But let's be realistic here, you are taking an obsolete/NLA Sony mechanism and putting it in an over-the-top milled aluminium case in one situation and then considering designing and building a linear motor entire CD mechanism (and control system) in the next. One is a one-off project done for love (I love them too!) and the other is a possible short-run production product with limited appeal and a likely sky-high target price.
As you are aware, the best mechanisms used a BSL/Brushless spindle motor and linear motors for sled control. So you're going to build a BSL motor too? You can't use a stock standard 5.9V Mabuchi brushed spindle motor and expect it to last more than a few years. They are the single most worn out part in CD players due to the strain they are put under by harsh servo drive ICs with aggressive seek times. A BSL/brushless is the only choice.
Are you going to persuade Sony to put the CXA-xxx series ICs back onto silicon to control your mechanism, because there's really no other option is there? Can't see them doing that...ever...and certainly not without supplying the mech to go with it...
Or you can use a Sanyo mechanism and a range of existing ICs (some still in production by various manufacturers) for signal processing and control. Benefit is you can keep entire mechanisms in stock and repairs are easy and cheap. You can still make your over-the-top audiophile casework and all will be well. And the potential for actually being able to make money is a possibility too.
Consider the big players in high end like Accuphase. They still have stock of all the Sony mechs and lasers for their products. All the obsolete ones we know and love. But you cannot buy them. Don't even try.
But a respected player like them, with considerable access to manufacturing resources and a loyal market of Japanese audiophiles who adore the Compact Disc, have also made the decision to use a commodity mechanism going forward. Nothing else would make economic sense would it?
I've got some very first generation players where the entire tracking/focus/sled/RF etc is done completely discrete- no integrated large scale custom ICs and it isn't pretty. They are an absolute nightmare to align, letalone keep in alignment, and they use a dial-cord/worm drive tracking system- no linear motors or sub 1sec access times either. So, building your own front end is challenging to say the least.
I think we've all come to the same place in regards to simplicity of the mechanism- no complicated loading mechanisms, drawers and clamps. No belts to perish and as few gears as possible to crack up. The old Philips CD-100 top loader style. But they weren't the only ones to do early top loading- Sanyo, Toshiba, B&O, Sony etc all did them and once the D-50 Sony was released, we had hand held top loaders.
Personally, I think there is an opportunity to have an audiophile-approved transport that uses off-the-shelf parts and comes with a spare mechanism or two in the box. Just like a spare fuse. A Sanyo mech is plug and play- no alignment required.
