2024-11-04: Recalibrating Laser on Sony SCD-CE595 for SACD Playback

Background

I recently purchased a second-hand Sony SCD-CE595 5-disc SACD changer. While it played CDs just fine, it refused to recognize the SACD layer on Hybrid SACD discs. A quick internet search confirmed this was a common problem. Troubleshooting steps were the usual: first try a laser cleaning disc, then try cleaning the laser with a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol. If those steps didn't work, I found mention of a series of steps to enter the player's diagnostic mode and kick off a lens recalibration. I figured I'd give that a shot (what do I have to lose) but all the links to the steps were broken. Eventually I did find a copy of the steps, which I am sharing here. Hopefully this will help someone else. I'm happy to report that these did work for me, and the player is reading SACD discs once again.

Note that I didn't write these steps and can't take credit from them. They came from this forum post but even this was a copy of a copy so it is hard to credit the original author. Whoever it was, we are grateful.

Recalibration Instructions

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.