Audio Aero Prima - not responding

this player itself-when used-is worth around $1K, or so
Alextychkin (Threads | Answers)

Exactly.

Before making an anchor out of the unit you might want to blow a little compressed air into the open draw, laser might just be dirty..

The older Prima's used the Philips Short Loader mechanism.
Due to a lot of issues, Philips promptly discontinued this drive and left a number of manufacturers out in the cold.
It is possible to get laser replacements, but the problem is typically in the servo board mounted under the drive.
I have 2 prima's and a Synthesis player that are scrap due to not being able to get servo boards.
Contact Globe Audio for the latest updates as to repairing these units.

If it ended up costing $800, I'd dump this POS in the river, out of principle...

Actually, I would take it to the local shooting range and put some holes in it and then mail it back to to Audio Aero. $800 for that repair is absurd.

that $800 was a comment from Greg at GLobe without seeing the unit or knowing which model it is
its a MkII serial o4.09 594 so probably made in 04
just looked in the owner's manual Phillips VAM120(also listed in specs as Phillips CDM12)

I bought it in 2006 on audiogon and was fully functioning and sounding great till a month ago when it gave me 4 dashes on loading up a disc

yes, I'm well aware they can be bought for $800-1100 on audiogon

when I turn the unit on now I get six flashing dashes
it won't even open up to inspect (air dust) or load a disc

my analog rig is galibier gavia/zyx universe/triplanar
so I haven't made a larger plunge in the digital end

I have one pm for a guy in texas who may be able to do this much cheaper
is it worth putting another phillips drive in?

dts has 2 dead primas ouch

perhaps it's time for another player
any suggestions for $1000-$1500 cd player
Richard Gray - my local tech said stay away from used a-gon players as most are having first issues with the transports