Any experience with a Mark Levinson ML390S CD player?
 

My buddy has a Mark Levinson ML390S which after a few back and forth journeys across the Atlantic only gives error messages when he inserts a CD. Seems to be a typical issue with this unit.

What he knows is that it uses Phillips Lasers and Hartman charges a minimum of $1,000 to look at and diagnose/repair the unit unless the repairs exceed that amount...

My question is:

-- does anyone have experience replacing one of these lasers?
-- is it best to buy a full 'assembly' or can you just replace the laser?
-- are there difficulties 'aligning' the laser if we only buy that part?

TIA

Craig

One of my friends had one for years, it's a wonderful player. He sent it back to Levinson when the laser died. They replaced the whole mechanism. Special test-equipment is required to align the laser.

There is one of these on Ebay for $1125. I would invest in a working unit before sinking $1k into repairs.

Any experience with a Mark Levinson ML390S CD player?
 

Thanks for the ideas and input. We are thinking of sinking a couple of hundred to replace the laser and hope the 'the special equipment' is BS...

I used to own it,had it for several years...the laser failed on me and i had it replaced...ultimately replaced it but enjoyed it for many years

Any more users of the 390s around?