I have a Nakamichi 45z single CD player (click the sig link for pics). It's a couple years old now. It doesn't skip when I hit bumps or anything, it just starts skipping more and more after an hour of driving. What is the problem? What should I do?

I just emailed Nakamichi (in Japan) about the warranty info.

 

thats wut almost all nakamichi's have... problems with the cd player/laser. good luck trying to get it fixed from nakamichi. nakamichi(japan) sold the company and is now known as nakamichi USA. try emailing them about the problem, i have heard that they do repairs, but since they have so many to do, it will take a while to get back.

 

oh man..the last thing u want to happen on a nak...

older naks are known to skip after awhile. Don't bother with repairing the deck. Nakamichi has HORRIBLE customer service. My friend sent in his CD-40z and after 6 months, i guess you can say it's gone

And this is in the USA, don't get me started on oversea services!

 

hey bro how much diddyou pay for the nakamichi deck? i only thought they made home stereo systems!

 

I forget how much I paid. I'll find out when I go home.

I liked the deck because it put out a quality sound and looked stock. I did not know about this reputation though. Shiiiit.

Are there items out there that can clean the lens?

 

I doubt it's the lens. If it were to be the lens, then your skipping should start right at the beginning of playtime.

This is not a rare case at all. Many Nak decks have these problems. The newer ones are taken care of, if not has less problems.

 

$375 Nakamichi 45z HU (includes dash kit and wiring harness)

I remember it being a pretty good deal at the time. Bought it from "Sparq" who used to be a stereo guru on PureHonda.com.

Anyway, Nakamichi just forwarded my email to someone in NakaUSA and he'll get back to me.

 

Do any of you guys have evidence (links) about older Nakamichi HU's having problems? The NakUSA guy said he never heard of this reputation.

 

Many of the people complained online in a forum, a few years back, but i doubt you'll be able to get it.

By the way, should have asked them where my friend's CD-40z is at.

 

go to an authorized dealer for nak and they'll tell u. but make it seem like u already know that the problem is present in the cd players. if ur not too sure about the problem, theyll lie to u to make nak seem better than it really is. how many companies do u know of that would ruin their own reputation?

 

True.

Here is what I wrote when he told me the warranty was one year after purchase:

"Erik,

Thank you for your prompt response.

If you look up "Nakamichi" on online car stereo messageboards there
is no shortage of people like myself having similar skipping problems
after the warranty period is up. One guy said to not even bother
sending it in for repair because he has not received his back from
you guys in over 6 months. One might assume that these are not
isolated incidents but are a result of the head units' poor build
quality.

I didn't spend $350 on a CD player to have it start skipping brand
new CDs two years later. My ten year old $120 Sony boombox doesn't
even do that. This is weak sauce and for lack of anyone else to
blame, your fault.

That being said, how do you plan to rectify this problem? I apologize
for the tone of this email - I'm sure you're used to it.

Adam Rightor"

Here is his response:

"Hello Adam,

It seems that you are displeased with my response. What we are seeing
here is a situation where the unit is beyond the original warranty that
is provided. There is no good solution here. The warranty we provide to
you we provide to everyone.

As far as the message boards being filled with complaints, I am
completely unaware of them. Please provide me with a link.

Thank you,

Erik Snyder"

Wouldn't a solution be to tell me where I can get my CD player fixed even if they're not going to do it for free?

 

Customer service isn't top-notch, but hey, they replied. lol!

I agree, they should at least tell you where to go to fix it, or at least offer to fix it for X-price.

 

please keep us updated on how it goes with the deck!! damm 375 spendy *** deck!

 

^

 

I did some more investigation. I don't give up money that easy, can ya tell?

I called three of the authorized repair centers they have listed on NakUSA. They all said they didn't repair mobile decks, just home equipment. SO, I called NakUSA. Here is what I got out of my conversation with friendly-but-foreign-I-don't-speak-english-very-well lady.

Approx $10 to ship it out to HQ in CA.
They send me an estimate.
I say "go for it" and bite the bullet or say "send it back" and it costs me $35.
Approx $10 to ship it back to me in OH.

Bite the bullet = $90 flat fee plus parts (if neccessary).

SOOOOO...it's either...

$55 + time without a CD player = nothing
OR...
$90 + Parts + $20 shipping + time without a CD player = fixed 45z

Needless to say, if I do this I am running the risk of waiting a long time for a CD player that may/may not be fixed OR paying $55 for nothing. Lose-*******-lose; boo-*******-hoo.

I know little about CD players on the market today. How about some suggestions of high SQ decks under $350 that keep it simple/stock looking?

 

stock and simple, probably go with a Rockford Fosgate RFX8240/8250. Plain as you can get them to be. Made by denon. Retails for $1000, you can find them easily for under $350 right now. .

search around other forums and you can probably one for about $200. I know one guy was selling it for $175 shipped.

ATF Kuk on here has one too.