Sick Norh CD-1!

randog · « **on:** 18 Nov 2004, 03:43 pm »

I'm looking for advise on a sick Norh CD-1.

Since I've had it, it never read CD-R's without hunting real hard or not at all. I decided I wanted to copy over my whole CD collection and use mainly CD-R's (since I've got a family and autos with cdp's) and I recently traded off the Norh. The new owner reports that it is now having a hard time reading redbook cd's as well. I'm making good and taking it back.

What could be causing this problem? If the recent trouble is the same I had with CD-R's, it seems to search and search the cd, but not be able to read it.

Finally, this player has no factory support any longer. Are there any other sick CD-1's out there that have a different problem that we can make one good unit out of?

How about the transport? What is it and is it still being produced? If so, is that something that I can bolt in or does it require any special alignment?

Any good repair shops in the SF bay area/Sacramento area that you might recommend?

Thanks,
Randog

Jay S · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Nov 2004, 04:31 pm »

Sorry to hear about your CD-1!

Try doing a search for an independent repair facility that specializes in CAL Audio components. The CD-1 is essentially a single-box version of the CAL Delta transport + CAL Alpha 24/96 tube dac.

If they can't help you then you can try to contact the OEM in Thailand. Do a search for the Q QDS-15.

Finally, are you sure that nOrh/Namphung can't help?

Good luck!

- Jay

jackman · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Nov 2004, 04:39 pm »

Jay's advice is good. Try to find a CAL Audio repair shop in your area. Even though they are no longer around, it shouldn't be hard to find. Could be a small problem like a poorly aligned lazer or something simple. That's a pretty solid player and, unless you ran it non-stop for years, shouldn't be giving you these problems.

I had a CD1 for a while and it worked perfectly. Also had a CAL Delta that was 7 years old and I used it a lot for two years and never had a problem. That CAL gear is very well made. Please keep the AC'ers posted on your progress!

J

tkp · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Nov 2004, 05:09 pm »

One of the typical symptom of the nOrh CD1 is the motor got stuck and not able to start spinning the CD hence it will come accross as not being able to read the CD. The way to fix this problem is:

a) Put the CD player on a level surface.
b) Remove the top of the CD player but do not flip it up side down to remove the bottom screws.
c) with the CD inside the player and expose from the top view. Press play and use your finger to gently aid the motor to spin the CD clockwise.

Once the motor can pass its unspin/lock position, it will work fine from that point on as long as you don't move it to an un-level surface.

Good Luck,
TKP

randog · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Mar 2005, 10:13 pm »

I wanted to resurrect this post only to say there wasn't anything wrong with this unit! I took it apart and found out the laser lens was covered in a thick layer of dust. Some cleaning with Q-tips and alcohol and she runs better than ever. CD-R's and all!

jackman · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Mar 2005, 12:44 am »

Whew! Great news. The CD-1 is a cool little player. It might not have the resolution of some of the newer players but I thought it sounded very good. I liked the remote and the overall feel of the CD-1. It had a high quality feel.

I'm happy it's up and running. I was a bit shocked to hear it was having problems. That player is very solid and well built. I looked under the hood on mine, when I owned it, and found the construction to be quite good. Best of luck!

J