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Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue

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Posted on October 20, 2009 at 08:54:05
Homme De Terre
Audiophile

Posts: 201
Location: North Germany
Joined: August 2, 2004
 Recently I bought a replacement pick-up unit for my SA8400 transport since it had the well known TOC read error.
Actually it works again and I am pretty happy about it but I have read that the Marantz service altered the servo board too in order to avoid that the issue reoccurs.

Now my question is, does anybody know exactly what they altered?
I bought the player in 2004, so it is out of warranty anyway and I'd like to do the modification myself.
I would be grateful for any information in this regard.

Manfred

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on November 4, 2009 at 20:02:52
Junior77
 I have the Marantz SA8260 and what appears to be the TOC error issue, i.e., disc error.

So, according to ServiceWideTech they want $200 for this repair and firmware update.

What does the firmware change?

Is the repair just adding a resistor? If so, how do I go about to fix this, i.e., schematic?

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on November 6, 2009 at 04:35:34
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 It's a simple repair to add the resistor, if you know where the resistor goes and how to take the transport out and put it back. But for the firmware, you have to go to Marantz. The cost is $200 at any Marantz Service Center.

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 20, 2009 at 18:39:28
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 You have SA8400, which has different transport than SA8260. On SA8260 Marantz adds a 1K resistor on one of the chips on the transport board. The TOC issues are fairly common with 8260's, but not heard of same with 8400.

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 23, 2009 at 09:44:51
l1945@sbcglobal.net
Audiophile

Posts: 653
Location: midwest
Joined: July 5, 2007
 I have an 8260, and was sent back to Marantz 13 months ago. Never had a problem with SACD's with the exception that it would not read two in my collection (still won't), but had (and still do)a lot of problems with redbook. What's funny about it is that one day it'll ready most anything, and 24 hours later it won't read half of them. I'm done with Marantz anything as this is the third piece of Marantz equipment I've owned, and all three were junk
gary
Gary
RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 23, 2009 at 19:05:37
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 Obviously the problem was not fixed. Lemons often cause people to change brands in hope that that will fix the problem.

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 24, 2009 at 08:12:59
l1945@sbcglobal.net
Audiophile

Posts: 653
Location: midwest
Joined: July 5, 2007
 everybody I ever knew that had one has the same problems. As a rule I'm pretty gentle on my equipment, and seldom have an issue. I have a 9000ES Sony that's been going for ever and ever (hate the sound, but use it as a DVD player). My Jolida was bought in the second year or production and it just keeps going and going (I did upgrade the tubes, but the others were OK).
gary
Gary
RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 24, 2009 at 15:08:15
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 Not ALL 8260's have the TOC issue. I have one that is the same 2002 vintage as the troublesome ones, that I bought last year, and it works perfectly every time. I've been somewhat amazed as I thought it was really only a matter of time before something would happen. But no. I think it's good for the go.

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 21, 2009 at 09:14:41
Homme De Terre
Audiophile

Posts: 201
Location: North Germany
Joined: August 2, 2004
 Thanks for the info. I had thought the only difference between the SA8260 and the SA8400 was the multi-channel board of the former.
The transport issues are pretty much the same. I checked a couple of German forums and found that a lot of SA8400 quit reading SACDs after a while.

Anyway, do you happen to know which chip they add the !k resitor to and between which pins? I have the service manual so I wouldn't even need to open it up again to check whether the servo board has the same chip or not.

Thanks again,
Manfred

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 21, 2009 at 19:32:02
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 I can send you a photo of modification with resistor installed. But I can't do it until early December when I return home where it all is.
I believe this resistor lowers a voltage to keep the chip from overheating, which is what tends to cause the TOC errors.
It's all very easy to do if you have even minimal soldering skills.

Steve
RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 22, 2009 at 07:58:13
Homme De Terre
Audiophile

Posts: 201
Location: North Germany
Joined: August 2, 2004
 Steve,

I would appreciate that a lot.
I'm not in a hurry right now so December would be cool.
Soldering is no problem, instead of a baby rattle my dad gave me a soldering iron when I was little. ;-)

Thanks again,
Manfred

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 24, 2009 at 05:21:58
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 Manfred,
Has your player had any modifications done to it? Irregardless, have a look here:
http://members.quicknet.nl/ra.vdsteen/index_en.html

Ray's 8400 modifications will take your player to an extremely high level of performance. The most beneficial modifications are to replace the clock with one of the high performing aftermarket clocks, or even build up one of Ray's Flea clocks, and the Discrete Output Stage is a must. The DOS connects direct to the output of the dac chips and completely bypasses all of the Marantz circuitry that destroys so much of the music. I can probably also help you out with a board for the DOS if you are interested.

Anyway, once you get the transport and reading issues sorted out, modifications are the way to go with these players.

Steve

RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 24, 2009 at 09:07:37
Homme De Terre
Audiophile

Posts: 201
Location: North Germany
Joined: August 2, 2004
 Steve,

thanks for the link.
Actually I found Ray's page just yesterday night when I was googling about CD player modifications.
The Flea clock and the DOS look very appealing and I have stocked up my inventory of 2SK170/2SJ74 anyway since they are still available for a reasonable price.
I read on the Pass forum that they have been phased out already.
It would be great if you could help me out with a board.

Essentially I like the SA8400 because it is a rather well-built player.

Thanks again for your helpful information.

Manfred
RE: Marantz SA8260/SA8400 transport issue, posted on October 24, 2009 at 10:38:32
stvnharr
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: November 6, 2003
 Manfred,
Send me a private email please.

Steve

Email sent (nt), posted on October 25, 2009 at 06:44:31
Homme De Terre
Audiophile

Posts: 201
Location: North Germany
Joined: August 2, 2004
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