[G.Michael]

On my APL-modded Pioneer DV563A DVD/CD/SACD, I'm getting some dropouts when playing SACDs.  Seems to work fine on CD's.  Since the dropout problem started, I haven't used the unit on DVDs, so I don't know if it occurs with DVDs.

Based on my not-so-vast experience with CD players, I'm suspecting the pickup assembly.  (I see no wear on transport top bearing plate, and things look clean inside.  Also, the dropouts occur no more frequencly on the lower-numbered tracks than on the higher-numbered tracks.)  Original assembly is the Pioneer OXX8005, but that's been discontinued, and the replacement is the Pioneeer OXX8018

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/part.asp?productNum=OXX8018

Actual pickup assembly replacement doesn't look especially tricky.

Here's a photo of the complete transport:


So, I'm wonderin' ...
--Do I appear to me missing something here? 
--Is the problem likely something other than the pickup assembly?

It's a very nice unit, warm, analog-ish, so I sure don't want to give up on it.

[some young guy]

why don't you make this same post here: http://www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/

i'm sure alex will help you out.

[G.Michael]

why don't you make this same post here: http://www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/

i'm sure alex will help you out.

Thanks... I just registered at aplhifi; will post after my registration is confirmed.

[G.Michael]

With some advice from Alex, I upgraded the firmware, then replaced the pickup assembly.  I have maybe 4 hours on the unit since, playing both CD and SACD, and it's working fine.

http://www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=658&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[some young guy]

cool, i'm glad it worked out for you. alex is the first guy i go to with any digital issues and he always stands behind his products.