i was a damn fool, i got gutsy and tried to adapt the twin power trannies of the japanese PD-3000 i have to my functional PD-91 chassis. D'OH, how could i be so stupid?!?! now it no longer works, even though i reversed back to the original transformer. i learned my lesson in earnest, now i'm forced back to the DENON DCD-1500 i had before this beauty, and i'm so dearly missing all the minute detail and resolution of the 91. does anyone know anything about this? is it realistic to consider having it serviced, or simply replaced with another copy? i swear i'll never pull a stunt like this again...

Did you check the fuses on the cdp power supply?

it powers up, the tray expels, but when loaded, it will not spin up to synchronize. it just sits there, no matter what. i tried readjusting the pick-up control pots, to no avail. i was worried that i zapped the LD in the pickup when i tried the twin trannies, so i took the pickup out of the PD-3000 chassis, and put it in the 91. still nothing. so went ahead and put the original back in. i'm beginning to think that this 91 chassis is a lost cause. i'll look at it some more, but i do not believe i'll be getting anywhere. one thing though; the transport assembly is INCREDIBLY well designed. pick-up replacement couldn't be easier; you could have it done inside five minutes if you're fast, and happen to have the 3000s seperated aluminum top plate like i do. let's say ten minutes for the average U.S. PD-91, as you have to remove the wood panels, as well as a typical PIONEER three-side bonnet. this CDP was made for me, and regardless of
whether i fix my current example, or replace it with another, i'll have a functional example again someday, and i'll NEVER let ANYTHING happen to it. it was/is the VERY BEST CDP i have ever owned, and the only single disc CDP i wish to have in my system for as long as i can keep one running. i learned my lesson in earnest, and that lesson is that the design engineer(s) knew EXACTLY what they were doing, and F$&King around with their masterful design IS NOT a good idea...

If the disc does not start spinning at all, focus lock is probably not being achieved. IMO, you probably have destroyed the laser diode. Or could be just because it was an old laser...

perhaps, but that does not explain why it did not spin up to read the TOC after i installed the secondary pick-up. i know for certain that that one is still quite alive...

It's an uncommon beast.

Sounds like you are a pretty smart fella, but maybe it's time to turn it over to a tech that might be a bit more educated or trained in this.

ST members don't let good CDPs stay unbroken....

don't worry, that is exactly what i intend to do. i came to a resolution; i put the PD-3000 back together, using the best screws and whatever other salvageable parts, such as dampening pads and the like, from the PD-91 hulk. the 3000 is beautiful and nearly mint, and superior in fit, finish, electronic design and build quality to the 91. so, i'll be taking it in to Doug up in PORTLAND just as soon as i possibly can, to be refurbished, no expense spared. this will be the CDP to last me life, and i will allow NOTHING to ever happen to it. the ONLY tinkering i'll EVER perform will be the occasional pick up replacement, which could not be easier on this model. the most labor intensive part of accessing the chassis on the 91, having to undo about 11 screws to remove the wood panels and top bonnet, is simplified in the 3000 to 7 screws and a aluminum top plate. after that, it is five minutes or less to remove the disc stabilizer cage, undo a screw and and a hex headed bolt, and swap out pick-ups. i have been blessed with arguably the most beautiful, reliable, well designed CDP ever crafted, and i'll never piss on my good fortune by dinking with it again. in the meantime, i am back to my trusty DENON DCD-1500, which sonically holds up suprisingly well to the nevertheless obviously superior PD-91, to say nothing of the 3000, which sits atop my bookcase safe and sound until the day come when i can take it in...