How Do You Take Care of Your CD Player ?

[dj_mocok]

I just wanna know how you guys are caring for your CD player, i mean, im sure there are some people who treats their CD players like his/her own baby, and some just chuck whatever dirty CDs into their players and couldnt care less about maintaining them properly.

Do you think basically, if we always have the habit of regularly cleaning the CDs and only playing clean CDs (not dusty or dirty ones), thats all it takes to maintain and care for a CD player ?

Do we actually need to clean the lens (even though its not skipping tracks) regularly ?

I personally never used stuffs like lens cleaners, but just always make sure that my CDs are clean before i play them, nothing more than that...

Any tips on how to make your CD player last for many years and still in great condition ?

I know this may sound simple and stupid, but i kinda have the feeling that there must be the correct way to maintain your CD players (especially if they are expensive) ....

 

[Geise]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok I know this may sound simple and stupid, but i kinda have the feeling that there must be the correct way to maintain your CD players (especially if they are expensive) ....

Yeah, no kidding! I'd like to hear some suggestions myself

Heck, maybe I can apply some techniques on my old game systems that use CDs aswell (my playstation is on it's last leg and I think the laser might just be dirty from neglect).

 

[Welly Wu]

Here is how I clean my source component:

1. Read the manual carefully. For my Pioneer Elite DV-59AVi, the manual specifically states NOT TO USE A COMPACT DISC LENS CLEANER as it will scratch the lens. So, I don't

2. I turn off the unit and unplug the power cord.

3. With the disc tray open, I take a can of pure oxygen and blow it into the unit itself for a few seconds

4. I repeat the same on the back where there are many RCA jacks and stuff like that

5. I don't open up my unit. I figure it will cut down on dust accumulation but I'm open to changing this idea

 

[hop ham]

I have a peice of material covering the top of my cd-player. That way the glass on top doesn't get scratched or dusty. I don't let anything touch the top of it and I try to only use the remote and not use the buttons on the front of the player (yeah, I'm a little anal).

I use my cellphone belt-clip holder to prop up the Virtual Dynamics cord in the back so that there is no stress tugging at the contact - this is only because VD cables are heavy and stiff.

I only use clean CD's. None of my CD's have any scuffs, dust or random crap on them - unless I let someone borrow them (although they will never get to borrow any other CDs from me). Even though I know all my CDs are clean, I still feel a need to look at the bottoms everytime before I put them into the brick loader - funny or weird, whatever you want to call it.

I do the occasional prayer at night. I also sold my soul to the devil so that electricty will never take out any of my components. Thats about it.

 

[Geise]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu 3. With the disc tray open, I take a can of pure oxygen and blow it into the unit itself for a few seconds

Hehe...I think if the contents of those cans were really 'pure oxygen', we'd be seeing ALOT of fire related accidents with them

. I think oxygen is the least of what's in those cans, though I'm just being nitpicky

 

[ProParadox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geise Hehe...I think if the contents of those cans were really 'pure oxygen', we'd be seeing ALOT of fire related accidents with them . I think oxygen is the least of what's in those cans, though I'm just being nitpicky

 

[Ticky]

I normally try to avoid leaving the CD tray open. Other than that, I leave the tray and lenses alone. I leave the CDP's top clear of any items - except for my headphones which is resting on a soft mousepad.

Also, I try to use the remote control as much as possible to turn the unit on/off, open/close tray, play, stop, etc. This helps keep the controls on the CDP itself free from wear. I've observed in the past that the Play, Eject and Forward buttons on my old CDP wear down much faster than the other less frequently used buttons.

That said, I do clean the RCA jacks with Progold every couple of months. Never had any problems with my player.

 

[Bill Ward]

I don't get too caught up in fussing over my equipment. I do try to let the CD player complete each operation before I initiate the next, and I clean the contacts ever quarter with ProGold. I store my CDs in their jewel cases when not in use, so dirty discs are not a consideration. In a dusty environment I'd probably use a cover of some sort, but that's not a problem where I live.

I'm reluctant to use lens cleaners or aerosols because I've heard some horror stories about the results. This may all sound a bit nonchalant, but the player in my speaker system has been operating consistently since 1988 without any other attention.

BW

 

[mulveling]

I just clean discs before using them, keep the top of the player free of dust and well ventilated, and never push or pull on the CD tray.

I also keep it plugged in to a simple surge protector, and often unplug it during a bad thunderstorm, but unfortunately last night the power went out while I had my Jolida CD player paused on a disc. Everything seems to be ok, but I'm a bit paranoid - can my player be damaged by a sudden loss of power, or should I stop worrying so much?

 

[19lexicon78]

my cd-player also gives an indication about dust on the cd, loss of data etc..and i've noticed after i bought a cd..playing 10-20 times the same song and they are not clean anymore. you can't see the dust, but the laser can...

 

[Geise]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulveling can my player be damaged by a sudden loss of power, or should I stop worrying so much?

Most electronics are designed to cope with a sudden loss of power. Infact, if your player does develop problems from the power outage, then it's not very well engineered and you should invest in a better player from another company(especially since you have it plugged into a surge protector). It shouldn't be any different than unplugging it while it's running.

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geise Most electronics are designed to cope with a sudden loss of power. Infact, if your player does develop problems from the power outage, then it's not very well engineered and you should invest in a better player from another company(especially since you have it plugged into a surge protector). It shouldn't be any different than unplugging it while it's running.

That's what I thought; I just needed to hear it from someone with a better understanding of the electronics than me. Thanks

 

[dj_mocok]

Hey, just wondering, do you think these actions will shorten a CDP life ?

- skipping tracks oftenly (or jumping here and there between tracks)

- Playing the CDP for many many hours nonstop (eg. 5 to 6 hours)

- Keep changing CDs only after listening to it for awhile (eg. listening to one CD for 5 minutes, then stop-eject, try another CD for 5 minutes, then change to other CD again....)

- Keep criticising the CDP in front of the CDP where it can hear you...

 

[Budley007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu 3. With the disc tray open, I take a can of pure oxygen and blow it into the unit itself for a few seconds

Just out of curiousity, is oxygen the best choice for this? I'm not dissing your post bro, you've obviously had more experience in this department. But considering the inherent characteristics of this gas, is there anything in your source that would rust, corrode or patina? Again, just curious...I too would like to know a safe way to clean my components and promote longevity. Thanks for the post.

 

[Bill Ward]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok - Keep criticising the CDP in front of the CDP where it can hear you...

I don't think the role of shame in cdp service life has been researched.

There is some evidence that use negatively impacts component longevity; however, disuse has been shown to detrimental as well. Obviously, the prudent path is one of moderation.

BW