The almost complete Philips CDM range of CD Mechanisms
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When CD was introduced around 1982, Philips’ CDM transports were made extremely well, to the point of being almost over-engineered
Not only Philips and Maranz used these transports: various other players were outfitted with these massive cast-iron swing-arm Rodenstock glass-lense mechanisms. Today, many of these products are still around, spinning CD’s as happily as before. They still produce excellent sound and as it turns out these transports are virtually indestructible. There’s also an extensive review, a direct comparison between many Philips and Marantz cd players.
Whenever possible I use my own photos, but for this page, I have been reliant on various sources such as the very friendly Stefan Runge, various forums, the Enco website and dutchaudioclassics.nl.
The information about the mechanisms is divided over 3 pages.
Page 1
Featuring the following versions on this page:
CDM-0
CDM-1
CDM-2
CDM-3
Page 2
Featuring the following versions on this page:
CDM-4/11
CDM-4/16
CDM-4/18
CDM-4/19
CDM-4/25
CDM-4/26 (aka CDM-1 MkII)
CDM-4/31
CDM-4/36
CDM-4/53 (aka CDM-4 IND)
CDM-4/
CDM-4/
CDM-4/
CDM-1 mkII (aka CDM-4/26)
CDM-9
CDM-9 Pro
Page 3
Featuring the following versions on this page:
CDM-12 IND
CD Pro (aka CD Pro 1)
CD Pro 2
CD Pro 2M
CD Pro 2LF
Extra info on this page:
How to identify CDM12, CD Pro and CD Pro 2
Product Compatibility
Common Issues
Maintenance / Calibration
Enco
Read Also
Classic Philips and Marantz CD players compared
Inside Pics of classic Philips and Marantz CD players
Marantz CD player DAC, chipset and Transport List
Philips CD player, DAC, Filter, Decoder, DOBM and Transport List
Philips timeline
Marantz timeline
CD Mechanism Masterpieces
Goodday to you !
Can you please tell me how to get the motor for the CDM9 pro transport?
Many many regards and thanks, Michael Jansen.
I wish I could help but these transports and their parts are long obsolete. Your best guess would be to obtain a second-hand player that also used this transport. Alas for the CDM9 those are rare too, but you never know. An old Philips player will cost next to nothing and even if the laser is gone or gone off spec, the rest of its transport might still be fine. While there may be precious few Philips or Marantz players using this transport, some other maybe even unexpected brands might have used it at some point. You could try searching for the CDM-9 using the Vasiltech CD-Player-DAC-Transport overview. If I search for CDM-9 I have to click away some popups but ultimately get to a full page of CDM-9 players.
Hi
I was reading your web page about a CDM unit version.
I have a Wurlitzer OMT1015CD, it has a CDM4 Industrial and is not reading CD. She spins the disk and is trying to focus; retry three times and put the disk back to the carrousel.
I perform a carefully lens cleaning disassembling the optical unit and still doing the same.
She was working days ago but failing to reproduce until die.
I know CDM4 industrial is not more in production.
Can you suggest where can I fix it?
Maybe can I replace the laser diode for another with similar electric specs?
I will really appreciate your comments.
If you need pictures or videos to see this problem, please let me know.
Regards
Claudio Bio
Lima Peru
Hi Claudio, as far as I know, apart from the metal insert, CDM4 IND is identical to a regular CDM4 that you can find in many CD players (see the Vasiltech list). I’d advise to just pick one up at virtually no cost and swap the entire transport rather than mess with laser diodes which most of the time are not faulty themselves.
Additional to my previous post, about my Wurlitzer OMT1015CD and CDM4 Industrial how to fix….
Maybe is another option? Something as replace the entire player system = CDM4 Industrial and CD Control Unit. CD Control Unit includes: CDM4 controller board and (Wurlitzer to CDM4 controller communication Interface)
Thanks
Claudio Bio
Lima Peru
Although the CDM-4 is no longer in production, there is a new brand called Jay’s Audio that uses these transports, refurbished, I presume. Perhaps they can supply a replacement or help you in some way. I’m not sure where you are located but the Dutch Importer is Boelszaudio.
I have a cdm4/53 that is not reading,, do have a contact that does repairs on these, or where I can find one at.
There’s a good Tech in the Netherlands but I’m not sure if that helps you… CDM4’s are extremely durable and if there’s anything that degrades, it’s the capacitors in it. That’s only fair, I guess, after almost 40 years… you could try replacing some yourself or go on the forums to see the common problems. On the other hand, not sure if it’s worth repairing or better to find a simple donor device that has a working mech and do a swapperoo.
i m looking for phillips cd player power board
Without a model or further description getting help is going to be hard.
Hi mate. Thanks for your website. What’s the best of Philip CD transport ?
Do you know where I can get a complete kit for its transport & controller? I’m interested to its I2S direct output (not like the SPDIF). Thanks
“The Best” in sonic terms is relative, but I can tell you which ones are the longest-lasting: the CDM1 and CDM4. Both are long gone and only available second-hand. The CDM12 had cheap construction and has been hit and miss in terms of reliability. The CD-Pro and CD-Pro 2 have proven to be very reliable but not nearly as long-lasting as the old swing arm mechs, and in any event, these are also no longer available new. Your best bet for a NOS unit would still be the CDPro2, and if I’m not mistaken, it has I2S.
However, do note that a part of the Philips crew went on to work with StreamUnlimited which has recently issued the new CD-Pro8 which is regarded as the successor to the CDPro2. I’ve not yet heard the new mechanism (hope to soon and will then also report on this) but it promises to have great build quality.
I have an old MC70 machine,the cd drawer will not open,had a look inside and one of the drive belts has come off the pulley,but access is difficult,how do I get to it?
Hi, please, do you know what optic laser is compatible with Philips CD Mechanism 3610/00?
Alas, I do not know.
I have a mcintosh mcd 7007 player which I understand uses the CDM-1 and I am wondering which other players use this mechanism so I can get a replacement?
The CDM 1 was used in a massive number of CD players so I don’t expect you’ll have an issue sourcing one. That said, with the CDM1 and CDM4, it is usually not the lense or the mechanism itself that dies, but capacitors in its servo circuit, or perhaps capacitors upstream. Anyway, I have complete lists of all Marantz and Philips players with the DAC and Transport mechanisms they use. Look here:
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/classics/digital-classics/marantz-cd-player-dac-chipset-and-transport-list/
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/classics/digital-classics/philips-cd-player-dac-chipset-and-transport-list/
Hi Christian – thanks for the timely response, I’ll have a good look later on.
IanH