The solution?
Ensure adequate ventilation, as the power regulators and drive motors can generate significant heat during long listening sessions. Taking It to the Audiophile Level
For a warm, vintage sound signature, you can route the analog output of your DAC through a DIY vacuum tube buffer stage before it hits the RCA outputs. Conclusion
Insert a test CD. Check if the laser focuses (the lens will move up and down slightly) and if the disc spins up to speed. If it spins backwards or stops immediately, double-check your data ribbon cables and motor power polarity.