Blaupunkt dead, so need a replacement

floyd · 24th September 2008, 11:59

My Blaupunkt MAUI MP36 just stopped working... it no longer plays any CD's. I originally thought of posting this as asking for help to see if I could fix this, but seeing the forums, it looks like Blaupunkt is plagued by this problem (not playing CD's a few months after purchase), so what would be a good replacement for this piece of junk now?

I would like some HU that can
Is NOT a Blaupunkt
Play CD's (and does not conk off within a year of purchase).
MP3 CD's need not be supported.
Ipod/Mp3 players can be attached, either by dock/USB or front AUX in.
Has a graphic equalizer – I like to tinker with my sound. Not just “bass, mid, treble” kind.
Bluetooth support is “nice to have” but not essential.

So any recommendations?
And, anyone willing to buy a second hand Blaupunkt? Good condition, but does not play CD! ;-)

mav2000 · 24th September 2008, 12:12

Hey whats your budget. You can look at the new pioneer series, they have soemthing for all budgets.

Rudra Sen · 24th September 2008, 12:23

From your thread title it looks like you don't want to go for a repair.

If you consider repairing, try TMC Electronics on Jaynagar. They're still the official Blaupunkt dealer and service center. You can call VENU at 9845038268.

DerAlte · 24th September 2008, 12:27

This makes for very amusing reading.

Why would you not get the unit or the drive replaced by Blaupunkt AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY? Or did you buy it second hand and don't know what to do? Blaupunkt Service HQ is in Bangalore, and they SHOULD replace the drive or even the unit if it is in warranty.

Please do read up the reports on the forum (search for "lens replacement" or "not reading CD") - seems to happens to many brands: Pio, Sony etc. So why would you single out Blaupunkt? If you search for "Blaupunkt A.S.S." you will find plenty of appreciation of their After Sales Service from different members.

Comparatively Pio service is non-existent, and Sony less said the better.

floyd · 24th September 2008, 13:28

Sorry, I forgot to mention. The HU is 1 year, 6 months old. So it's well out of the warranty period. From the forums it seemed to me that only Blaupunkt has this problem, but now you say that others have this problem too!
My budget would be around 9K.

valhallen.282 · 24th September 2008, 13:29

Floyd honestly blaupunkt is by far the best in india when in comes to the sound clarity and quality. i myself have a 6 year old blau and it has never once given trouble. take the unit and get it serviced if not replaced. try using a better quality disc to write your tracks. sony cd-r's give a little less space but last and don't start flaking. that would be the upper layer turning to dust under heat. no its not unheard of, just that people don't look into it. get it serviced. thats the best. two manufacturer units nobody likes to throw blaupunkt and alpine. so its about the best. get it serviced.

hydrashok · 24th September 2008, 15:32

@floyd, just get the HU serviced by the Blau Service Center! Most HUs need cleaning of the pickup lens from time to time. The Blau guys will probably do it for free, and you'll need to wait for probably 10 minutes. Blau has excellent after-sales service. In my experience, they have always gone out of their way to help.

I used to own a Blau Casablanca and I got more than 2 years of trouble free service from it. When it started skipping/not playing some CDs after about 2 years of use, I took it to the Blau Showroom. They asked me to wait for 10 minutes. The HU was removed, serviced and put back in full working condition within those 10 minutes. The HU worked as it should all the time I used it, and it sounded pretty good too.

Seriously, you should experience the uh, "joys" (heh heh) of the A.S.S. from the other makes (Kenwood also gives good service, but not as good as Blau IMHO) to really understand what "service issues" mean.

If you are looking to change your HU, do so by all means, but please don't change your HU just because it stopped reading CDs. Get it checked -- 99% it just needs a clean-up of the pickup lens.

Sam Kapasi · 24th September 2008, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

So why would you single out Blaupunkt? If you search for "Blaupunkt A.S.S." you will find plenty of appreciation of their After Sales Service from different members.

