Non Naim CD Player Problem

The OMS4 was certainly one of the best sounding CD players from Nakamichi, although I think it's a fair way behind by today's standards.  However, that's for a different discussion.  Rhythmic ticking that's loudest and most often at the start of the disc and quietest and least often at the end indicates it's either the drive itself - possibly a bearing fault - or maybe the platter has dropped slightly so something is touching the disc.  Is there any evidence of the latter (look for a faint scrape mark, fine dust etc..)? 

Problem solved. Four screws under the tray were tightened and the sound is gone! Thank you Richard.

Are today's (or recent-ish) CD players really that much better than previous ones? I have a Krell KPS20i, a great player in 1996, but testing it recently against a Naim CDS3 showed a similar level of detail, better bass with the Krell, and other than that, a slightly different presentation, but neither myself nor my host at a top Naim dealership could really express a preference for either. They were both great. Any observations please?

The ticking is back. Turns out that some CDs tick and others are silent. Hmm

I am comparing this OMS4 to a stock Naim CD3 and they are very close. Both are very good. Thats why I am trying find out what the noise is.

vintageaxeman posted:

Are today's (or recent-ish) CD players really that much better than previous ones? I have a Krell KPS20i, a great player in 1996, but testing it recently against a Naim CDS3 showed a similar level of detail, better bass with the Krell, and other than that, a slightly different presentation, but neither myself nor my host at a top Naim dealership could really express a preference for either. They were both great. Any observations please?

The Krell was an excellent CD player - one of the very best from the period.  Different to the Naim alternatives though - very firm and deep bass IIRC, but perhaps not as rhythmically engaging.  I think that Kuma may well still have a KPS25 and has done extensive comparisons with Naim players on here in the past, so worth a search for the relevant threads.

When I worked for Naim as there customer service manager I do recall getting calls from Krell KPS owners who couldn't get replacement Philips CDM4 or CDM9 Pro mechs.  For a while Naim were the only company who had replacement stocks. I recall one Krell owner begging me to let him have one at any price I chose to charge.  I had to tell him that they were strictly reserved for Naim CD player owners and finally he gave up but swore he would be buying a Naim CD player as a replacement. He later rang back and told me he bought a CDS3.

mikeybaby posted:

I am comparing this OMS4 to a stock Naim CD3 and they are very close. Both are very good. Thats why I am trying find out what the noise is.

Age may not be doing one, other or even both any favours, but having had both, I found the CD3 more coloured and perhaps characterful, but also more engaging. The CD3 (with the grey Naim i/c - a MUST) is a super fun player, particularly if you mostly listen to rock, pop, jazz etc..

That’s rather a sobering reminder Richard of why we buy a Naim, and follows  on from the CDX2 thread. You might have hoped Krell would have a similar service policy based on their pricing and stature....obviously not as robust as Naim.

Which grey Snaic are you referring to? I have the original and a much newer one.

No SNAIC is suitable here. I'm talking about the lavender/grey interconnect.  See the one pictured at the top here:

How to ID SNAICs and Interconnects

Richard Dane posted:

 The CD3 (with the grey Naim i/c - a MUST) is a super fun player, particularly if you mostly listen to rock, pop, jazz etc..

Yes, I recall my CD3 sounding much better with the grey (original) interconnect cable rather than the (newer) grey/lavender cable of today. This was a real head scratcher for me at the time as I had convinced myself that the (newer is better) cable was better, not so with the CD3. A different generation perhaps?

I still fondly remember my CD3, it left an impression on me I will never forget

Richard Dane 

 

When I worked for Naim as there customer service manager I do recall getting calls from Krell KPS owners who couldn't get replacement Philips CDM4 or ???? CDM9 Pro mechs. ???? 

This CDM9 Pro mechs was very good,I had an Audiomeca Mephisto CD-drive around 1995.They also use this CDM9 Pro mechs.

I also remember, as you say Richard,that customer called around to find one, to have as a spare parts.....when Philips stop produce it.

Meaningless info,I still have this Audiomeca Mephisto somewhere in the house.Never been used the last 20 years.But it was a very "good looking" CD-drive.

/Peder???? 

The ticking is gone once again. I tested multiple CDs this time. After I drop the CD in the tray of the Nak I push it forward until the edge of the disc is touching the tray and Boom! Problem solved. Crazy but true.