Hi all,
After along search I have finally found something of an audio holy grail, for me at least. A Cambridge Audio CD1. As all CD afficiendos will attest this is something of a notable rarity. Being apparently the first 2 (or 3) box CD player ever made, and the only one ever to use 3 TDA1540's per channel. The sound it produces is dynamic, liquid smooth, analog in nature, with the widest sound-stage I have ever heard from a CD.
My particular example had been packaged carefully and slumbering in a box, in an attic for many years. As a result I have to say it is in almost new condition. I had been using it for a week or two without fault, but have now noticed a grumbling gear noise when the CD drawer is opened and shut (occasionally needing a helping finger to finally close).
Not wanting to cause any damage I have decided to stop using it while I sort out the problem. The drive is a straight lift from the early Phillps players, that is the CDM1. As most will know this is a long lasting unit and mine shows no problems tracking and reading disks.
I have replaced CDM1 mk2's, CDM2 mk10's and other drives in older machines with direct replacements, so I'm not a complete noob in this. As many know though the drawer mechanism on the CDM1 machines are quite complex and before I strip it down, I would welcome some or any advice on what the gear noise issue may be, so that I can be forewarned.
I have attached a short video which hopefully shows the problem.
Thanks and best wishes to all.
After along search I have finally found something of an audio holy grail, for me at least. A Cambridge Audio CD1. As all CD afficiendos will attest this is something of a notable rarity. Being apparently the first 2 (or 3) box CD player ever made, and the only one ever to use 3 TDA1540's per channel. The sound it produces is dynamic, liquid smooth, analog in nature, with the widest sound-stage I have ever heard from a CD.
My particular example had been packaged carefully and slumbering in a box, in an attic for many years. As a result I have to say it is in almost new condition. I had been using it for a week or two without fault, but have now noticed a grumbling gear noise when the CD drawer is opened and shut (occasionally needing a helping finger to finally close).
Not wanting to cause any damage I have decided to stop using it while I sort out the problem. The drive is a straight lift from the early Phillps players, that is the CDM1. As most will know this is a long lasting unit and mine shows no problems tracking and reading disks.
I have replaced CDM1 mk2's, CDM2 mk10's and other drives in older machines with direct replacements, so I'm not a complete noob in this. As many know though the drawer mechanism on the CDM1 machines are quite complex and before I strip it down, I would welcome some or any advice on what the gear noise issue may be, so that I can be forewarned.
I have attached a short video which hopefully shows the problem.
Thanks and best wishes to all.
Hi.
Does anyone know of a good source for the gear? I've only been able to find this one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203497774504
There was once a brass one offered on EBay but no longer.
Does anyone know of a good source for the gear? I've only been able to find this one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203497774504
There was once a brass one offered on EBay but no longer.
I doubt you'll need brass gears. The original plastic one lasted 36 years. How long do you plan to live? Maybe buy two sets.
Tom
Tom
Thanks Tom.
That was the Philips original material and quality. I've been told that those are long gone as spares. The ones now available seem to be moulded for the CDM4 type drawers but possibly 3D printed for the older CDM1 type. There could be others available so I will continue looking for now.
That was the Philips original material and quality. I've been told that those are long gone as spares. The ones now available seem to be moulded for the CDM4 type drawers but possibly 3D printed for the older CDM1 type. There could be others available so I will continue looking for now.
Yes, I know. My thought's are with them at this terrible time.
.
Regarding gears I am progressing it with a UK clockmaker.
.
Regarding gears I am progressing it with a UK clockmaker.
OK, I will. So that people do not get false hopes up, the brass ones on EBay were about £32 each, (the plastic ones on Ebay are £11.50 to £13 or so) I did tell the clockmaker that I would be prepared to pay the same £32 each as an approximate cost. If this was successful and a group buy was raised then that may reduce I suppose. Just a small point, if others think that there are other good options or suppliers, please feel free to post them here so that we can all benefit.
All the best.
All the best.
Progress. My clock making friend seems to think making the gear/pulley is no problem, but he's a bit busy and rather than wait a month I decided to buy a plastic one from China. These are about £13 or so. It arrived in good time. These are my personal thoughts.
1. First, it's molded not printed I think this is a good start.
2. Material, as it feels a bit 'greasy' I would assume Acetal or possibly Nylon. Another good.
3. It would not go onto the mounting pin without a fair push and was then very tight, I removed it and cleaned off some flash and gently and carefully cleaned out the bore by hand with a 2mm drill. Not good.
4. On trying to fit the 'E' clip to the mounting pin, I noticed that it was difficult, when installed, the gear/pully would hardly rotate. It would certainly have given the tiny drive motor a hard time. I rubbed off 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm from the length of the spur gear and reassembled, It now fitted and rotated nicely, with no slack. Not good having to do this.
5. The gear tooth and size on the pinion (small gear) is small and a bit misshapen (thin) allowing in my mind excessive free play and poor meshing, but it is what it is, hopefully it will be OK. Not good.
6.Assembled all other parts. It does now at least rotate in a reasonably free way.
Bingo!
Now to fit the assembly.
1. First, it's molded not printed I think this is a good start.
2. Material, as it feels a bit 'greasy' I would assume Acetal or possibly Nylon. Another good.
3. It would not go onto the mounting pin without a fair push and was then very tight, I removed it and cleaned off some flash and gently and carefully cleaned out the bore by hand with a 2mm drill. Not good.
4. On trying to fit the 'E' clip to the mounting pin, I noticed that it was difficult, when installed, the gear/pully would hardly rotate. It would certainly have given the tiny drive motor a hard time. I rubbed off 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm from the length of the spur gear and reassembled, It now fitted and rotated nicely, with no slack. Not good having to do this.
5. The gear tooth and size on the pinion (small gear) is small and a bit misshapen (thin) allowing in my mind excessive free play and poor meshing, but it is what it is, hopefully it will be OK. Not good.
6.Assembled all other parts. It does now at least rotate in a reasonably free way.
Bingo!
Now to fit the assembly.
OK, so fitted the drawer back into the machine, a bit fiddly to get the side roller aligned, the LHS pressure spring is quite strong but all in all, doable. The drawer does now open and close successfully, as most will know (if they have an early CDM1 equipped machine) it's a leisurely mover, a bit clunky but it works. 🙂 If and when available I'll fit the brass one to another machine. Happy days!