There seems to be something wrong with my recently bought (in untested state) HF9G player, I just found it out. Digital sound is only heard from one channel, the other channel only produces some static, when using the player's left and right output jacks. I don't think it's the lens, because digital sound is fine when taken from the optical output. Analog sound is mostly fine, but some static is sometimes still heard in one of the channels. I think there is something wrong with the player's digital-to-analog converter.

When playing an audio CD, sound is again only from one channel only.

It's a player that the AC-3 RF jack, but this issue is unrelated to it.

Any suggestions? Though I'm sure I can't fix it unless it's just about cleaning the lens...

My guess would be bad capacitors in the line level audio output stage.

LD player problems are almost never about a dirty lens.

+1


There are actually two discrete DACs used in the CLD-HF9G. It is unlikely there is something wrong with one of the ICs, but anything is possible.

I'd might try replacing the capacitors, if I knew where to find the ones needed replacing. My soldering skills suck, but still...

You could be having cold solder joints on the RCA jack with the dead channel. Have you tried to wiggle the jack with a cable plugged in to see if the sound returns intermittently?

Only one digital channel is dead. If I switch to the CX analog channels, I get sound from both channels, although occasionally there is some distortion heard from the problematic channel. From the optical digital socket, I get both digital channels, without distortion.

Ok. I re-read your first post; definitely not cold solder.

As zeta said, definitely want to check caps and if possible get the service manual to see how the audio signal flows through the audio board.

The CLD-99 service manual might be applicable. Just need to see if the audio section matches up.

It's going to take a few weeks before I can work on the unit. I had to order a voltage multimeter so I can check the capacitors. I've never done this before.

It would help if someone with the proper technical skills could look at the CLD-99 manual's audio section and tell me which capacitors are likely the culprit. Looking the CLD-99 service manual, I can see two seperate SAA7350GP DAC's, which is what the HF9G has, so it does seem similar. I will take the player apart and take some photos, if that helps.

Thanks for all the help.

If you’re lucky there will be visible evidence of leaking caps.

If not then you can desolder and test every cap between the DAC and the jacks. This takes longer than replacing them though so maybe just test them after replacing them all.

All the caps will have values on them. You can probably buy a variety pack from Mouser or some place. Capacitors are cheap.

Btw, this is something a small TV repair place could probably do. Just don’t ask them to promise anything.

If that doesn’t work I guess the next step would be to verify the integrity of any caps in the power section.

I second what Zeta said above.

You can test them in circuit with an ESR meter, but that would probably cost more than just replacing all caps between the DAC and RCA connectors.

Attached is an image of just the right channel for the CLD-99. The aluminum electrolytic capacitors associated with the DAC are circled. The ones for the amplifier are in squares.

There probably is someone within driving distance you could pay to do this for you though if you think it is possible you might damage something in the process.

Thanks, this should be enough info. First, I'll take it apart and have a look at the board and the capacitors. Either I'll decide to do it myself or I'll take it to a TV repair shop.

I've taken some photos of both sides of the audio board. It does seem to be the same or at least similar to the CLD-99's board. The dead digital channel is the LEFT channel.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V4cqR ... Y5BuelTdmj

Thanks for your pictures, I can see that the DAC part # SAA7350GP and PD0116A (Legato Link) + Master list for DAC chips used in LD players, confirms the CLD-99 should be a good fit.

It is actually pretty much the same audio board, check page 21/62 of the CLD-79/99 Service Manual, you'll see the "VWS1139-A" revision.

https://manuals.lddb.com/LD_Players/Pioneer/CLD/CLD-79/CLD-79-EN-Service%20Manual.pdf

Julien

Make sure you replace them with high quality, audio-grade capacitors. I use Nichicon personally: UKZ for all of the MUSE caps, UFG when there isn't a matching UKZ, and UKA for 105C.

Hopefully this will resolve your issue. Either way, I never view recapping as being unproductive.

Thanks. I think I'll try to have it repaired in a TV repair shop. It's too valuable to me to risk damaging the unit. But I'll try to make sure they use good capacitors.

I've owned several LD players, but now my only other players are a CLD-HF7G, which works fine, I just had to replace the loading belt and an entry-level CLD-S280, which also works fine, but has lousy CX analog audio quality (always been that way).

That is honestly the best thing to do when in doubt. Especially when you have problems like this that are not laserdisc specific. Check for audio shops as well. There might be one near you that sells or repairs CD players, tape decks, amplifiers, etc.