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Akai CD-A205 CD Player
- Thread starter Rowan5877
- Start date
JSmith
Master Contributor
Did you possibly mean A405? If so, there is a service manual here after login;
Akai CD-A405 Compact Disc Player Manual | HiFi Engine
JSmith
- Thread Starter
- #3
Hi there. The pictures say a 205. Do you think this might be about the same?Did you possibly mean A405? If so, there is a service manual here after login;
Akai CD-A405 Compact Disc Player Manual | HiFi Engine
www.hifiengine.com
JSmith
JSmith
Master Contributor
Does it? I can't make that out in the image posted. Further, I cannot find any record of an A205 from Akai.
JSmith
JSmith
Master Contributor
Apologies, the dash was the issue in searching as a CDA205 does exist. This place did have a spindle motor at one point;
AKAI AUDIO CDA205 spindle motor |
AKAI AUDIO CDA205 spindle motor Australian Distributor | Appliance Spare Parts | Free Delivery | Same Day Dispatch Guaranteed | Parts List | Installation Tips | Exploded Diagrams | Trade Pricing |
spares.bigwarehouse.com.au
I located some pictures and it seems to be different to the 405;
It's quite possible the laser pickup is the same... but hard to say for sure. Sorry to ask the probably obvious, but have you cleaned the laser lens with isopropyl alcohol? Can you open it up and post some pics? @restorer-john may be able to assist further.
I've got a CD-A610 here at home actually, however it's a carousel model.
JSmith
Last edited:
- Thread Starter
- #7
I have asked the question but he is not interested in opening it up. Shame I like the akai.Apologies, the dash was the issue in searching as a CDA205 does exist. This place did have a spindle motor at one point;
AKAI AUDIO CDA205 spindle motor |
AKAI AUDIO CDA205 spindle motor Australian Distributor | Appliance Spare Parts | Free Delivery | Same Day Dispatch Guaranteed | Parts List | Installation Tips | Exploded Diagrams | Trade Pricing |spares.bigwarehouse.com.au
I located some pictures and it seems to be different to the 405;
It's quite possible the laser pickup is the same... but hard to say for sure. Can you open it up and post some pics? @restorer-john may be able to assist further.
JSmith
Apologies, the dash was the issue in searching as a CDA205 does exist. This place did have a spindle motor at one point;
AKAI AUDIO CDA205 spindle motor |
AKAI AUDIO CDA205 spindle motor Australian Distributor | Appliance Spare Parts | Free Delivery | Same Day Dispatch Guaranteed | Parts List | Installation Tips | Exploded Diagrams | Trade Pricing |spares.bigwarehouse.com.au
I located some pictures and it seems to be different to the 405;
It's quite possible the laser pickup is the same... but hard to say for sure. Can you open it up and post some pics? @restorer-john may be able to assist further.
JSmith
The guy who has it isn't interested in opening it up unfortunately. Just don't want to spend 50 bucks if the laser is no longer available
restorer-john
Grand Contributor
It may not be the laser. Since CD players started mistracking in 1983, people assume all problems are 'the laser'.
That's simply because prior to CD, a mistracking turntable usually meant a badly worn or torn off stylus.
Thing is, laser failure is extremely rare. Usually it's the spindle motor, tracking mechanism, alignment, suspension, power supplies, dirt ingress, lubrication issues etc.
Testing and adjusting the laser assembly requires a Laser Power Meter that measure accurately down to fractions of a milliwatt at the wavelength used.
The Akai badged Korean made machine pictured above could have a variety of mechs and laser assemblies depending on when in the product cycle it was manufactured. Take the lid off and take some photos.
That's simply because prior to CD, a mistracking turntable usually meant a badly worn or torn off stylus.
Thing is, laser failure is extremely rare. Usually it's the spindle motor, tracking mechanism, alignment, suspension, power supplies, dirt ingress, lubrication issues etc.
Testing and adjusting the laser assembly requires a Laser Power Meter that measure accurately down to fractions of a milliwatt at the wavelength used.
The Akai badged Korean made machine pictured above could have a variety of mechs and laser assemblies depending on when in the product cycle it was manufactured. Take the lid off and take some photos.
JSmith
Master Contributor
Geez... and here was me thinking you would have this models parts noted on a bunch of coasters in ya shed ready to go.
Indeed.
JSmith
- Thread Starter
- #11
Na lol. I would have to buy it first. Just not worth it if I don't know the laser.Geez... and here was me thinking you would have this models parts noted on a bunch of coasters in ya shed ready to go.
Indeed.
