Thread: how to calibrate sony scd-ce595 or scd-c2000es to re-enable hybrid SACD playback?

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Post by Allen February 23, 2014 (1 of 31)
My Sony SCD-CD595 and SCD-C2000ES can not play the sacd layer from a hybrid sacd anymore. They can still play the RBCD and a single layer SACD, though.

I found this is a common problem for many Sony's SACD players (though my DAV-990 and SCD-C222ES are still working ok) from online search.

So here is my question:

It reads like the player may need a calibration. Has anyone done that? Is there a step by step instruction for calibrate a Sony CE595 and C2000ES?

Please let me know.

I have found a service manual for Sony SCD-CE595. In the suplement, there is indeed a section of "Optical Sensitivity Check" where an oscilloscope is needed. Is this the right place I should focus on?

I have NOT yet been able to found a service manual for Sony SCD-C2000ES. If anyone know a URL, that would be a help too.

Post by alexandru27 February 24, 2014 (2 of 31)

Post by cudBwrong September 26, 2014 (3 of 31)
It seems to be a common problem that the scd-ce595 and similar machines may stop reading the sacd layer. Sometimes cleaning the lens with a microfibre cloth may help. (Requires removing the housing. Unplug the machine first.) Others report that the calibration procedure may fix it. Your mileage may vary. The calibration is easy to do.

Here is the calibration procedure for the 595. A service manual is available on hifiengine.com for registered members. Registration is free.

You want to run the "U-Con" procedure.

I will call the knob on the right front faceplate which can be rotated or pushed in the "enter" control. It is labeled "push enter" underneath. You will be rotating this knob, and also pressing it in during the procedure.

1. Turn the machine off, with no disc inside.

2. Press "enter" and "menu" simultaneously. While holding them down, turn on the power. The display reads "diag mode"

3. Press the open button to open the tray. Insert a hybrid disc and press the button again to close the tray.

4. Rotate the "enter" knob clockwise until "B0" appears in the display. You have to go a pretty far distance to get there, keep turning.

5. Push the "enter" knob. The display will read "FFFF"

6. Rotate the "enter" knob clockwise again until "B1" appears.

7. Press "enter" The display will count down some negative numbers until a 4 character string appears. It's a hexadecimal number.

8. Rotate "enter" clockwise again until "B2" appears. Press "enter".
The same 4 character number will appear again. It should be, numerically, between 04D0 and 08D0. If you are not familiar with hex numbers, don't worry, since there is nothing you can do about it anyway.

9. Press the open button and unload the disc. Press the button again to close the tray. IMPORTANT: turn the power off. You are now out of diagnostic mode and you are calibrated.

Good luck!

Post by Tourboots September 27, 2014 (4 of 31)
cudBwrong said:

It seems to be a common problem that the scd-ce595 and similar machines may stop reading the sacd layer. Sometimes cleaning the lens with a microfibre cloth may help. (Requires removing the housing. Unplug the machine first.) Others report that the calibration procedure may fix it. Your mileage may vary. The calibration is easy to do.

Here is the calibration procedure for the 595. A service manual is available on hifiengine.com for registered members. Registration is free.

I can't thank you enough for posting these very clear and simple instructions which I have followed and applied to my XE597 Sony SACD player. I had kept this from new in a box, for the last 4 years to replace another Sony player, knowing that it might be hard to get such players at a reasonable price in the future. When I first used it the player would not read the hybrid discs nor play to the end of a CD. Following your calibration instructions seems to have solved this problem and it is reading hybrid discs and playing them without any problem. Thanks so much. If only Sony Customer service were as helpful as you have been!

Post by cellocinema April 11, 2015 (5 of 31)
I have the same problem. it can run any cd without problem but whenever i put hybrid sacd, it can recognize only plain cd layer. my scd-ce595 rom version is lower than 1.24. according to manual, you can only run U-con check above rom version 1.24. is there possible way to update rom version? i cleaned optical lens but the problem is still there.

Post by Johnno April 12, 2015 (6 of 31)
I've been having the same trouble playing hybrid discs for some time now via my XE597 (the single disc version of the CE595) and at one time cleaning the laser helped but that's been less effective of late.

I decided to carry out the above well-described tests but found that when I pressed the 'Push Enter' button with B0 displayed and a hybrid disc on the tray, all I saw was a brief flicker of the display but it didn't change. Checking B1 and B2 produced the same result. I then removed the disc, turned the player off, them on again, reinserted the disc and repeated the tests with exactly the same results.

I know that I can play single-layer SACDs through the player because I recently received the four SHM Tangerine Dream SACDs and they all play without a sign of a hiccup.

It therefore looks as if the firmware in my XE597 is lower than version 1.24 and I'd therefore be interested in knowing (a) how to prove that's the case and (b) if it's true, whether it's possible to upgrade it so that the described calibration is possible.

Thanks for any assistance in this matter.

Post by Johnno April 12, 2015 (7 of 31)
I decided to do a search for a driver/firmware update for my XE597 and came across what seemed like a Sony site, After navigating through the various products listed to CD and SACD players, I found the CE595 but was informed there were no driver/firmware files available for the player. Out of curiosity, I did a similar check on other Sony SACD players listed (like the XA5400ES) - and came up with the same result each time.

Not very helpful.

Another search took me to a German website where I was informed that a driver was available for my player. However, when I attempted to download and save it, my antivirus software considered it a high risk and its now been quarantined.

Not sure what to do next. Maybe look elsewhere.

Post by lennyw April 13, 2015 (8 of 31)
Johnno said:

Another search took me to a German website where I was informed that a driver was available for my player. However, when I attempted to download and save it, my antivirus software considered it a high risk and its now been quarantined.

Not sure what to do next. Maybe look elsewhere.

Could you post a link to the German site?

Post by Johnno April 13, 2015 (9 of 31)
I didn't actually keep a record of it so I may have to do another search. On the other hand, my antivirus quarantine may provide the information so I'll look there first. I'll let you know.

Post by Johnno April 13, 2015 (10 of 31)
Try http://lukasdrivers.de

Let me know how you get on - and whether your antivirus program objects in the same way as mine does.

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