Stanton CDJ's - Where to get fixed?

[wilbarrett]

Ahoy there,

My housemate and I have a pair of Stanton 314 CDJ's that are about 15 months old.
In the last 6 months we have been finding some of the buttons (Cue and Play) have been getting sticky, particularly in one of the units and to the point of it being frustrating.

Just lately, we have also been experiencing issues with one of the players not reading discs (audio, mp3 or otherwise) every now and then.
It is VERY intermittent, and I played for 3 hours the previous weekend with no issues at all, but it took half an hour the other day just for the CDJ to read a disc.

Has anyone owned these decks and had similar issues?

I have read about a string of issues with the 314's on DjForums, but can't seem to find out whats going wrong with the disc reading issue.
Could the laser assembly be damaged?
As for the sticky buttons, it seems like a very common problem with these decks and on that particular forum site they recommend changing the switches in the electronic circuit to a better quality unit.

And my final question is where should I take them to get fixed?
I spoke to Store DJ who recommended a repair shop (can't remember their name now) who are authorised Stanton repairers, but after a quick call, I got the impression it could get expensive quickly.

Thanks for any help.
I know these decks were cheap and that it may just be easier (cheaper) to purchase a new deck instead of repairing, but if anyone has any advice, that would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Wil

[GrEnNo]

u pay cheap, u get cheap

[slackas]

Have you checked the manua, for authorised repairersl?

Anyway you turn its going to be expensive trust me.

[Lloyd C]

Jands in Sydney are the people you are after for repair

[wilbarrett]

u pay cheap, u get cheap

Thanks Grenno, appreciated.


The manual points to the same place that Store DJ recommended, at least for authorised repairs anyway.
But considering they are out of warranty, I just thought that we might be able to check out a more electronics-based repairer (thinking along the Jaycar line of things here) so we can keep the cost down.

From reading up on other users problems with the 314's, there seems to be a main capacitor in each unit that can benefit from being upgraded, as well as replacing the switch units for several of the main buttons.

I guess what I was initially asking, was if anyone has had any experience with electronic repairs through generic electronics shops?

And if I am able to source the spare parts (switches, capacitors, laser assembly??) and get an electronics repairer to install and solder those new components, then I imagine it would be cheaper than going through an authorised Stanton dealer.

[louislogic]

when i've had faulty stanton equipment i usually take it to the same place.. had good experiences in the past..

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/rubbishPA2308_468x316.jpg

[Peakin Pecan]

im in a similar boat to u will. i have a pair of denon s3500's that are 20 months old and i have struggled with the same problems u have mentioned. the cue buttons have gotton so sticky/non responsive i often have to tap it twice for it to register, and one deck would often not read discs, until it wouldnt read anything fullstop. i got it repaired under warranty, but it came back with the same problem. luckily the nice guys at the Syd DJ warehouse gave me a brand new deck.

how much did u get quoted for replacing the cue button and components? i'd be very keen to get mine fixed. do the stantons have rubber buttons? the denons do, i blame the rubber. this would never happen on the metal buttons of a 1000

[wilbarrett]

when i've had faulty stanton equipment i usually take it to the same place.. had good experiences in the past..

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/rubbishPA2308_468x316.jpg

Thats an interesting-looking electronics store, I shall look into that.

PPecan; yes, the buttons on the Stanton are rubber, so I imagine the inherent 'flex' of the button leads to inconsistent pressure being applied to the electronic switches underneath.

However, in this thread:

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131930

the authors suggest that it is the quality of the switches that is the main problem, and they list the relevant parts numbers for replacement switches that are supposed to fix the issue.

Being an electronics component, I believe that these switches could be obtained from a non-Stanton dealer, possibly somewhere like Jaycar electronics, which I will be looking into.

I think once you have the components, it is fairly easy to take out the electronic board and take it to someone who has competent soldering skills to install those components. And all up, although with a lot more effort and no guarantees, it would be possible to fix the buttons (and other issues) a lot cheaper than it would be to take to the authorised repairer

[wilbarrett]

Here is the link for the aftermarket buttons:

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/979953-switch-tact-6mm-sq-150gf-mom-b3f-6022-by-omz.html

These are a better quality tact switch that will fit the Stantons, not sure about the Denons.
I may order a bunch and replace the switches on our decks.

As for the disc-reading issue, I thought I would also mention that when the CDJ can't read a disc, when I've inserted the CD, there is a "clicking" noise coming from the cd-drive.
It sounds like there is something knocking as the cd rotates, in 3 second intervals.
And when the LCD display states "no disc", the noise stops as the cd stops rotating.

Any ideas?

[Lloyd C]

Here is the link for the aftermarket buttons:

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/979953-switch-tact-6mm-sq-150gf-mom-b3f-6022-by-omz.html

These are a better quality tact switch that will fit the Stantons, not sure about the Denons.
I may order a bunch and replace the switches on our decks.

