Arcam Delta 100

[stuartypoorty]

Here are some images of Arcam's one and only foray into tape, the Delta 100. Scan quality isn't the best, images of this particular cassette being very hard to find.

This was launched circa 1992 (seemed they got into cassette when everyone else was getting out) and UK retail was around the £850 mark.

You can find the specification at www.vintagecassette.com

[Marc Hugo]

Stuart, thats a very fine deck. I have a review somewhere done by Audio magazine where it was compared with recorders in the same price range irrespective of format. Specifically were a studio standard DAT deck and a portable DAT machine. Obviously, I would not be mentioning this if it had not come out smelling of roses. I will try to locate it. It's performance with a good metal and Dolby S impressed the reviewer no end. The mechanism used is a Denon DRM-800A. All the rest is a labour of love from Arcam. Rare and desirable.

MH

[stuartypoorty]

Stuart, thats a very fine deck. I have a review somewhere done by Audio magazine where it was compared with recorders in the same price range irrespective of format. Specifically were a studio standard DAT deck and a portable DAT machine. Obviously, I would not be mentioning this if it had not come out smelling of roses. I will try to locate it. It's performance with a good metal and Dolby S impressed the reviewer no end. The mechanism used is a Denon DRM-800A. All the rest is a labour of love from Arcam. Rare and desirable.

MH

Hello Marc,

Stereophile had a review, perhaps Hi-Fi World did too and I've seen an image of the deck in a two page spread (although at the moment I can't find this on the web) - Audio magazine perhaps. If you can find the review you have and scan that'd be great.

I'm thinking that the Delta 100 wasn't produced in volume, saw one for sale about three years ago, selling for about £500. No doubt purchased by some serious tapehead.

Any thoughts and data would be very welcome.

Stuart

[stuartypoorty]

Perhaps Harryf200 will post further images of this rare deck.

[harryf200]

Perhaps Harryf200 will post further images of this rare deck.

I'll do my best to oblige, Stuart! First, I need to get a working digital camera...

I also have a copy of the User Manual, in which are details of what the performance spec ought to be, and pretty impressive it is, too. For example, Signal to noise ratio, 70 usec: 66dB and that is with Dolby OFF ! *eyepop* (It's meant to be 88dB with Dolby S on. Figures for Dolby B and C are not given.)

[draka1032]

I have two of these wonderful decks. They are a bit tempermental. My tech says that they have "crappy connectors" internally. I have the Service Manual if anyone ever needs a copy.

[stuartypoorty]

I'll do my best to oblige, Stuart! First, I need to get a working digital camera...

I also have a copy of the User Manual, in which are details of what the performance spec ought to be, and pretty impressive it is, too. For example, Signal to noise ratio, 70 usec: 66dB and that is with Dolby OFF ! *eyepop* (It's meant to be 88dB with Dolby S on. Figures for Dolby B and C are not given.)

Graham,

There's a good few of us here who'd like to see that, gotta overcome the Nakamichi/Tandberg hegemony that exists.

[stuartypoorty]

I have two of these wonderful decks. They are a bit tempermental. My tech says that they have "crappy connectors" internally. I have the Service Manual if anyone ever needs a copy.

Apart from those issues mentioned, hopefully minor glitches, what are your impressions of this deck overall ?

Care to post some pics. ?

[harryf200]

I have two of these wonderful decks. They are a bit tempermental. My tech says that they have "crappy connectors" internally. I have the Service Manual if anyone ever needs a copy.

Yes please!!! That would be great!!! http://www.tapeheads.net/images/smilies/banana.gif
*bananadance* (harryf200@yahoo.co.uk)

I think I now have a source for spares in the US - has to be confirmed - and if this proves to be good then all I shall need is the service manual to guide ... well, not me! ... a competent tech to service or repair it as and when necessary.

[Dazen1]

Enjoy!

http://www.tapeheads.net/picture.php?albumid=61&pictureid=395

http://www.tapeheads.net/picture.php?albumid=61&pictureid=396

http://www.tapeheads.net/picture.php?albumid=61&pictureid=397

[stuartypoorty]

Dazen1,

Thanks for the images.

One sold last week here - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Arcam-Delta-100-Cassette-Tape-Deck_W0QQitemZ320375815293QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CE _Cassette_RL?hash=item4a97e2fc7d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A13|66%3A2|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1 |293%3A1|294%3A50

[Dazen1]

Yeah, thanks for that.

They don't come up too often on eBay but I have seen a couple here:

http://www.choice-hifi.com/index.asp?page=34

I would love to own one! *drool*

[faustus]

Dazen1, thanks for the photos. That is a seriously handsome deck IMHO. *drool* What is the deck's weight?

[Dazen1]

Dazen1, thanks for the photos. That is a seriously handsome deck IMHO. *drool* What is the deck's weight?

It certainly is a nice looking machine.

I don't know the weight but a look online brought back a figure of 17lbs.

http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/bb.pl?arcam&zzdelta100&showmodl&zzdelta100&4&zz&zz

I am sure another Tapehead will know the correct answer. *hope*

[faustus]

17 lbs. -- there's some meat on those bones!

Right or wrong, I typically associate heaviness with design/build quality. At the least, it tells me that low cost was not the primary design objective; hopefully, this translates into quality components throughout the device.

[Dazen1]

17 lbs. -- there's some meat on those bones!

Right or wrong, I typically associate heaviness with design/build quality..

Hey Faustus - I agree!

I don't know if you are familiar with Arcam but they are one of the bigger British hifi manufacturers.

