As few days back my CEC TL0 MKII got broken. It severally mistracks and as it slides out of the optical grove it never goes back, creating horrible sound. The problem is pretty much even-distributed across the whole CD surface. It started on a few disks a few weeks back and not it happens on each disc with a few second of placing. Would TL0 be a regular transport then it would be bad but this is not a regular transport but rather irreplaceable transport. So I am naturally disturbed by this.

Of cause I clean up all transport’s optics with no result. Then I noted that the main axis, the spindle upon wish the CD sit has a wobbling, the bearing is worn out. In this transport the CD axis is not sit on a motor, it is belt driven transport. Still to preplace the main bearing sound a bit complicated to me. I would need to manufacture a new cylinder bearing, that is kind of doable but from what I observe the bearing’s external wall looks like is integrated into a larger body. So to remake all of it would be a nightmare. For sure the disc axis should not have any swaying but I wonder if it is the source of the problem. The bearing did not get work over a week or two but the problem begin to appear pretty much 2-3 weeks ago. So, I might suspect that the transport laser lost power or become dead for any other reason.

Well, I know that it is possible to add some laser power but it is kind of finicky ceremony and reportedly could easily burn laser. Still, I will try to do it as I need my CD transport back. The new laser assembly is sold by audio dealers for $400. The none-audio dealers sell the same ANYO SF-P1 Laser Head for $45. I have lorded one, just in case I do burn the original laser.