Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    Try cleaning the laser lens assembly.  This is the #1 cause of
    such problems.  A shot of air from a compressed air can should do
    the trick.  (Or you can spend $25 for one of those lens-cleaning
    discs.)
    
    				Steve

    Are you sure the disk even has indexes? I.E cant find whats not
    there... I still haven't used the index feature on mine as none
    of the disks I own use them. I've been told they were used mostly
    for classical recordings(which i have many) but I tend to think
    they are only a myth. Can anyone suggest a good disk that uses them?
    
    -j
    

    RE last two
    
    I have the feeling -1 is talking about something else, but I am
    a bit confused. As I understood from .0, there is a problem that
    the device cannot scan the disk properly, and present the disk length
    in minutes.
    The last reply, however, seems to talk about the indexing *within*
    pieces on the disk (is it called *indexing*? Not sure, but it's
    the subnumbering, right?). An example of this one you can find on
    Tippett's "Child of our time", at least the CD I have of it. If
    you're interested, I can give you the number.
    
    But this won't help the problem of scanning the disk.....
    
    Arie

    Re .2 and good disks that use indexes:
    
    Depends what you mean by a good disk, but here are a couple.  For
    classical music, the CD of John Harbison's Mirabai Songs and Variations
    (on the Northeastern label) uses indexes for the Variations.  Each
    variation has it's own index, while the larger sets of variations
    within the piece have their own track. For rock, the Bruce Springsteen
    live set uses indexes on a couple of tracks that have long spoken
    introductions: index 2 is where the song starts on those tracks.

As the author of the base note, perhaps I should clarify.  I used the word
"index" too loosely; I just meant the player couldn't seem to 'boot' the
CD once I put it in the machine.  

re. .1  Would a new player (less than 2 weeks old) really need cleaning
already?

Anything else that would cause the player to be unable to boot the disk?
Would slight 'damage' to the disk door/tray cause the problem (I found out
my wife was closing it manually rather than using the open/close button)?

Thanks,

Brian

    Re. 5
    
    Return it.  You should never have problems that soon.  It's possible
    your wife damaged part of the drawer assembly, but the store probably
    won't be able to prove it.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Jim

    Jim's right - take it back immediately. Sounds to me like laser
    problems - possibly induced by rough transit. As far as your wife's
    manual closing of the drawer; more than a few players allow you
    to close the draw manually or with the open/close switch. Check
    your manual for sure.....
    
    In any event, return and try to dicker for a replacement unit, rather
    than repairing your present one.......
    
    
                                     Ken
    

I'd like to return the unit, but since it was given to me as a gift (likely
purchased in NYC and I'm in Seattle), I'm not sure I can pull that off.

Do you think an AKAI dealer might swap with me out of the kindness of his/her
heart, or should I call some 800 number and try to talk to AKAI's corporate
types for direction?

BTW, does anyone know anything about this player?  Eg., what is its approximate
retail cost?  It's model CD-A305b.  Thanks

Brian

    Check your local "yellow pages" for the authorised dealer
    in your area. If they unit is under warrantee, they should
    be able to exchange or at least fix it for you. If it is less
    than 30 days old, try and get them to replace it. Suggest that
    you might write some letters.
    
        Wayne

    If the player has an Akai US warranty, you should be able to get
    it repaired or replaced at an authorized service center.  Check
    the warranty literature that came with your player for details.
    
    Of course, if you got a "grey market" player with no warranty,
    you're out of luck...
    
    Looking at Digital Audio's September issue that lists CD players
    by brand, I can't find the particular model you named.  The closest
    current model might be the CD-32-B which LISTS for $329, but I would
    expect to retail for half that.
    
    				Steve

I ended up calling the Akai national customer service office in California
and they gave me the name of an authorized service place in my area. 

The shop replaced some part and adjusted the laser, all under warranty (NC).
Unit seems to be working fine now.

Was able to locate this model of player in the Consumer Reports 1988 annual
guide which reprinted a review of a number of CD players.  The article might
be of interest to anyone who reads this conference.

Brian