DENON DCD S10 CD Player

[SPN35]

Has anyone out there had any experience of setting this player up using the
TEST programme.
The CDs quoted as test CDs are now unobtainable (CA-1094 or CO-76143)
Can any good quality CD be used,as these appear not to be specific "test"
discs,but,Yasuko(CA-1094) and W.A.mozart(CO-76143).
All suggestions welcome
Within reason!!!
Cheers,SPN35

[infinitesymphony]

I asked a similar question when I was attempting to repair a Denon DCM-65 (DCM-370), and was told that the service manuals require a test CD because the tracks on the CD each have specific purposes. Basically, you'll need to hook up an oscilloscope, play back the given test track, and adjust the CDP's controls until the diagram on the 'scope matches the specifications in the manual. So, I think that one of the listed CDs must be used.

Consider calling Denon and asking about a substitute. CA-1094 was about $25 plus shipping from several parts suppliers the last time I checked, but if it has been discontinued, the prices are probably much higher now.

[SPN35]

Many thanks for your reply.
I don't know what the Denon set up in the States is like,but here in Australia
they are pretty hopeless!!.
The player will go along happily for days and then for some reason,mistrack a bit.
Today, I found a DENON CD in my collection and tried that as a set up disc.
So far it's OK!-Here's hoping.
One thing I did find about it is that it give a much larger "eye" pattern than all my other CDs-interesting.
Great to hear from you.

[infinitesymphony]

If you already have a 'scope and a suitable disc, you may be able to get by with just the service manual. I've heard that going through the manual setup can often yield better-than-factory results. Unfortunately, I never got that far because I don't have a test disc, oscilloscope, or service manual, not to mention that my particular player had a laser without any manual tracking adjustments. I've since purchased a used DCM-560 and it's leagues ahead. I imagine the DSD-S10 is a great player that's well worth repairing, since it uses the same DACs as the DCM-560, but more (2 per channel) and higher-grade (K).

U.S. Denon is no better... I don't really like Denon as a company, and I only bought the DCM-560 based on the pedigree of the DAC, being one of Burr-Brown's only two sign-magnitude designs. Their budget equipment is awfully unreliable, but their mid- to upper-end stuff seems worthwhile.

Now that you mention it, I had a skipping problem with the DCM-560 that happened for a few days, then never occurred again. The lubrication on the laser sled had dried up. Perhaps that's your problem? If your player has never had problems reading the Table of Contents (number of tracks, CD length, etc.), then it's less likely to be an issue with the laser itself. Some white lithium grease should work.

[SPN35]

Ditto with the Denon Company-once you have bought it!!
I have tried just about all lubricants known to man(graphite dust included),
Changed the Spin motor,Laser pick-up,rubber bands,12 way ribbon cable-you name it.Scope wise it looks perfect.
When I first bought it(2nd hand-ebay),it didn't like Hybrid CDs at all.
Other people have had this problem and a change of laser fixed it.
I'm just about fed up with it!
If only it didn't sound so good,I wouldn't bother with it any more.
Trouble is,it does. Hey-Ho
All the best,
Eric.

[Mister Crash]

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony

Now that you mention it, I had a skipping problem with the DCM-560 that happened for a few days, then never occurred again. The lubrication on the laser sled had dried up. Perhaps that's your problem? If your player has never had problems reading the Table of Contents (number of tracks, CD length, etc.), then it's less likely to be an issue with the laser itself. Some white lithium grease should work.

Hmm...I have a Denon DCM-560 and on certain discs, it makes this strange fluttering sound ("woo-woo-woo-woo") and starts skipping badly. It happens on about 10% of my discs, and only in certain portions of the disc (like tracks 1-3 or 6-9). It's a physical issue with the disc itself; a CD-R copy of the same disc will play fine. Weird.

[infinitesymphony]

That is weird... How old are the discs, and are any of them noticeably deformed?

[Mister Crash]

No, none of these discs are visibly deformed at all, and they all play just fine in every other CD player I've tried them in. They ranged in age from brand new to about ten years old. Eventually, I had to stop using the Denon for this reason.

[SPN35]

All my CDs are OK too.I think you may be right-some Denons mis-track now and again,regardless of what you do to them.
Since my last post I have replaced the Laser again,done the "set-up" as per the manual and today I ran it for 6 hours without a hitch.
I still doubt that is the end of it though!!