JSmith
Not much info on the web about Akia's
AnalogSteph
Major Contributor
Or the photodiodes used for laser detection, not a terribly rare fault either apparently. KSS240As seem to be regularly afflicted by bad SMD electrolytic disease. (Speaking of Sony pickups, losing all the spares for their high-end players with linear tracking in the 1995 Kobe earthquake was a major bummer.)
Not to mention the usual oxidized microswitches and corroded belts in drawer mechanisms. Certain Philips mechs are also notorious for crumbling nylon gears.
Hi,
I am new here as I picked up a CD A405 and I saw the topic being new and not decades old.
1.)
You can see a good page when you just search for "cd laser list" in google, it may bring up a list like this one (or similar). There are most (not all) players listed:
vasiltech.narod.ru
According to that information, the CD A405 uses:
DAC: PCM56P-J
Laser: MLP-4
If you want to search for laser, often the term "pickup" is used, so try that. NEVER buy any laser that says "is for CD A405" - they rip you off. Search the part number, and search for that.
2.)
I picked up a CD A405 in black and it did not 100% fully work maybe - I checked it over and that is what I did to make mine work:
First, the rubber band/belt was worn and it needs a good one as it pushed down the CD inside the drawer. That's why it takes so long to eject as the first spins are just moving the CD up, and if that is completed, the CD drawer comes out. So make sure that it is a new belt or working as it may also impact performence.
Secondly, check the board, there is a place on the upper left side with some Aluminium cooling fins where I had some glue applied. This glue can turn to corrode metal and also conduct power, so basically it can screw up your board or parts. It was not in a serious amount or in critical components, but it did touch some metal clamps/zero ohm resistors that it may impact something. And if not now, it may corrode something in the future, so remove all the brown colored brittle glue and make sure the parts are clean and seperated. Do NOT remove the board, I looked down and there is nothing I found. There is no glue on the bottom and no bad solder joints, so as long as it works, dont touch it. Why do I say that? Because they have some re work done with many parts and wires and whatever, so it's not worth to get into problems if you dont have to, e.g. when a wire falls off or something.
Thrid, I unplugged all the plugs and one GND ground wire (left top screw of the board) and removed the mechanism. At best, open the CD drawer and unplug the power. Close it manually, BUT NOT FULLY CLOSE IT. Leave a gap of about 1 inch or 2-3 cm open. Then unscrew the screws, there may be 3 screws on the bottom and 2 on the top (you can only see/remove those when the drawer is open). Unplug the plugs, I guess it is 3 plugs and the ground wire. Then slide the mechanism out through the back. The lid of the drawer fits through the opening. Turn the drive around and replace the belt. Also remove all the old greece (its really old and sticky and disgusting maybe) that they used and maybe lubricate the rails. You should not really use oil but if you dont have anything, take a Q tip and go over the rails, it will make it a bit better or mix it with the old stuff etc.
You can remove 2 screws on the top on a metal piece (its the magnet that spins the disk) to get a bit more access to the laser. You can slights clean the lens with IPA 99% alcohol but in my case it was pretty clean anyway. First maybe check the rest, or see if it is dirty, because cleaning the lens also is a bit of a risk, so do it step by step maybe.
What else? Well mine kinda read the disk well but did not like to go to the next track, but I think it was because of the rails and oil and stuff. After some use (it may have been sitting for years before I bought it) I let run through some CDs and after some "exercise" it also jumped well between the tracks. It makes a littles noise but I guess that is okay. It's really quick in reading in the disk and everything.
There are also 5 potentiometers on the board, at least. They are also marked with T GAIN, T Offset (Tracking) etc. You can maybe try to play a bit with those, depending on what your machine does. MAKE IMAGE BEFORE CHANGING anything. Change one by one in each direction by maybe maximum 1mm, and see if it goes better or worse. I did not have much response from those pots, but depending on your issue it may get better. There also maybe another pot directly on the laser, I did not go that deep.
You have to tell us what to does, I am not a wizard to see your unit. You know? Open it up, the laser is covered, but DO NOT TOUCH THE POWER SUPPLY, IT HAS MAIN VOLTAGE. PSU is behind the CD. Other than that, nothing much can happen. So see what it does? Does it take in the disk well? Or is the belt worn? Maybe it never goes down inside correctly? If so, does it spin the disc? Does it tell you what numbers and length the CD has on the front display? Or does it not maybe play correctly? If the latter, it may be down to the rails and the sticky disgusting oil they used. It will not move correctly and get into hiccups.
