Audio Systems: CD Player, disc insertion, player loads

Question
QUESTION: I have an older Mitsubishi M-C 5200 CD player.  Upon disc insertion the player loads the CD and then displays "NO Disc" in the readout. I have cleaned the lens with a q-tip but it still won't play. This component is part of a rack system with all Mitsbishi components so would kind of like to keep it original. Do you have any ideas for problem solving and do you know of anyplace to get parts and/or a manual?  Thanks for your help.  Bonnie


ANSWER: Any CD player older than 90 days is old. It means that it's out of warrantee. Typical service costs at authorized stations are nearly $100 to open it with no guarantee of fixing it. Unless it's an expensive SACD player you should look for a replacement. You can probably find one for the cost of the initial service. Mitsubishi is good but doubtfully great

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QUESTION: Thanks for your reply, however, I have searched the web for hours looking for the manufacturer info. Apparently Mitsubishi no longer makes home audio equipment or if they do, I can't find any reference to what I'm looking for. They now produce commerical event equipment, and several completely different product lines.  I thought you might be familiar with another reference on equip, vintage 1989, that could be helpful.

Answer
As an authority on digital technology I can tell you first hand that any CD player older than 10 years is a relic. It cannot decode more than half of the current digital media and even if it did will error out frequently. Mitsubishi has focused much it it's technology in the aircraft, air conditioning and motor industry. They've been left way behind by Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, etc. If they were supporting that product you could just as easily ask them the question that you are asking me. I don't think you will get much help from them. If you truly want to get it repaired there are service stations that will repair it for a hefty fee with no guarantee since the device is already more than 10 years past the time that manufacturers carry replacement parts. Imagine trying to fix a 5 year old Dell computer. It will cost you more in parts then it would to buy a new one. Unfortunately we live in an age of planned obsolescence unless you are buying performance studio gear.

My advice is to look into as iPod alternative or an inexpensive CD player.

If you are a hobbyist and understand electronics then by all means look into companies like Newwark of MCM for replacement equivalent parts and experiment. But I can offer you no  advice on that front. I work with studio grade equipment.