Whilst I don't rate their current products, the 'Alpha' and 'Delta' ranges from the early 90's were very good. *check*

[faustus]

I can't speak from an ownership standpoint, but I've read many favorable reviews of Arcam gear, including the Alpha line. This tape deck is the first "Delta" component that I've heard of.

[4tified]

That is a very fine deck indeed. Take care of it!

On a side note, did anyone notice that this deck doesn't sport HX Pro?

Not a bad thing, just odd.

[Mignun67]

Ahhh... The Delta 100! A wonderful deck but sadly released just as Cassette was on the wane as a serious commercial format. It was based on the mechanics of a Denon DRM-800, if I remember rightly. I heard one and it sounded very convincing, although I'm not sure I'd swap my Nak ZX-9 for one...

Also from the UK there was the still-born Naim Cassette Deck. Based on Neal Ferrograph mechanics, this one did without any noise reduction whatsoever, NR being deemed by Naim's Julian Vereker as too much of a compromise for ultimate sound performance. It was a great sounding recipe; Top quality heads and transport, minimal facilities, ultra-short circuit paths combined with Naim's expertise at perfecting amplification circuits. Those lucky enough to have heard this machine still speak in awe of it's sound quality, making even a top Nak sound a bit slow and leaden. Sadly, development took so long that by the time it was ready, CD had pretty much taken over, so Naim's R&D resource was concentrated on perfecting that medium instead with the Naim CDS as the result.

As an aside, Arcam's Delta series was a mixed bag, some great units, others not so great. One of the most interesting, cassette deck aside, was a very high performance Nicam Stereo tuner!!

I like Arcam. They have always made good quality kit at a reasonable price. The sound has always trod a slightly safe line but they have never been afraid to live on the "bleeding edge" of technology and take some risks, and their AV gear in particular is still some of the best around.

[Dazen1]

Also from the UK there was the still-born Naim Cassette Deck. Based on Neal Ferrograph mechanics, this one did without any noise reduction whatsoever, NR being deemed by Naim's Julian Vereker as too much of a compromise for ultimate sound performance. It was a great sounding recipe; Top quality heads and transport, minimal facilities, ultra-short circuit paths combined with Naim's expertise at perfecting amplification circuits. Those lucky enough to have heard this machine still speak in awe of it's sound quality, making even a top Nak sound a bit slow and leaden. Sadly, development took so long that by the time it was ready, CD had pretty much taken over, so Naim's R&D resource was concentrated on perfecting that medium instead with the Naim CDS as the result.

That is interesting. I always knew that Julian Vereker thought highly of the Sony WM-D6C but never knew that he seriously considered adding a deck of his own to Naim's portfolio.

[Mignun67]

Yes, JV even developed a version of the SNAPS PSU especially for providing a proper supply for the WM-D6C.

Personally, while I could appreciate that the WM Pro was rather musically adept, I just couldn't live with it's weaknesses. I even sent mine back to Sony as I was worried mine might be broken, but they said it was all fine and within spec. I sold it, although I still kept it's smaller playback-only brother, the WM DC2, which still gets used now and then.

As for the cassette deck, not many knew of it as there were only ever prototypes within the factory. Sadly I believe they were scrapped some years ago...

[Dazen1]

Yes, JV even developed a version of the SNAPS PSU especially for providing a proper supply for the WM-D6C.

Personally, while I could appreciate that the WM Pro was rather musically adept, I just couldn't live with it's weaknesses. I even sent mine back to Sony as I was worried mine might be broken, but they said it was all fine and within spec. I sold it, although I still kept it's smaller playback-only brother, the WM DC2, which still gets used now and then.

As for the cassette deck, not many knew of it as there were only ever prototypes within the factory. Sadly I believe they were scrapped some years ago...

Good post. Thank you. *Spin*

Apologies to everybody else for going off-topic. *wflag*

[Dazen1]

Review here: http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/December%201992/172/769757/ARCAM+DELTA+100+DOLBY+S+CASSE1TE+DECK#header-logo

I want one!

[alexkt]

I have a Arcam delta 100 for sale. It is in great near perfect condition apart from two small marks and a little scratch on the top surface. It is roughly 18 years old and I brought it for £900 when it came out. I am selling it for only £495. Included in this price is a original remote control handset to control the Arcam and I also have the original instructions for the Arcam itself and original instructions for the remote control handset. Both of which are in perfect condition. I even have the original cable and the original packing it came in when it arrived at my house! If you are intrested and would like to see photos then email me on turner.alex@ymail.com or even call me on 07871286326 I would be glad to help and provide further details.

[Dazen1]

I have a Arcam delta 100 for sale. It is in great near perfect condition apart from two small marks and a little scratch on the top surface. It is roughly 18 years old and I brought it for £900 when it came out. I am selling it for only £495. Included in this price is a original remote control handset to control the Arcam and I also have the original instructions for the Arcam itself and original instructions for the remote control handset. Both of which are in perfect condition. I even have the original cable and the original packing it came in when it arrived at my house! If you are intrested and would like to see photos then email me on turner.alex@ymail.com or even call me on 07871286326 I would be glad to help and provide further details.

Thanks for posting Alex.

I'm sure others would appreciate you posting some photos if you get time.

These don't come up all that often and I remember one on eBay that went for silly money a couple of years back. I would be interested if the price was right but unfortunately, £495 for a near 20 year old unit is too rich for me.

A very desirable deck and I wish you all the best with the sale.

[stuartypoorty]

On UK ebay, this rare British deck.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/arcam-delta-100s-cassette-deck-dolby-S-/300485484764?pt=UK_CE_Cassette_RL&hash=item45f654a0dc

[Dazen1]

If there has been a recent service, then that appears to be a fair price.