CD players FAQ
All Arcam CD Players are able to play the CD Layer of hybrid SACD discs. This is normally stated on the SACD case itself. Only the FMJ CD37 is able to play the SACD high resolution layer. Some Arcam DVD players such as the DiVA DV135 & DV137, FMJ DV139 and Solo Movie 5.1 and 2.1 units can also play the high resolution layer of SACD discs.
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Arcam are unable to guarantee all CD-R discs will play as the specification of different disc brands (especially cheap blanks) vary widely. Different copying processes also give rise to issues. However, in practice most Arcam’s CD payers will play CD-R discs.
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All Arcam’s CD players are able to play a CD encoded with HDCD, however not all are able to utilise the encoded HDCD filtering. If in doubt check your CD player manual for compatibility information.
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Some newer Diva and FMJ CD Players are able to read the text on CD TEXT discs, displaying and scrolling the Album and Track titles across its display. Your product manual will contain information on CD Text dis play if it is compatible.
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Only the very first Arcam CD Player, the Delta 70, was equipped with a volume control. No other Arcam CD players feature a volume control since these degrade the sound quality unnecessarily.
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Arcam CD players do not feature a headphones output.
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Arcam has made it possible for the mains supply voltage to be changed between 230v and 115v on many of its products. In some cases this is performed by a simple rear panel switch which can be changed by the customer. Other units can be converted by either an internal fuse change or in some older products a complete transformer change. Please consult your dealer for fuse or transformer changes or if any doubt about changing the supply voltage to your unit.
It should also be noted that Japan has its own mains voltage supply of 100v. In many cases Arcam products can be modified to work at 100v or be converted from 100v operation to 115v or 230v. In these cases your unit must be modified by your dealer.
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The display has been designed so that it can be either turned off or dimmed from the remote control handset. When the display is off the display will turn back on for a few seconds if a remote command is received. This is useful if you are skipping forward or back through tracks. Refer to your product manual for more information.
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No. Arcam remote controls provide the ability to control the amplifiers volume level whilst using the CD remote control.
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Some Arcam CD players have a standby mode. However, this may require the use of a separated remote control system such as the Philips Pronto or a remote system connected to the rear panel of the unit. Again, refer to your product manual for more information.
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No. Upgrades to Arcam CD player software are not available.
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Arcam are world renowned for their Digital to Analogue sections and in most cases the analogue outputs will provide the best quality sound output. However, Arcam have designed the Digital Outputs on its players to allow connection to other devices, such as a very high performance DACs (Digital Audio Converters) or digital recorders. A suitable 75 ohm cable will be needed for connection.
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Again in normal everyday use it is not a requirement to connect up to both sets of outputs, an additional set is provided for use with either an additional amplifier or a recording device.
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Whilst it may be possible for the disc to initially be read by the CD player, it is not possible for it to output any audio. This is due to the fact that an Arcam CD player does not have an MPEG Decoder built in; this also includes the digital outputs as well.
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In normal everyday use there is often no need to make a connection to the IR or 12v trigger sockets. Arcam have fitted these to enable connection for remote control in Custom Installed systems.
The trigger output can be utilised to switch a connected power amplifier in or out of standby. In this case a 3.5mm mono jack to jack cable, connected between the integrated or pre-amplifiers 12v trigger output and the power amplifiers 12v trigger input is needed for this functionality.
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Certain older Arcam CD player models do have the possibility of upgrading for even higher performance. Please consult your Arcam dealer to find out if your model is upgradable.
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Unfortunately, Arcam no longer support the Alpha Series with any upgrades. However, your local Arcam dealer will be able to help you with a demonstration of the very latest CD players available.
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Like all high quality hi-fi components, Arcam products will sound better once they have fully warmed up (about 30mins to an hour after being switched on). However, we do not advise leaving the units fully powered up if they are to be left unattended for long periods of time, such as going away on holiday.
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High quality interconnects and speaker cables are extremely important in enabling the best performance to be realised from any type of hi-fi equipment. The very best system performance will generally come from the very best cables.
For example, some interconnects are priced at £500 or more per pair and will enable a CD player to be heard at its very best. However, this is often an inappropriate amount of money to spend on a more modest system!
Arcam units are generally not supplied with cables. This is to provide the customer with a free choice or cables so that they may be chosen to suit their system as a whole, taking into account performance requirements room layout and, of course, budget.
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