Angry Denon DCM-320 owner seeks advice....
Patrick Shannon Moss
I posted here before about this and I'm giving it one last shot....
A couple of years ago I got a Denon DCM-320 as a Christmas gift. It cost
$216 at the time (via mail order). For about a year (at least, maybe
longer...) it has not functioned properly. The drawer will not swing out
consistently. Sometimes it swings out, takes the CDs, and then will not
play them. Sometimes it will quit playing after it finishes one disc and
will not swing out again. This is, to say the least, extremely
frustrating!!! I have not had it repaired for two reasons - 1) cost and
2) sometimes, at totally random times, it will work properly. A few
nights ago it was working, but for the past several days the drawer will
not come out.
I was all prepared to take the unit to my local Denon dealer (Ovation) for
repairs today. I called ahead and found out you have to leave a $20
deposit with them and you have to sign an agreement to let them do repairs
up to $100. I also described the problem to someone in the service
department. He told me they recently had a DCM-320 come in with the same
problem and it cost $160 to fix. Actually, they just sent the unit off to
the Denon factory, where it was brought to factory specs. He guessed that
my problem was the same (i.e. it needed a new laser) and would cost at
least $150.
I've actually taken the top of my CD player before just to see what the
hell is going on. When the drawer swings out, closes, and refuses to come
back out, the platter swill spin when you hit the "open" button. Also, when
the platter stops spinning, the disc does not line up properly. It is
actually quite a bit off from where it should be. Inexplicably, the unit
will from time to time "fix itself" and play all right for several hours.
Can someone PLEASE give me some advice here? I have upwards of 200 CDs
and not having something to play them on is killing me! Should I try to
get the Denon repaired? Should I try to buy a new or used player and say
to hell with the Denon? I really need help!
I did, BTW, see the stats on Denon repairs in CR. It's a little too late
for them to do me any good, but to others considering Denon CD changers -
DON'T GET ONE!
Also, if I'm looking for another changer (a distinct possibility), could
someone please recommend a RELIABLE product or brand?
Thanks for any help I get with this troublesome unit...
Patrick
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James J. Calder (Brooks Hobbs)
Patrick...
it sounds to me like it is time to say farewell to that Denon and invest a
little bit of money in a new one...NOT A NEW DENON THOUGH!
there are many other very good cd changers on the market at very resonable
prices.....
some that come to mind are Sony, technics, Carver, Yamaha Nakamichi..those
are just some of the ones that i can think of...that are of good quality.
I would say that you will be looking at about $300.00 or more depending on
the brand....
I would strongly suggest that you do some shopping as well as listening to
the different models to see whick ones sounds better...
Also a very good sounding cd changesr is made by Onkyo as well....all worth
listening to...
Denon to me seems to be going through some changes lately....Denon of new is
not like the Denon of old....there quality control seems to have
disappeared....
I feel your best bet lies among the onkyo or technics
good luck
jimmy
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see ya
jimmy
remember what goes up necessarily doesn't have to come down
why doesn't the earth rotate in reverse
Bruno Fernandes
Here in Canada the warranty is 2 years I believe. Try calling Denon
directly and complain in an authoratative manner. It doesn't matter if
the unit is out of warranty. Also state the policy of the repair place
you seem dissatisfied with.
A friend's coffee pot just broke and it was over a year out of warranty.
It took one call to the company and after 2 days she now has a brand new
one, almost 1000 filters, scoops and a big box of assorted coffee (about
$80 worth). All this for free. And she didn't do much complaining on the
phone either.
Bruno.
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"Also believe that peanut butter | The ideas expressed may very well be my
and bacon have been neglected as | own - or they may be stolen from others.
food groups, particularly when |
eaten together." - D. Cooper | e0f1...@credit.erin.utoronto.ca
Jeff Joseph
Judging by the price you paid, you bought a gray market denon- check to se
if the serial number is cleary marked or if is's a phony one on top of the
original one. Denon's cd repair history is actually not so bad - except
for the DCm 444 555 & 777 which had spindle mototr problems.
I would blame the unauthrized dealer for this one though, who knows what the
machine went through on the way to you( assuming I'm right)
Jeff
Rick Brusuelas
And if this was a "grey market" product, I would take this as an
important lesson: dealing with mail order companies, especially
those that sell "grey market" products, can sometimes get you
more than just low prices...
Next time, consider buying from a local dealer. You will pay more,
but you will also get better support. And a warranted product.
Rick Brusuelas
Sun Library