Comparatively Pio service is non-existent, and Sony less said the better.

Very true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by valhallen.282

honestly blaupunkt is by far the best in india when in comes to the sound clarity and quality.

Highly debatable statement.

sujitm · 24th September 2008, 20:57

The kenwood 6539U seems to fit your requirements.

Kenwood Corporation | Car Electroics | 1DIN Receivers | KDC-MP6539U

Should cost around 9.5k with B/W.

neel12345 · 24th September 2008, 21:01

My Blaupunkt has the same problem. And I just dont know what to do with it. I had given it for 3 services. The unit works well for 1-2 months after the service and again stops reading discs. What am I to do ?

faithless_1984 · 25th September 2008, 00:57

Now am worried ,just got a Blau HU.!
Hope this is a one off case.

aah78 · 25th September 2008, 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithless_1984

Now am worried ,just got a Blau HU.!
Hope this is a one off case.

Yes, it's a one-off case. Don't worry about it.

Even if you do have a problem in future, Blaupunkt A.S.S. is very good.

floyd · 25th September 2008, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by aah78

Yes, it's a one-off case. Don't worry about it.

Even if you do have a problem in future, Blaupunkt A.S.S. is very good.

Guys, this is definitely NOT a one-off case!
I tried contacting a relative who has a Blaupunkt in his Innova. What do you know... it does not read CD's anymore too!!

There's also other posts in this forum which shows that others with Blaupunkt HU's do have the same problem too.

DerAlte · 25th September 2008, 17:44

I have had Blau HUs for the last 12 years (the latest since 1.5) and I have never had CD reading problems. Even though it could be because I always drive with windows closed and AC on (no dust). I don't think I have experienced the "exception to the rule"

CD problems have 2 parts (ignoring format issues): the quality (and upkeep) of the CDs, and the quality of the read head (laser LED) in the HU (incl. a drive's ability to read successfully under tough conditions). Of course, it is human to blame it always on the HU, even if the CD stock was bad to start with or if we have handled them badly.

neel12345 · 25th September 2008, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithless_1984

Now am worried ,just got a Blau HU.!
Hope this is a one off case.

This might not be a one-off case. I am a Blaupunkt user for 3 years, I know what kind of service Blaupunkt gives. It will work for 6 months to a year then start giving problems while reading discs. Even I drive the car with windows closed and AC 100% on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

I have had Blau HUs for the last 12 years (the latest since 1.5) and I have never had CD reading problems. Even though it could be because I always drive with windows closed and AC on (no dust). I don't think I have experienced the "exception to the rule"

DerAlte, yours might have been a onw of case. BTW, is your player 12 years old ? (!)

