Arcam 170.3

rainforth · 15th August 2004, 05:16 PM

Greetings from me (John) as a new member. I look forward to some interesting debates. My first query is to do with Arcam 170.3 transport. I have a venerable old example (still working perfectly) and expensively (and wonderfully) modded by Trichord Research - digital output board. I also recently bought an Arcam Delta 70.2 for £20 which also works perfectly. Are they essentially the same (except one is just a transport) and would it be worth moth-balling the 70.2 to use for spares (laser particularly) when the 170.3 packs up? My hunch is that I might pack up before it does.......
The 170.3 feeds into a Meridian 566 Dac and then onto Kef Reference 3 speakers in case anyone is interested
Many thanks.

Fin · 8th February 2007, 02:20 AM

I would think that the CD70.2 could be better than the 170.3/Meridian combo.

The 170.3 is essentially the same as the 70.2...but without an audioboard. Having the audioboard (dac and analogue stage) inside the CD player gives the CD70.2 the advantage of not having to use the SPDIF interface.

tubenut · 8th February 2007, 04:56 AM

Hi, Welcome

When I last looked at the service manual I saw that the 70.2 and 170 are very similar, differences seem to be indeed the audio board vs I think a digital output board.
The mechanisms I think are slightly different, I think they are compatible but the 170 uses an older type with perhaps more metal bits and maybe a hall motor?

Just from memory.

Fin · 8th February 2007, 05:04 AM

Indeed - the 170 uses CDM1mk11 and the CD70.2 uses CDM4/11. They are almost the same. The top plate of the CDM1mk11 is metal while that of the CDM4/11 is plastic.

rainforth · 9th February 2007, 06:04 PM

many thanks - useful information. I'm very happy with the 170.3 - built like and tank and made to last. Superb sound

Fin · 9th February 2007, 09:37 PM

Do you still have the CD70.2?

rainforth · 28th December 2007, 07:17 PM

yes - gathering dust but existing as a good supply of spares. I've just wired a spare 170.3 up to an venerable old Sansui au-7500 integrated as a secondary system - amazing sound

rainforth · 16th July 2013, 07:24 AM

Times move on - to sell the venerable (working perfectly) 170.3 or keep as spare? To my ears it sounds no worse than the Meridian G08 I'm using. High praise indeed.

15th August 2004, 05:16 PM	#1
rainforth diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Birmingham, England	Arcam 170.3 Greetings from me (John) as a new member. I look forward to some interesting debates. My first query is to do with Arcam 170.3 transport. I have a venerable old example (still working perfectly) and expensively (and wonderfully) modded by Trichord Research - digital output board. I also recently bought an Arcam Delta 70.2 for £20 which also works perfectly. Are they essentially the same (except one is just a transport) and would it be worth moth-balling the 70.2 to use for spares (laser particularly) when the 170.3 packs up? My hunch is that I might pack up before it does....... The 170.3 feeds into a Meridian 566 Dac and then onto Kef Reference 3 speakers in case anyone is interested Many thanks.

8th February 2007, 02:20 AM	#2
Fin diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: -	I would think that the CD70.2 could be better than the 170.3/Meridian combo. The 170.3 is essentially the same as the 70.2...but without an audioboard. Having the audioboard (dac and analogue stage) inside the CD player gives the CD70.2 the advantage of not having to use the SPDIF interface. __________________ Regards Fin

8th February 2007, 04:56 AM	#3
tubenut diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Africa, Jhb	Hi, Welcome When I last looked at the service manual I saw that the 70.2 and 170 are very similar, differences seem to be indeed the audio board vs I think a digital output board. The mechanisms I think are slightly different, I think they are compatible but the 170 uses an older type with perhaps more metal bits and maybe a hall motor? Just from memory. __________________ Guillaume Croak Audio Exploration

8th February 2007, 05:04 AM	#4
Fin diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: -	Indeed - the 170 uses CDM1mk11 and the CD70.2 uses CDM4/11. They are almost the same. The top plate of the CDM1mk11 is metal while that of the CDM4/11 is plastic. __________________ Regards Fin

9th February 2007, 09:37 PM	#6
Fin diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: -	Do you still have the CD70.2? __________________ Regards Fin


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9th February 2007, 06:04 PM	#5
rainforth diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Birmingham, England	many thanks - useful information. I'm very happy with the 170.3 - built like and tank and made to last. Superb sound

28th December 2007, 07:17 PM	#7
rainforth diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Birmingham, England	yes - gathering dust but existing as a good supply of spares. I've just wired a spare 170.3 up to an venerable old Sansui au-7500 integrated as a secondary system - amazing sound

16th July 2013, 07:24 AM	#8
rainforth diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Birmingham, England	Times move on - to sell the venerable (working perfectly) 170.3 or keep as spare? To my ears it sounds no worse than the Meridian G08 I'm using. High praise indeed.

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