New Laser for Turbo CD Unit

ctophil · 09/23/2014, 05:39 PM

Hi everyone,

I know I already posted this in the Laser Swap thread for Turbografx-CD. But it's possible that people don't read that sticky thread anymore. :-) I am just looking for a new KSS-220A or KSS-225A compatible laser for my Turbografx-CD Unit. If anybody has an extra laser, let me know and I will buy it from you. If not, maybe you know a place online that can sell me one.

My laser still works okay, but certain games it can't seem to read really well. I don't think adjusting it will help, since it's like 24 years old (manufactured in February 1990), and the previous owner probably didn't take good care of it like I could. Thanks!

DeshDildo · 09/23/2014, 05:46 PM

Quote from: ctophil on 09/23/2014, 05:39 PMHi everyone,

I know I already posted this in the Laser Swap thread for Turbografx-CD. But it's possible that people don't read that sticky thread anymore. :-) I am just looking for a new KSS-220A or KSS-225A compatible laser for my Turbografx-CD Unit. If anybody has an extra laser, let me know and I will buy it from you. If not, maybe you know a place online that can sell me one.

My laser still works okay, but certain games it can't seem to read really well. I don't think adjusting it will help, since it's like 24 years old (manufactured in February 1990), and the previous owner probably didn't take good care of it like I could. Thanks!

I found a few sources overseas when I was searching for a laser assembly for a stand alone CD rom. I don't remember exact names but I found them through google and they were very overpriced. I could have swore I saw 2 assemblies on eBay for the DUOs within the last few days. Ebay search Turbografx CD, Turboduo and PCE Duo. You should find something that way.

ctophil · 09/23/2014, 07:14 PM

Quote from: Desh on 09/23/2014, 05:46 PMI found a few sources overseas when I was searching for a laser assembly for a stand alone CD rom. I don't remember exact names but I found them through google and they were very overpriced. I could have swore I saw 2 assemblies on eBay for the DUOs within the last few days. Ebay search Turbografx CD, Turboduo and PCE Duo. You should find something that way.

But doesn't the Turbo Duo use a different laser? From looking at the laser swap for Turbo DUO sticky thread, it's not the same one.

DeshDildo · 09/23/2014, 08:33 PM

Quote from: ctophil on 09/23/2014, 07:14 PM
Quote from: Desh on 09/23/2014, 05:46 PMI found a few sources overseas when I was searching for a laser assembly for a stand alone CD rom. I don't remember exact names but I found them through google and they were very overpriced. I could have swore I saw 2 assemblies on eBay for the DUOs within the last few days. Ebay search Turbografx CD, Turboduo and PCE Duo. You should find something that way.
But doesn't the Turbo Duo use a different laser? From looking at the laser swap for Turbo DUO sticky thread, it's not the same one.

POOP! I misread your original post. Forget about anything Duo I said, I am in fact, an idiot. For your CD unit there were a few places out of Europe selling the laser assembly but they were like $90 before shipping. Those assemblies are discontinued. Even the Chinese ones don't appear to be produced anymore. I had to settle on a replacement out of a good used Disc man. Unfortunately that means it is old and used but I found a clean Disc man with the original case, instructions and two spare battery packs for like $23.00. Also, the CD player looked brand new so you know it didn't see heavy usage. I swapped it out and my CD unit has been working like a champ ever since.

ctophil · 09/25/2014, 06:42 PM

Quote from: Desh on 09/23/2014, 08:33 PMPOOP! I misread your original post. Forget about anything Duo I said, I am in fact, an idiot. For your CD unit there were a few places out of Europe selling the laser assembly but they were like $90 before shipping. Those assemblies are discontinued. Even the Chinese ones don't appear to be produced anymore. I had to settle on a replacement out of a good used Disc man. Unfortunately that means it is old and used but I found a clean Disc man with the original case, instructions and two spare battery packs for like $23.00. Also, the CD player looked brand new so you know it didn't see heavy usage. I swapped it out and my CD unit has been working like a champ ever since.

After some research, I figured out that a Sony Discman, Model D-33 has the KSS-220A laser. So that is an option for me to use, since Ebay does have a few folks selling those things in working condition for $20 per CD Player. There's also a guy on Ebay selling the actual KSS-220A laser for $50 a pop. They are new. So, I am weighing my options. This is good information for others here on the forums if anybody needs another laser. Thanks for giving me those hints to help my research.

NecroPhile · 09/25/2014, 06:55 PM

This thread might speed up your research a bit: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=5027

Keith Courage · 09/26/2014, 01:36 AM

Just get the sony discman. I've had good luck with them. If this is your first time opening up a discman in can be difficult removing the lens without accidentally ripping one of the lens cables. So be careful.

ctophil · 09/26/2014, 05:44 PM

Quote from: guest on 09/25/2014, 06:55 PMThis thread might speed up your research a bit: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=5027

Thanks for the link. I will keep a record of the Discman CD Players for future reference.

Quote from: Keith Courage on 09/26/2014, 01:36 AMJust get the sony discman. I've had good luck with them. If this is your first time opening up a discman in can be difficult removing the lens without accidentally ripping one of the lens cables. So be careful.

Sounds good, in fact, I just bought a Sony Discman Model D-11 on Ebay for $25.00 (shipping included). It looks to be in great condition, and the seller said it works great. So, I think that's a good price to just grab the laser from the Discman. I usually take my time when repairing stuff. But I'll definitely be careful. Thanks!

ctophil · 09/30/2014, 04:07 PM

Just an update, I'm proud to announce that my Turbografx-CD is now in perfect working order! Not only does it play Super System CD games great, it loads very fast and working nicely every time. Swapping out the laser from a good condition, Sony Discman D-11 did the trick. But boy, those vintage CD players do have a lot of wires to mess with. It's like a jungle in there. The Lion King would be proud. lol.

It was hard work, but paid off. Thanks again, guys, for your assistance.

pckid · 10/01/2014, 05:20 AM

Hello

You have in US the last stock of lens kss 220 here :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KSS220-Laser-optical-head-replacement-of-KSS162-KSS167-/161279805429?pt=US_Personal_CD_Players&hash=item258d0687f5

BlueBMW · 10/01/2014, 11:08 AM

Yeesh! $50 each???

I bought 80 nos kss-225a which work fine for what came out to $5 each. Guess the glory days of cheap lasers are over...

ctophil · 10/01/2014, 02:29 PM

Quote from: pckid on 10/01/2014, 05:20 AMHello

You have in US the last stock of lens kss 220 here :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KSS220-Laser-optical-head-replacement-of-KSS162-KSS167-/161279805429?pt=US_Personal_CD_Players&hash=item258d0687f5

Yeah, I saw those lasers. It's good to know that you have some in stock. But buying a used Sony Discman is half the price ($25.00) to swap the laser out. The price is not as good as what BlueBMW said ($5.00? Phew!); but I think $25.00 is the best you can do these days for a good laser.