Audio Research cd8 production date

Nmf, send an e mail to Kalvin Dahl at ARC -- kdahl@ audioresearch.com He should be able to tell the date of manufacturer from the serial number.

Thanks Bifwynne, i have done that...Kalvin is a great guy, he helped me in the past with some dsi200 issues...

The part containing the "2008" may have been produced in 2008 and sat on a shelf until it was used in final assembly some years later.
ARC will be able to tell you.

Alas the production date (confirmed by U.K. official dealer) is October 2009...it seems I will return it and continue the quest of finding a young cd8 occasion...

Nmf_69, IMO, I don't think a 2009 build date automatically means that the unit has seen a better day. The only moving part is the Phillips transport, which is supposed to be pretty hardy. Even if the transport goes, Kalvin recently told me that ARC has a robust supply of replacements.

As far as the electronics are concerned, ARC uses top grade parts. I think it's fair to surmise that 5 years of use is NOT significant.

But why guess?? Call Kal at ARC and have a discussion. I always found ARC to be tops when it comes to customer service. Kal might suggest that you take the CD-8 to a local ARC authorized service center/tech for a check-up.

Having said all that, I have a BIG concern. Your OP mentions that the HiFi shop that sold the CD-8 to you represented that the unit was 1 year old. I find that very curious, especially with a 2009 build date.

On the one hand, if the rep is true, does that permit the inference that the CD-8 sat around unused for the last 4 years?? Seems very unlikely, but if true, a quick start up could damage the unit if the caps dried out. Even if the CD-8 was used in the most recent year, what happened during the other 4 years??

On the other hand, and this is a "big hand," I place a very high premium on honesty and take very unkindly to dishonesty. The shop may have a perfectly plausible explanation, but if not, I would be inclined to take the unit back -- if the shop will refund your money.

Finally, I don't believe you mentioned how much you paid for the CD-8 or whether you are using ARC gear in the rest of your system. My rig is all ARC and IMO there is a wonderful synergy staying "all ARC." If the shop can credibly explain the apparent discrepancy and Kal can give you some comforting advice, you may want to keep the CD-8. I have the CD-8 and I think it's a great CDP. However, if the shop misrepresented age and use, that's a whole different can of worms.

Let us know how you make out.

Good luck.

Bruce