written by Nick Neptune. on 19/11/2002
Good Points
Great clarity of sound, and open sound stage. Great value for money, as it only cost £70 from Richersound.
Bad Points
Reliability Problems with Sony Mechanism.
General Comments
Player has provided great service for some 18 months, and then decided it wouldn't read the TOC (Table of Contents) when loading a disc. The was traced to the spindle motor, the CD5 uses a SONY KSS-213C Mechanism. I traced a replacement mechanism without Laser for £20. But then found CPC electronics (www.cpc.co.uk) sell the original part for only £4.76 +VAT. The CPC part number is "AVMT11". The part number on the motor is "RF-310T-11400". The CPC sell this motor as a generic CD spindle motor, but when i arrived in the post, it was the exactly the same manufacturer and model number of the motor is was replacing. Now the CD player works great again, and sounds better then ever. I guess the worn motor was causing the servo system some stress, and hence effecting the sounds staging.