The crankset was manufactured in Nov. 1972, so it's at least a 1973 model. The serial number should be at the bottom of the seat tube, on the non-drive side, I'm guessing it starts with a D or E.

What you're seeing on the CCM versus Dolomiti is heavily era influenced. The refined design features of the Dolomiti are indicative of a decade of development and filtering down. Erratic workmanship was a big problem during the 1970s boom. Skyrocketing demands forced manufacturers to hire many new, inexperienced employees and the older ones were working at accelerated pace. Very few brands were immune to periodic laspes in quality, though the Japanese tended to handle it better than the Europeans and North Americans. I recalll some atrocious Peugeot, Raleigh, Gitane, Chiorda and even the odd Fuji. It was a tome when a savy customer would walk down a row of identical bicycles, examine every one and pick out he best.

I myself have a Mistral from this era. The workmanship is good, but not great, There are certainly no poorly fitting lugs or bad welds. BTW, according their literature, CCM's Reynolds 531 frames during this era were silver soldered. I guess you got a bad one.

Mystery always fosters interest. Given the more modern design and better workmanship, I'm not surprised at your preference for the Dolomiti. I'd be the same. At you have an advantage over many mystery bicycle owners in that you know the brand, year and level.