR codes with all later devices. Visitors absolutely love the MCP5000 - it's worrying when you had something from new that is now considered "retro"!!
(At the risk of being boring - please B&O, develop an MCP for the 21st century that's gorgeous to hold and touch, looks extraordinary, makes it a breeze to navigate the ever more complicated digital AV world and isn't an app on someone else's hardware)!!
Ban boring signatures!
tournedos:Frankly, I liked the sound of the darn thing
I agree with you. But that's not what's in contention.
Puncher:I love my CD50 (I've had A CDX but never a CD5500) but it has again developed the "missing the beginning of a the first track" combined with, at times, " draw cycling in and out without stopping", so time for another service.
More ammo to prove our point: They're unreliable. They're quirky. They're difficult to work on.