Linn Karik CD player

Discussion in 'DIY Discussion' started by Ianmac, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. Ianmac

    Ianmac IanMacDonald

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    My Linn Karik III CD player has stopped outputting any Audio.
    Front panel controls and transport all work. Power supplies are OK.
    Cant go any further
    LINN do not want to know ----- the product is too old and they do not provide service
    Does anyone have any info schematics or a service manual for a Karik or know of anyone who has or who can service a Karik
    Ian MacDonald
    Ayrshire
     
    Ianmac, Jul 23, 2007
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  2. Ianmac

    zanash

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    has it dropped audio on both channels ......

    this is very rare [if its dac or output stage]

    if it has then its likely to be a psu issue .....

    but obviously without the unit infront of me its a guess.

    The disc is being read ok ?

    have you had the top off ?

    if not try and get in to check that a fuse has not blown ...

    are you certain its the cdp and not the amp ?
     
    zanash, Jul 24, 2007
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  3. Ianmac

    Paul Ranson

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    Ask your local Linn dealer. I think they may have access to service information.

    Do you have a DAC you could hook up to confirm the player is essentially working?

    Paul
     
    Paul Ranson, Jul 24, 2007
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  4. Ianmac

    zanash

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    good advice !
     
    zanash, Jul 24, 2007
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  5. Ianmac

    Ianmac IanMacDonald

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    Power supplies appear to be OK. No burn ups or blown electrolytics on the PCB
    All front panel controls work. Display works
    Disc spins and laser steps tracks when asked.
    Digital output appears to have an unmodulated pulse train.
    I cannot scope any pulses on the inner of the screened cable between the laser and PCB
    cant go any further without a service manual
    Linn will not supply one. Local dealers will not supply one and their service staff are non commital about being able to repair.
    I personally suspect the laser or associated electronics.
    Linn are most unhelpfull they say they do not support any K product ---beware any potential buyers of Kairn and LK amps
    Ianmac
     
    Ianmac, Jul 24, 2007
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  6. Ianmac

    Paul Ranson

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    Paul Ranson, Jul 24, 2007
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  7. Ianmac

    zanash

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    So much for the once vaulted Linn customer support....

    I wonder how many customers they have lost in this way !
     
    zanash, Jul 25, 2007
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  8. Ianmac

    Snoo

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    Must say I'm pretty shocked. Considering the great service you'd recieve from other long standing UK manufacturers with similar historic product lines. Very poor.
     
    Snoo, Jul 25, 2007
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  9. Ianmac

    Paul Ranson

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    Linn offered guaranteed trade in values for broken bits of unsupported kit. But that presumes you want a new Linn CDP.

    The Karik was fully serviceable at Linn for nearly 10 years after it ceased production, how many spare parts do you think a company should store? For a product that now has a value of less than £300? When it costs £250 to fix?

    (Mine still works at 13. If/when it fails I won't be getting upset, I shall see if I can fix it, I may buy another for parts, or I'll just move on.)

    Paul
     
    Paul Ranson, Jul 25, 2007
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  10. Ianmac

    Snoo

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    Wow. Is it that old now? I guess you have a point, Paul. Though you'd maybe hope somebody would try to help in some way. I can still get help from Michell on my Focus. Slightly in contrast, I have just fixed an Arcam Alpha 5 for a friend. Not only did Arcam send me the offending part, they also sent printed instructions on how to replace it. So thumbs up for Arcam!
     
    Snoo, Jul 26, 2007
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  11. Ianmac

    Paul Ranson

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    Arcam are pretty good. I have an original Alpha CD, I wonder how serviceable that is....

    I think Linn dealers have access to 'linfo' and therefore circuit diagrams and parts lists. So you need a friendly one. But if the failure is in an obsolete part, or requires substantial rework of a circuit board you are probably beyond economic repair. DIY OTOH...

    Paul
     
    Paul Ranson, Jul 26, 2007
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  12. Ianmac

    Gregm

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    Hmmm, it doesn't seem to be a transport pb. Clock or oscillator (unlikely though this may seem)???
    Anywhere you can borrow a "Numerik" to see if it "locks"? (Wasn't that supposed to hook up to the Karik?) Maybe it'll help narrow things down in the absence of a service manual.
     
    Gregm, Jul 31, 2007
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  13. Ianmac

    Ianmac IanMacDonald

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    Thanks all, particularly Paul for his link to pinkfishmedia. I have been away for a few days but made some progress. I now have a circuit diagram for a Karik. (If anyone needs a copy let me know)

    I am certain that the laser is the problem. The laser light source is u/s. A voltage is being applied to it when in playmode but no output coming from the signal doides.

    The laser assy is a Hitachi HOPM3 which is out of production and not easy to obtain. I hopefully have one en route from S Ireland.
    A hitachi laser assy HOPM3A was fitted to the last of the Kariks and these seem to me more readily available. The 3A frame is different to the 3 frame but the laser assy looks identical.I have ordered one to see if I can fit the HOPM3A laser assy into the HOPM3 frame.
    Ian MacDonald
     
    Ianmac, Aug 2, 2007
    #13
  14. Ianmac

    Ianmac IanMacDonald

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    Linn Karik III

    Does anyone have the info on how to set up the Laser Current and Laser focus on the Linn Karik 111 ( The PCB on the 111 is different from the earlier models)
    IanMac
     
    Ianmac, Aug 5, 2007
    #14
  15. Ianmac

    Ianmac IanMacDonald

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    Karik 3 CD player

    New Laser fitted player now 95% working.
    There is a problem with the D to A converter chip and I'm having difficulty finding one.
    Chip No
    CS4328 KS
    18 bit dual D/A 28 pin soic package
    Made by Cirrus but now obselete.
    Anyone know where I can source one as an individual item or know of a blown up Karik 3 I may salvage one from.
    Ian
     
    Ianmac, Aug 29, 2007
    #15
  16. Ianmac

    Ianmac IanMacDonald

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    Linn Karik 3

    Have managed to source the parts
    Ian
     
    Ianmac, Sep 5, 2007
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  17. Ianmac

    stappvargen

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    Karik schematics

    Hi Ianmac,

    Hope you have a working Karik by now. :D

    This is my fist post on the forum... In fact this very thread is the reason for me to sign up! I bought a second hand Karik last week,
    fully knowing the laser was a bit iffy at best.
    Hope to be able to replace it with a new unit soon. My karik has serial no 10236, so I need the HOPM3, same as you.
    Is it true that you sourced the HOPM3A instead? How is it working out for you?
    Have you managed to set focus and intensity on the laser? If so, any pointers on how to do so would be much appreciated.
    Lastly, I would love to get my hands on the schematics. Could you please email them to me? ;)


    Thanks for you time.
    Best regads,
    /Niclas
    email: stappvargen(at)hotmail.com
     
    stappvargen, Feb 18, 2008
    #17
  18. Ianmac

    MirageF1

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    Linn Karik Laser Replacement

    Ian can I get hold of the schematics/circuit diagram from you?

    [email protected]

    Regards
    David
     
    MirageF1, Aug 27, 2011
    #18
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