[EDS_]

After umpteen thousand playing hours and loads of listening pleasure my beauty is failing. Beginning last Friday; it will claim "NO DISK" while a disk is loaded. Occasionally, it will simply stop playing. Other times it will load but not play song number 1. Any chance this is an easily fixable issue? When the machine plays it sounds as great as ever.

My gut tells me to bury the 303 and go "computerized". Is there a primer thread buried within AC that might get me started in that direction?

Is this about right?
1. A quiet laptop or PC-plus a gigantic secondary HD
2. A Squeeze Box 3 or similar
or
3. A USB DAC straight from a PC or laptop or from PC/laptop into SB3 then DAC
or
4. PC/laptop into a moded SB3

What route makes the most sense?

[slugworth]

Does the Cary have a digital in? As far as PC audio, unless money is no object go cheap. Maybe an inexpensive USB DAC like Scott Nixon's or MHDT etc. The technology is changing too rapidly to invest heavily in now.

[EDS_]

Does the Cary have a digital in? As far as PC audio, unless money is no object go cheap. Maybe an inexpensive USB DAC like Scott Nixon's or MHDT etc. The technology is changing too rapidly to invest heavily in now.

The Cary  does not have a digital input, unfortunately. It does have digital outputs.

I've read about the Nixon. I'll check out the MHDT thanks.

[hmen]

It might need a laser realignment.

[Toka]

If it were me (and it ain't), I'd go this route:


1) Build a 2nd/simple PC box, barebones...just an OS, HD, and internet connection (and CD drive/monitor, etc., obviously). Use this (along with Exact Audio Copy, aka EAC) to rip entire collection

2) Feed that into SB3 (with Bolder digital mods, if you like)

3) Feed SB3 into DAC of your choice (I'm parital to Van Alstine, but whatever you enjoy)

4) Umm...guess thats it! 

[rollo]

Hey Man,

    Try cleaning the laser with camera lens cleaner and paper first. If it still does not read discs bring in for service.
     As you know there has been much advancement in digital playback in the last 5 years. so if the reading problem can be corrected, try a late model DA conv. or PC based digital. Just be warned the PC way can be difficult to set up. However if done right the results can be stunning.
    We heard a modified Oliva at a recent Rave meeting and to our ears was quite satisfying[Red Wine Audio mod]. The modded unit sells for $1400 I believe.

   good luck rollo

[EDS_]

Thanks guys.

I'll update with any progress.