Philips CD 304

[Brumm]

My workshop CD player (Technics SLPG 520A) gave up the ghost a few days ago. Something in the motor I think; The CD does turn only if it gets manual help.

So I thought maybe I find something better, and bid on a Philips CD 304 (with that famous all-metal drive unit). I wondered that nobody else seemed to bid, and so I got it. it is here since a few hours and works fine. It was a bit more expensive than the Technics, though...

Nevertheless, I would be interested if someone has positive or negative comments about this old iron.
I seem to remember that someone once mentioned having a similar type (CD 104??), but cannot find it.

Maybe I will keep the Technics box for Nigel's speed controller...

Greetings, Hansrudolf

[GP49]

Since it sounds like you are into at least SOME DIY:

Before giving up on the Technics (it doesn't work so you have nothing to lose), open it up and try the following:

Just barely dampen a cotton swab and use it to wipe any dust off the laser pickup's lens.

Dig into it enough that you can get to the bottom of the disc drive motor.  You will probably find two small slots in the bottom plate, on either side of the center shaft of the motor.  Use a can of contact cleaner, with its little plastic snorkel, and give the insides of the motor a couple of squirts, then spin the motor by hand a few times.  Often dirt and dust gets on the commutator of the motor; this may be just enough to clean it.  

If this works, GREAT!  If it doesn't work, the laser output may be degraded with age; probably not worth fixing but that depends on the cost of a new laser pickup.  You can STILL use the cabinet for Nigel's speed controller!

You can even download a Technics SLPG 520A service manual for free, if you wish, at http://elektrotanya.com/technics_sl-pg_520a.pdf/download.html

[nic]

My workshop CD player (Technics SLPG 520A) gave up the ghost a few days ago. Something in the motor I think; The CD does turn only if it gets manual help.

So I thought maybe I find something better, and bid on a Philips CD 304 (with that famous all-metal drive unit). I wondered that nobody else seemed to bid, and so I got it. it is here since a few hours and works fine. It was a bit more expensive than the Technics, though...

Nevertheless, I would be interested if someone has positive or negative comments about this old iron.
I seem to remember that someone once mentioned having a similar type (CD 104??), but cannot find it.

Maybe I will keep the Technics box for Nigel's speed controller...

Greetings, Hansrudolf

Th3 304 was my very 1st CD player back in the 80s... shame i didn't keep it!

It's Chris (Autobayer) who just recently bought a 104...

[esselettronica]

Hi Hansrudolf
if it can be of help, below is the link for the service manual Technics
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/55990/Technics_SLPG520A.html
the model that you have a mechanical Philips CDM4-19
 is quite reliable and are rare cases of problems with the motor plate, however, should groped cleaning of the collector motor, and a verification of the brushes

 If you need, I have 2 mechanical CDM4-19 complete replacement
CD 304 is a great car, personally I own two of one silver and one black
 are special, that can read any disc, burned discs I listened too, and not finalized!
 very good converter, and power supply very nice, but sometimes may need to refresh the electrolyte
 CDM1 mechanics is the same that is mounted on the Revox and Meridian
 (the choice is not random ..)
 the output buffer could be improved, perhaps with a tube stage, would test the nerves of many machines
Best Regards
Frenk

[autobayer]

Hansrudolf.
Nic is right.
I run a modified CD-104 day by day and I love it.
Those machines - and the CD-304 as well incorporate just the best transports with a very, very good DAC set (TDA 1540 / 1541).
But - if you modify them or have them modified to run in the Zero Oversampling mode, you will be granted with a whole new experience - several curtains are gone.
Best wishes
Chris

[Brumm]

Thanks for all the tips for the Technics. After downloading (with some troubles) the service manual I tried to dismount the drive, but could not even see the third screw (front left side). As I did not want to tear all down I gave up finally and put all back. To my surprise the player works again now...
Well I think it will find a place in the holiday house.

About the 304...I don't think I want to modify it. It is the workshop system (with cheap Sony bookshelf speakers), I am not absolutely sure if it has the same innards as shown in the description of Lampizator, and not the least I am not sure if I would hear a difference. Is not one of the "positive points" one hears saying about the PS1 that it uses no oversampling? Well mine works and makes music... but not any different than the (expensive) Holfi Xandra....for my old ears.

Grin, duck and run as they say...

Hansrudolf

[Johan]

I tried to dismount the drive, but could not even see the third screw (front left side). As I did not want to tear all down I gave up finally and put all back. To my surprise the player works again now...

Well done!

Last week I opened my Nakamichi CR-2E tape deck because it refused to run. After some work I decided I will never understand where the fault is and just reassembled it without having done anything.  To my surprise the deck now works again.

Quite funny; we open them, don't understand a thing, then put it all back and voïla, done, back in business! 

[strata]

The ghost in the machine was active there. 

[GP49]

Self-healers will drive you nuts.

Never knew what the problem was; probably never will.

Never know whether it will come back, either!!!

Rule of thumb in repair shop: if you charge the customer for a self-healer (other than for an upfront diagnostic fee), it will DEFINITELY break down again.

[the-stones]

You might be interested in this:
http://lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/REFERENCES/Philips%20Cd-304%20MK-II/Philips%20cd304.html

to see what you can do to get the best out of a 304 

[Brumm]

Thanks Torben; very interesting, but unfortunately I have Mk1, not Mk2!!

Greetings, Hansrudolf

[a91gti]

Hansrudolf.
But - if you modify them or have them modified to run in the Zero Oversampling mode, you will be granted with a whole new experience - several curtains are gone.
Chris

Wholly agree, I did this mod on a Marantz CD52(iirc) and was amazed at the sound you can get for £20 and an hours snipping and soldering!