YouTube MiniDisc Repair - Sharp MD-DS8 - Auction Win for 280 yen "No Power" - Let's Troubleshoot and Fix

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If you've read any of my blog posts or seen my videos (or lurked on Discord), you know I love Sharp players. I suppose because I grew up with the MD-MS702... 

I also love their "newer" ones that had the 1-bit Digital Amps that were Auvi/Delta Sigma-branded.

I won this one on Yahoo Japan (via Buyee) for 280 yen!  It was listed as "No Power", but it was complete with dock, remote, AC adapter, and it looked like it was in great shape. 


Watch the video for some troubleshooting, cleaning, and finally, a working Sharp MD-DS8!



The Sharp MD-DS8 is a nice-looking player and was Sharp's (the world's?) first portable MD player with a 1-bit digital amp AKA Sharp's Auvi/Delta Sigma amplifier. To get the maximum benefit you had to use Sharp's included balanced headphones or source your own 3.5mm balanced cable (not common).

Turns out it was a failure near the battery door hinge, but I did take it apart for a full clean and lube. Check out the video if you're interested since this player has a few tricks to take it apart.

For the copper listed in the video, I used:
Copper sheet roll 1000mm x 100mm x 0.1mm - https://amzn.to/3L8K23A

Get the tools you need here:


Chapter markers
00:00 - beginning 
1:02 - testing in the dock and with gumsticks
3:18 - testing with an external battery pack
4:08 - disassembly - bottom case
6:40 - lots of cleaning
8:23 - disassembly - red trim
10:46 - disassembly - motor and laser sled assembly
12:25 - examining the battery door contact
14:10 - lube
15:40 - reassembly starts
17:27 - reassembly - mechanism into bottom case
21:13 - reassembly - red trim 
23:36 - testing with copper tape
23:50 - close up - battery door area
24:41 - testing
26:01 - copper piece testing
27:25 - final copper fix




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