As for the disc-reading issue, I thought I would also mention that when the CDJ can't read a disc, when I've inserted the CD, there is a "clicking" noise coming from the cd-drive.
It sounds like there is something knocking as the cd rotates, in 3 second intervals.
And when the LCD display states "no disc", the noise stops as the cd stops rotating.

Any ideas?

call Jands service tomorrow and see what they say. They would have seen these problems a millions times and should be able to steer you in the right direction.

FYI - apparently the switches were upgraded in the C.324 decks since there was too many failures on the C.314

[wilbarrett]

call Jands service tomorrow and see what they say. They would have seen these problems a millions times and should be able to steer you in the right direction.

FYI - apparently the switches were upgraded in the C.324 decks since there was too many failures on the C.314

Yeah right, thats interesting. Hopefully I can find out what switches they are using in the new units then.

I reside in Melbourne, but I may try contacting Jands tomorrow to see what they say and what they can help me with. They may be able to send me down some of the switches and I can get a competent repairer to solder them in.

[Peakin Pecan]

Yeh totally, my Denon used to make a horrible clicking noise too when it said 'disc error', incrasing in pitch. kinda went "click... click.. click. click clickclickclick etc etc.

i have since realised that it is very unhealthy for high-grade electronics to click like that :meh:

[wilbarrett]

PPecan - When you had the deck replaced with the new one, did they say what was wrong with the original unit? As in, what the clicking noise was?

[wilbarrett]

Ok so I chatted to the guys at Store DJ today and they contacted Jands who have advised us to take the faulty deck to JLS in Doncaster.
I've sent off an email to find out what their thoughts are about the problems and if I have time this week, will take it in to get a quote on the repair.

Will keep updating on any revelations

[ryzieh]

If anyone has a problem with denon gear you should call Audio Products Group who import it here in Aus, they're in sydney and i've never had a problem with their service taking too long or them 'ripping someone off' as far as an outside of warranty issue was concerned - in some cases they've even upgraded firmware or replaced parts for free outside of warranty, without even giving a sob story!

Jands has service centres all across australia in every capital city, though if you ever have a problem with a stanton cd player you should contact the place of purchase as they're a direct credit item under warranty and outside of warranty would become a service item, however i know that if someone's had one a couple of months out of warranty we've just managed to get them credited anyway.

:)

[Lloyd C]

If anyone has a problem with denon gear you should call Audio Products Group who import it here in Aus, they're in sydney and i've never had a problem with their service taking too long or them 'ripping someone off' as far as an outside of warranty issue was concerned - in some cases they've even upgraded firmware or replaced parts for free outside of warranty, without even giving a sob story!

Jands has service centres all across australia in every capital city, though if you ever have a problem with a stanton cd player you should contact the place of purchase as they're a direct credit item under warranty and outside of warranty would become a service item, however i know that if someone's had one a couple of months out of warranty we've just managed to get them credited anyway.

:)

Jands has "authorised" service centres across australia, but there is only one jands service centre which is in sydney.

Do you work for audio products group?

[wilbarrett]

Another quick update,

I emailed Jands on saturday night and got an email back this afternoon (monday) - so quick!
And Jane who helped me out definitely knows her stuff.
Jands has a full supply of spare parts for the Stanton products and she seemed to have a good idea of what would need replacing/servicing.

I will be heading into JLS sometime this week to get a diagnosis.

FWIW, i'm mostly posting my experience with these issues incase anyone else has similar issues or is feeling uneasy about purchasing said CDJ's or if they're not sure they can even be fixed.

My housemate just used the decks at a house party on saturday, and no issues whatsoever with the disc-reading problem, so it goes to show just how intermittent the issue is.
Jane @ Jands suggested it could be the control IC or just a firmware issue, but I will have to wait to find out.

[abden]

mate i have got two stanton c.324s and one of them is just one month old so its fine but the other one is more than 10 months old and i just started having some problems with the play and cue buttons like u .....i just want to get a cheap fix for it so if u could tell me wat amount of cash i am approx looking at....
help appreciated
thanxx
abby

[Lloyd C]

mate i have got two stanton c.324s and one of them is just one month old so its fine but the other one is more than 10 months old and i just started having some problems with the play and cue buttons like u .....i just want to get a cheap fix for it so if u could tell me wat amount of cash i am approx looking at....
help appreciated
thanxx
abby

should still be under warranty?

[abden]

should still be under warranty?
naah i dont have d receipts for it cos i bought it off ebay......so warranty is outta d picture.....i am just looking to get it fixed before it completely stops working......it was my own fault cos i ws treating dem like d tough pioneer buttons......:-(.....just lookin for a cheap fix if possible....

[stjepan123]

Hey mate,

I repair buttons for CD players, if you want I can help you out. Just PM me and we will discuss it.

Regards
Stefan