There is a magnet below the hub which is the likely cause. It completely jammed the mechanism on mine. I assumed it was the motor, even ordered a replacement. Turns out the hub isn’t held on by a screw / grub. Just lift it off the spindle motor shaft evenly by gently wedging two wide spudgers or screw driver heads under it on either side. 

My magnet was covered in a thick layer of metal dust and filings. Gave it a good clean with isoprophyl alcohol and glued it back with superglue mixed with a touch of baking soda. 

Only thing to note is when fitting the hub back on the spindle don’t push it all the way back down as slightly uneven CD’s can rub which is most annoying. 

Hi, spot on, exactly same problem. Following advice I pulled off the hub and find that tiny magnet covered with thick magnetic dust particles, possibly the magnet ground by the rotating hub. I hope the laser still working as it tried to spin the CD but because this blockage never reached correct speed. Thank you for this very helpful advice. Login to view image

Delighted I could help. Took me a bit of time to finally just lift the hub and what a relief it want a faulty motor. I was hoping the magnet might be a clever design trick to return the disk to the same position as when loaded but alas no. Maybe there to attract metal dust that would otherwise end up in places it shouldn’t go. Mine has been playing great but I had to lift the spindle a fraction after i discovered rubbing with some cd’s.  Great sounding player, I love mine. 

Enjoy