Update: Initial experience

The drive arrived midweek but I'm not yet sure what to say about my experience. I bought it from http://www.e-best.en.alibaba.com/ from Candy, who was very helpful but the language barrier is significant.

Good points:
  • I've received my drive and it's exactly as described
  • t works fine as a CD drive with full functionality (track numbers and time display correctly) and sounds great
  • I could pay with PayPal
Bad points:
  • The drive was manufactured in 2002 so is "new old stock". A bit dusty and maybe less than reliable as...
  • I can't get DVDs to play at all (no disc)
  • The price kept going up (quoted the wrong price, charged for using PayPal, customs charges)
  • The buying process was rather drawn out
I'm still investigating but a bit depressed. I'm going to try tinkering with the firmware and Meridian Configuration Manager, and swapping with other DVD ROM drives to see if any support DVD, however badly. I will report all my findings in a day or two - and leave you (dear reader) to draw your own conclusions.

I may also try swapping the drive electronics with the original drive, if feeling brave.

It may be that my 596 is more broken than I thought - that the core electronics can no longer play DVDs, nothing to do with the DVD drive.

In truth I'm fairly happy with being able to play CDs again - but DVDs would be nice!

-Ed


SB Touch, 596, 551, Monitor Audio Silver 9is,
SB Touch, Arcam DV79, Arcam AVR350, A500s
Sennheiser HD595 cans