There are about 10 connections to the 900's board and chips. The MSB board is mounted above the 900 board so I'd have to take it apart to see the connections, and the 900 has layered boards I'd have to take apart too, so I'll only be able to photograph the MSB board. There is a 900 schematic in the manuals section of the forum and it has the full schematics for the 900.

Thanks I will check that out.

Anyone else here have a newer 900U that doesn't exhibit the AGC problem?

The 1994 and 95 manufactured models don't seem to have it - the 92 and 93 do to varying extents. It's moderate on one of mine and minor on the other, but both have it and we're made in 93. Panasonic's own tests showed 7 to 14% APL error depending on the player and disc. Stereo Reviews 1992 test unit had 7% error.

Did they mention how they did the measurement(s)?

No, stereo review just mentioned that they used four different test discs, and with LaserDisc, the APL measurment always changes depending on the disc since there are always mastering differences in an analog format.

If we could get some photos of the older models to start with, then hopefully an owner of a newer one can take some as well.

I'm sending my 1993 model to Duncan to be refurbished and have the AC3 mod installed.

He's also going to try to fix the AGC problem.

I'll ask him to post some images of it to this thread when he opens it up.

Did Duncan think he could get a handle on the APL problem? I ask because he hadn't really dealt with it before and it would be wonderful if he discovered the problem and fix.

He hasn't committed to fixing it nor has he mentioned whether or not he has any leads on a solution.

With that being said, he did say that he'd examine it, as he's never come across an LX-900U with the AGC problem before.

Hopefully, I'll get some miraculous news that I have the one '93 model that doesn't suffer from it...

He's also going to try to fix the AGC problem.

I'll ask him to post some images of it to this thread when he opens it up.[/quote]

Did Duncan think he could get a handle on the APL problem? I ask because he hadn't really dealt with it before and it would be wonderful if he discovered the problem and fix.[/quote]
He hasn't committed to fixing it nor has he mentioned whether or not he has any leads on a solution.

With that being said, he did say that he'd examine it, as he's never come across an LX-900U with the AGC problem before.

Hopefully, I'll get some miraculous news that I have the one '93 model that doesn't suffer from it... [/quote]

Did Duncan ever get your player up to snuff and add the AC3?

Did Duncan think he could get a handle on the APL problem? I ask because he hadn't really dealt with it before and it would be wonderful if he discovered the problem and fix.[/quote]
He hasn't committed to fixing it nor has he mentioned whether or not he has any leads on a solution.

With that being said, he did say that he'd examine it, as he's never come across an LX-900U with the AGC problem before.

Hopefully, I'll get some miraculous news that I have the one '93 model that doesn't suffer from it... [/quote]

Did Duncan ever get your player up to snuff and add the AC3?[/quote]

Check the threads around here, I believe that person is out of business and still holding on to many people's players.

My Panasonic LX-900 does not exhibit the problem, as I understand it.

Serial # DA4310035
Manufacture Date: May 1994

I really love this player. It has better vq than my CLD-79. To be fair, my Pioneer has a lot more cosmetic wear than my LX-900 (which is pristine), so I assume it has had a lot more use and might need some TLC.

MSB came up with the AGC fix for their re-badged LX-900U and also did the update for Runco. I never heard of Panasonic incorporating the fix.

There are things that Panasonic did better than Pioneer and some Pioneer did better. But the Panasonic is a nightmare to work on in comparison to a Pioneer unit and Pioneer kept supporting units and Panasonic didn't. So keep enjoying the 900U as is was Panasonic's best unit, and it is a good unit. I personally just prefer the CLD-97 over the other Pioneer units and the Panasonic for a two sided player.

Does this problem affect the LX-600?

My 600 was made in October 1993.

No, LX-600s never had this problem.

Mine was made in December of 93. SN DA3640067. I can't say that I've noticed any issues with it, but I did calibrate mine with Video Essentials and I'm running it through a Faroudja processor.