How is your X0 holding up Julian?
Sorry to dig up a grave but came across this thread and curious.
Has there ever been a X0/X9 shootout?

Working like a charm. Looks like it was either used very little, or kept in pristine shape by its previous owner.

Given the full set and packing box still included, I'd say the previous owner was very proud of it and kept everything meticulously.

I'll have a HLD-X9 in the same very same shape/mint condition to sell at some point.

Julien

as we all know, the HLD-X0 is prone to static discharges of only 30V.

what are you doing to prevent that from say, loading a static charged disc.

do we need to have those Antistatic pads and wristbands to load a disc

into our beloved beast?

I've read this before, is this really true?

Glad I don't own one, we have dry heat in our house during winter and these players would be toast just walking by.

Sadly the built-in power plug of the X0 is not grounded.
Otherwise it would benefit from the power conditioning units I added (see https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?p=124809#p124809) but at least each outlet on the power distribution unit is protected from the other devices.

Can't remember last time I had an electrostatic shock while touching my A/V rack.
Japan is quite humid half the year and I don't have carpet/rugs on the floor.
Rack is made of painted metal and glass, not a likely source of static.

I use the remote to power/open/close, just inserting/turning/removing a disc, basically never touching the player itself.

Julien

The primary side of the HLD-X0 or the LD-S2 which uses many of the same components does not connect the neutral wire of the power supply to unit ground. The grounding to the unit happens on the secondary side. This is true of most electronics. Since the AC input goes into the unit, then goes to the built-in in line surge protector, and then to the transformer in a loop from one power plug prong to the other. The X0 schematic shows a line input as it is the fused side of the two line loop. Which line is considered the neutral does not really matter. If you want, you can take off the bottom and determine which plug prong is the neutral one.

While there is a difference in the DC readings between the neutral primary and secondary sides that is because they are isolated from each other. As stated above US Models have this same primary to secondary difference in the neutral side.

The CLD-97 also has this loop design and would operate the same with the plug in either direction.

As soon as you plug an audio/video/etc. cable into the unit that also grounds the case of the units together making common secondary side grounds.

The HLD-X0 does benefit from the power conditioning of any decent conditioning unit.

So I imported one from Japan and just got it and plugged it in and it makes a clicking noise in back. It doesn't come on fully. Red light comes on for 3 seconds and it shuts off. I don't have a step up/down transformer this won't work on 125v? So would getting a step up/down transformer get it working?

I am thinking possible shipping damage sadly.

Beautiful unit and I hope to get it working. One thing that stands out is the weight of the unit. It's really a pain to lift it up and down. It's so heavy for a disc player.

Since I don't have it working yet cosmetically speaking this is the best well built Laserdisc player I have ever seen. It's amazing. It even blows the Mcintosh 7020 away for build quality this and the X9 don't get me wrong love those Mcintosh's though.

I would definitely use a 100V converter for the X0, you are asking for trouble.



The McIntosh is a Pioneer CLD-97, the X0 is one step above in chassis and weight. SO heavy!!

Julien

I went ahead and ordered the VCT VT-500J off Amazon. It looks like something may have come loose inside during shipping since it makes a clicking noise and shuts off. I'll have to open it up and inspect things if that transformer doesn't get it working.

Do these have removable multiple fuses like some Pioneer LD players do? I am thinking maybe one fuse blew when I turned it on. Not enough to kill all power but enough to get it to not power up all the way.

Not sure... The Service Manual might offer some answers:

https://manuals.lddb.com/LD_Players/Pioneer/HLD/HLD-X0/

Here they are: 125V fuses



Julien

So I opened up the bottom of mine and it has no blown fuses except that thing circled makes a clicking noise everytime and player shuts off. Not sure if that is normal behavior for this player since this is my first one.

Are you using the 100V step-down converter?
If not STOP testing and wait for it.

Service Manual p28/97 has the power assy diagram and p29/97 the PCB.



RY602 is described as a switch relay (the reason it's clicking).
It also seems to be able to drive the power switching (and protecting the player).



Maybe it's not getting the +/-5V it's expecting?
Do you have a voltmeter?

Julien

I did get the transformer and it still does the same thing. No I don't have a voltmeter to measure it. It's likely one of the other boards on the unit not turning on if the PSU is good.

I didn’t realize before the HLD-X0 is slightly wider than the standard rack width. Finally we have something negative about this player. It is not rack mountable.

That's nothing.

As for mine it still won't power on fully only for like 2 or 3 seconds. had it imported from Japan and it wouldn't work when I got it. Opened it up and everything was fine inside. So I am stumped. I will keep it but I did work something out with seller for a 50% refund so basically it's for parts now until I can get it working.

It's meant to be displayed in the living room, not hidden in a rack

Julien

If everything was fine inside it would work.

Believe me it's not. It powers on for 3 seconds and shuts off. The front display doesn't come on but the red leds come on and I can open the tray before it shuts off. There is a ton of boards with this player and I may have overlooked something but it's not fully turning on since I got it. Obviously something happened during shipping and the seller packed it well. It was advertised as in working order so I have no idea why this is happening. This would have been my first HLD-X0 but now it's just a paperweight more or less. I do want to get it fixed if I can figure out what the problem is.

You’re missing my point. There are no external components. Whatever the problem is…it’s inside. If it doesn’t work, it’s not all OK in there.

I hate to be the grim reaper here but I’d say the chances of this machine ever working for you or anyone are less than %5. It’s the most high machine ever, JDM-only, there are no parts, and even in the niche world of LD repair there are few with real experience fixing them. It broke in transit, because you shipped it. Sad, but true.