CD laser life span...

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redbook

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CD laser life span...
« on: 16 May 2020, 10:54 pm »
 Well here're my questions . What would be the normal life span of the laser currently used in my Bryston CD3.I guess it depends on how many hours would be on it. Should I purchase and extra drive unit ahead of time for future repairs ?. Is the lens glass or plastic? Can I get a spare laser diode as a single part from Stream Unlimited. James  do you know any of these things ? I love my player and spinning cd records is my thing  ( old fashion).and want to enjoy it for many years..thanks.  :scratch:...Happy  listening to all. :thumb:

Phil A

Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #1 on: 16 May 2020, 11:45 pm »
From what I understand, it's about 10-15 years, give or take (and as you noted may depend on the amount of usage).  What also should be noted is that the CD drive mechanism is usually made by a party other than the audio manufacturer and the period when such drives are produced will vary and will often be less than that 10 year period (especially considering that the CD player manufacturer will develop and test and have software related to that drive and that's why when a drive is no longer made, such as the BCD-1, they come out with a new model as it likely doesn't make economic sense to write software for a new drive and then back engineer how it will fit in an old model - an effort that manufacturers would rather put into a new player).

Elizabeth

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Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #2 on: 17 May 2020, 12:05 am »
Every laser I have had in a machine I used day in day out playing when I was at work all day all weekends.... The laser NEVER gave out. it was ALWAYS a capacitor. or the wiring harness from the moving tilt mechanism of a five disc player.
So one player played every day 12to 15 hours a day for 14 years.. that was the one the ribbon wiring broke.
Currently I use CD changers that are 25 to 30 years old... I play them every day all day retired. What broke? a CAPACITOR leaked in one. which gee caused th laser to start skipping...
In my opinion every single replaced laser was a rip off because it as easier to charge for the whole thing then test the little caps on the sled.
And yes that 30 year old CD changer is playing right now... I have owned it for 12 years...
I have used CD players since the mid 80s/ NEVER have I had a bad laser.
PLUS I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS  clean every single disc every single time with a soft cosmetic blush brush. both sides. those nearly invisible to you dust is lke boulders and tree trunks to the lens...
Think of it.. Analogy of laser to car: you are driving down the highway at 60mph.. and in your lane (you cannot deviate)are a stream of endless 2 foot wide and high rocks. tree limbs a foot thick.. over and over you run over this stuff for years... Gee what could be the problem? a particle of smoke floating invisible in the air.. is several times the height of the laser to disk.. A human hair is twenty times the hight.

redbook

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Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #3 on: 17 May 2020, 04:25 am »
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my post. Your experienced information is very reassuring ...Now I feel like I can play my unit  without excessive concern . To future proof my unit I will buy a spare  Blue Tiger tray loader as insurance if for some reason there's a freak mechanical failure . Thanks again for your input. :thumb: :D
« Last Edit: 17 May 2020, 05:51 am by redbook »

rmurray

Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #4 on: 18 May 2020, 06:12 am »
 I love my BCD3 but I did purchase an extra drive as insurance . It does seem from the previous posts that laser life is of little concern. I guess I just like the idea of backups...LOL  After the let down from Philips not making at least spare parts I am being proactive with the BCD3. Cheers and keep spinning..... :thumb :lol

Testsystems

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Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #5 on: 18 May 2020, 11:44 am »
Hi RMurry

I was wondering if you would be willing to share where you purchased the spare drive and the price. I too might be interested in doing the same investment. 

Tx Drew

spinner

Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #6 on: 18 May 2020, 01:05 pm »
Hi RMurry

I was wondering if you would be willing to share where you purchased the spare drive and the price. I too might be interested in doing the same investment. 

Tx Drew
.... I ordered mine through my local Bryston  dealer. :thumb: It was about 600 bucks  Canadian.
« Last Edit: 18 May 2020, 05:02 pm by spinner »

rmurray

Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #7 on: 18 May 2020, 04:59 pm »
Yeh , I did that  too from my local dealer after getting my bcd3....

CanadianMaestro

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Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #8 on: 18 May 2020, 05:05 pm »
Have owned/used several CDPs: Sony, DCD, Marantz, Teac, Bryston; past 30 yrs. Not one has failed, laser/tray loader. When one does fail, I may buy spare part, or if unavailable, a new player. But not til one breaks. Just sayin'.   8)

rollo

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Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #9 on: 18 May 2020, 05:37 pm »
.... I ordered mine through my local Bryston  dealer. :thumb: It was about 600 bucks  Canadian.


 That sounds awfully expensive. My Phillips was $20 to replace. Labor my own. Was that installed ?

charles

gberger

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Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #10 on: 18 May 2020, 08:05 pm »
The transport used in the BCD-3 is a  StreamUnlimited JPL-2800 transport, made in  Austria. It has steel rails and an anodize aluminum tray. Bryston ordered spares, and the sales to owners has today has to at least "break even" for the basic unit cost, import fees, repackaging and tariff to send one to a customer.

This particular model is controlled via the single master clock in the BCD-3 that synchs the transport and the BDA-3 chips and electronics.

George

spinner

Re: CD laser life span...
« Reply #11 on: 18 May 2020, 11:10 pm »


 That  is some good info there ...Nice for all to know that care to know :D.... The loader is a very fine piece of craftsmanship and I for one really appreciate Bryston choosing it for the this new player. :thumb:..bravo again .