24th September 2008, 11:59	#1
floyd BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 182 Thanked: 90 Times	Blaupunkt dead, so need a replacement My Blaupunkt MAUI MP36 just stopped working... it no longer plays any CD's. I originally thought of posting this as asking for help to see if I could fix this, but seeing the forums, it looks like Blaupunkt is plagued by this problem (not playing CD's a few months after purchase), so what would be a good replacement for this piece of junk now? I would like some HU that can Is NOT a Blaupunkt Play CD's (and does not conk off within a year of purchase). MP3 CD's need not be supported. Ipod/Mp3 players can be attached, either by dock/USB or front AUX in. Has a graphic equalizer – I like to tinker with my sound. Not just “bass, mid, treble” kind. Bluetooth support is “nice to have” but not essential. So any recommendations? And, anyone willing to buy a second hand Blaupunkt? Good condition, but does not play CD! ;-)
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 12:12	#2
mav2000 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 623 Thanked: 316 Times View My Garage	Hey whats your budget. You can look at the new pioneer series, they have soemthing for all budgets.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 12:23	#3
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,764 Thanked: 6,885 Times View My Garage	From your thread title it looks like you don't want to go for a repair. If you consider repairing, try TMC Electronics on Jaynagar. They're still the official Blaupunkt dealer and service center. You can call VENU at 9845038268.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 12:27	#4
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,027 Thanked: 2,920 Times	This makes for very amusing reading. Why would you not get the unit or the drive replaced by Blaupunkt AS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY? Or did you buy it second hand and don't know what to do? Blaupunkt Service HQ is in Bangalore, and they SHOULD replace the drive or even the unit if it is in warranty. Please do read up the reports on the forum (search for "lens replacement" or "not reading CD") - seems to happens to many brands: Pio, Sony etc. So why would you single out Blaupunkt? If you search for "Blaupunkt A.S.S." you will find plenty of appreciation of their After Sales Service from different members. Comparatively Pio service is non-existent, and Sony less said the better.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 13:28	#5
floyd BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 182 Thanked: 90 Times	Sorry, I forgot to mention. The HU is 1 year, 6 months old. So it's well out of the warranty period. From the forums it seemed to me that only Blaupunkt has this problem, but now you say that others have this problem too! My budget would be around 9K.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 13:29	#6
valhallen.282 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 331 Thanked: 196 Times	Floyd honestly blaupunkt is by far the best in india when in comes to the sound clarity and quality. i myself have a 6 year old blau and it has never once given trouble. take the unit and get it serviced if not replaced. try using a better quality disc to write your tracks. sony cd-r's give a little less space but last and don't start flaking. that would be the upper layer turning to dust under heat. no its not unheard of, just that people don't look into it. get it serviced. thats the best. two manufacturer units nobody likes to throw blaupunkt and alpine. so its about the best. get it serviced.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 15:32	#7
hydrashok Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In my Office Posts: 2,527 Thanked: 19 Times View My Garage	@floyd, just get the HU serviced by the Blau Service Center! Most HUs need cleaning of the pickup lens from time to time. The Blau guys will probably do it for free, and you'll need to wait for probably 10 minutes. Blau has excellent after-sales service. In my experience, they have always gone out of their way to help. I used to own a Blau Casablanca and I got more than 2 years of trouble free service from it. When it started skipping/not playing some CDs after about 2 years of use, I took it to the Blau Showroom. They asked me to wait for 10 minutes. The HU was removed, serviced and put back in full working condition within those 10 minutes. The HU worked as it should all the time I used it, and it sounded pretty good too. Seriously, you should experience the uh, "joys" (heh heh) of the A.S.S. from the other makes (Kenwood also gives good service, but not as good as Blau IMHO) to really understand what "service issues" mean. If you are looking to change your HU, do so by all means, but please don't change your HU just because it stopped reading CDs. Get it checked -- 99% it just needs a clean-up of the pickup lens.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 20:57	#9
sujitm BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 70 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	The kenwood 6539U seems to fit your requirements. Kenwood Corporation \| Car Electroics \| 1DIN Receivers \| KDC-MP6539U Should cost around 9.5k with B/W.
	() Thanks

24th September 2008, 21:01	#10
neel12345 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Calcutta Posts: 114 Thanked: 0 Times	My Blaupunkt has the same problem. And I just dont know what to do with it. I had given it for 3 services. The unit works well for 1-2 months after the service and again stops reading discs. What am I to do ?
	() Thanks

25th September 2008, 00:57	#11
faithless_1984 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,575 Thanked: 328 Times View My Garage	Now am worried ,just got a Blau HU.! Hope this is a one off case.
	() Thanks

25th September 2008, 17:44	#14
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,027 Thanked: 2,920 Times	I have had Blau HUs for the last 12 years (the latest since 1.5) and I have never had CD reading problems. Even though it could be because I always drive with windows closed and AC on (no dust). I don't think I have experienced the "exception to the rule" CD problems have 2 parts (ignoring format issues): the quality (and upkeep) of the CDs, and the quality of the read head (laser LED) in the HU (incl. a drive's ability to read successfully under tough conditions). Of course, it is human to blame it always on the HU, even if the CD stock was bad to start with or if we have handled them badly.
	() Thanks