It do not have any issues with the laser, it also reads CD-R media.
3.)
Depending on where you are (I am from Austria) I have mine up for sale here (220V Unit):
I can ship it to you as long as you pay the shipping but if you are from USA or something it may not be worth the shipping cost.
Good luck and tell us what happens.
I am new here as I picked up a CD A405 and I saw the topic being new and not decades old.
1.)
You can see a good page when you just search for "cd laser list" in google, it may bring up a list like this one (or similar). There are most (not all) players listed:
CD-Player-DAC-Transport List
According to that information, the CD A405 uses:
DAC: PCM56P-J
Laser: MLP-4
If you want to search for laser, often the term "pickup" is used, so try that. NEVER buy any laser that says "is for CD A405" - they rip you off. Search the part number, and search for that.
2.)
I picked up a CD A405 in black and it did not 100% fully work maybe - I checked it over and that is what I did to make mine work:
First, the rubber band/belt was worn and it needs a good one as it pushed down the CD inside the drawer. That's why it takes so long to eject as the first spins are just moving the CD up, and if that is completed, the CD drawer comes out. So make sure that it is a new belt or working as it may also impact performence.
Secondly, check the board, there is a place on the upper left side with some Aluminium cooling fins where I had some glue applied. This glue can turn to corrode metal and also conduct power, so basically it can screw up your board or parts. It was not in a serious amount or in critical components, but it did touch some metal clamps/zero ohm resistors that it may impact something. And if not now, it may corrode something in the future, so remove all the brown colored brittle glue and make sure the parts are clean and seperated. Do NOT remove the board, I looked down and there is nothing I found. There is no glue on the bottom and no bad solder joints, so as long as it works, dont touch it. Why do I say that? Because they have some re work done with many parts and wires and whatever, so it's not worth to get into problems if you dont have to, e.g. when a wire falls off or something.
Thrid, I unplugged all the plugs and one GND ground wire (left top screw of the board) and removed the mechanism. At best, open the CD drawer and unplug the power. Close it manually, BUT NOT FULLY CLOSE IT. Leave a gap of about 1 inch or 2-3 cm open. Then unscrew the screws, there may be 3 screws on the bottom and 2 on the top (you can only see/remove those when the drawer is open). Unplug the plugs, I guess it is 3 plugs and the ground wire. Then slide the mechanism out through the back. The lid of the drawer fits through the opening. Turn the drive around and replace the belt. Also remove all the old greece (its really old and sticky and disgusting maybe) that they used and maybe lubricate the rails. You should not really use oil but if you dont have anything, take a Q tip and go over the rails, it will make it a bit better or mix it with the old stuff etc.
You can remove 2 screws on the top on a metal piece (its the magnet that spins the disk) to get a bit more access to the laser. You can slights clean the lens with IPA 99% alcohol but in my case it was pretty clean anyway. First maybe check the rest, or see if it is dirty, because cleaning the lens also is a bit of a risk, so do it step by step maybe.
What else? Well mine kinda read the disk well but did not like to go to the next track, but I think it was because of the rails and oil and stuff. After some use (it may have been sitting for years before I bought it) I let run through some CDs and after some "exercise" it also jumped well between the tracks. It makes a littles noise but I guess that is okay. It's really quick in reading in the disk and everything.
There are also 5 potentiometers on the board, at least. They are also marked with T GAIN, T Offset (Tracking) etc. You can maybe try to play a bit with those, depending on what your machine does. MAKE IMAGE BEFORE CHANGING anything. Change one by one in each direction by maybe maximum 1mm, and see if it goes better or worse. I did not have much response from those pots, but depending on your issue it may get better. There also maybe another pot directly on the laser, I did not go that deep.
You have to tell us what to does, I am not a wizard to see your unit. You know? Open it up, the laser is covered, but DO NOT TOUCH THE POWER SUPPLY, IT HAS MAIN VOLTAGE. PSU is behind the CD. Other than that, nothing much can happen. So see what it does? Does it take in the disk well? Or is the belt worn? Maybe it never goes down inside correctly? If so, does it spin the disc? Does it tell you what numbers and length the CD has on the front display? Or does it not maybe play correctly? If the latter, it may be down to the rails and the sticky disgusting oil they used. It will not move correctly and get into hiccups.
It do not have any issues with the laser, it also reads CD-R media.
3.)
Depending on where you are (I am from Austria) I have mine up for sale here (220V Unit):
I can ship it to you as long as you pay the shipping but if you are from USA or something it may not be worth the shipping cost.
Good luck and tell us what happens.
