SCompRacer

Thanks Rich. I took the cover off and removed the cover to the reader. After cleaning the laser head with isopropyl alcohol and reassembly I found that the unit played the hybrids as SACDs. I did get a good look at the reader assembly and think it not too difficult to replace if I have to in the future. Partstore.com wants $85 for the reader now. Again, thanks a lot for the heads up on the solder on the trace! -=R0b=-

There is some de-soldering involved after the reader is installed. Sony places a blob of solder across some circuit traces to prevent shorting out the reader while being handled/installed. A small soldering iron is all that is needed along with a desoldering bulb to suck the solder off the trace. Or you can use a de-soldering wick to attract the solder from the board. A wick is just is a flat peice of finely braided wire. Taking a before picture before disassembly would help so the CD carrier tracks go together easier. Some white lube on the tracks helps prevent binding of the CD tracks. Mine was working pretty slowly before I took it apart. Whatever lube you use has to be safe for plastic.

Not much heat is required to de-solder the blob. Too much heat may harm the traces.

If you are uncomfortable with the reapir, maybe check around locally for electronic repair places or CD modding shops.

Hello Rob,

I know cleaning didn't help mine read SACD's.

It wasn't too difficult to swap out the optical reader. It was mostly small screwdriver work IIRC. The CD carrier unit had to be removed, so some wires have to be disconnected. A ground strap worn around the wrist and plugged into the ground of an electrical outlet (like one would use when working on the inside of a computer) will help prevent static electricity from destroying components.

Continued...not enough space.

Hello, I am new to this forum and joined primarily because of a posting you made in February, 2008 re: optical reader for a Sony NS999ES SACD player. My 999 is like the one in the thread - will not recognize hybrid SACD's. You talked of replacing the optical pickup (reader) - part number A6062709A from www.partstore.com/Default.aspx. I've not had the cover off this machine. Is this a hard job - or just 'plug and play', like part to like part? Another talked of just cleaning the heads with Isopropyl Alcohol and there was also talk of sending the unit back to 'Laredo' which I assume is the Sony repair place. I would appreciate any help you can give me. This unit has been used for the past 4-5 years to play DVD's for my home entertainment and now has been replaced with a BlueRay unit. I now can use the 999 for some serious SACD listening on my stereo system. It will place a SACD disk but not the 3 other hybrid SACD I have in my collection. -=Rob=- in NJ, USA

Rich, take it from someone who lost their VERY BEST FRIEND of over 35 years. He too died way too young from a massive heart attack at the age of 49. I still miss him and it has been 5 years now. I still want to tell him how bad his golf game is and how I beat him every year in picking the NCAA basketball tourney. He did happen to beat me picking the tourney only about a week before he died. The loser alwasys had to buy the winner a round of golf. I never got to pay my debt.

The only thing I can tell you in this time of great sadness is....

Don't be sad your friendship is over...Be glad it happened that you had such a good friend.

Take care Rich. I will remember you in my prayers.

Steve