Philips CD303 with CDM0 mech

[natty_dredd]

Something for those who appreciate the build quality of the first generation of CD players and the TDA1540..

A early CD303 with CDM0 mech:









You can see from the spindle type that it is the rare CDM0 version - they moved the model over to the CDM1 quite quickly as far as I know.

It's in full working order and in great condition for its age - the odd bit of small scratching on the bottom edge of the player and some bits of discolouration on the main casing but otherwise very good.

As you may or may not know, this is the same internally as the Marantz CD73 but with a digital display!

A beautiful piece of CD machinery and quite sought after by those both into DIY and the TDA1540 sound.

Asking around £220 (one for 'spares and repairs' sold on eBay for £240 recently) and would be happy to ship worldwide too.

[Steerpike_jhb]

I have one of those with a Grundig brand on it (slightly modified circuitry from the Philips) Very, very nice sound. Highly recomendable.
I traded it for a portable TV that was otherwise worth about £15!

If it behaves erratically, it needs new capacitors (electrolytics AND the 1% tubulars), or the disc height adjustment screw needs tweaking.
The optical unit is almost never a problem - they just don't wear out.

[natty_dredd]

What a great swap!

Mine works perfectly still and as you say the optical units just keep on going.

What is the disc height screw by the way? Is this the bolt on the underside of the brass mass on the motor? I have a Meridian MCD that doesn't track properly (drops out at one end of the CD) so have assumed it is a motor speed issue. I've read that one way to solve it is to de-solder the motor and run it both ways off a 9v battery (to clean bushes) but perhaps the disc height screw could need adjustment..

[Steerpike_jhb]

What is the disc height screw by the way? Is this the bolt on the underside of the brass mass on the motor?

It is essentially the thrust plate of the motor's bottom bearing. (On some early versions the motor is a sealed type with no adjustment)
It is best adjusted by watching the focus coil drive signal with an oscilloscope, and adjusting until the focus signal has zero DC content (a good, reference-quality disc ideally in the drive, but otherwise an average setting from a selection of ordinary discs)

[natty_dredd]

Bump!

Still for sale