Vintage CD players

gener8tr · Mar 31, 2006

I have a 1988 Yamaha CDX-910U and it looks and plays like a champ... Although I purchased it NOS a few months ago, so I guess that's not a fair evaluation just yet.

To me, the looks of the vintage CDP's are so much cooler than anything out there today. Just my opinion, however.

rallycat · May 17, 2006

Here's a couple high-end 'classic' cd players from opposite ends of the size scale: Yamaha CDX-1100U & Denon DCP-100. The Denon was my sole music source for a few years in the early 90's.

Tom

smollett5 · May 17, 2006

I recently bought a circa 1994-5 Marantz CD-63 in mint condition from a seller on Craigslist for $50. No remote, box or manual, but my assorted Arcam remotes operate most of the important features. Sounds fine and plays most discs perfectly.

reggaenaut · May 18, 2006

When it comes to cd players just forget the vintage.

Lust · May 18, 2006

Have a look into a newer CD-player, here a Harman Kardon HD 970.

The transport is of the same type as in a computer and no shielding. Very cheaply built and totally without sex appeal.

whyaskit · May 18, 2006

reggaenaut said:
When it comes to cd players just forget the vintage.

I could never forget my Yamaha. :nono: It is the best sounding CDP I have ever owned! :thmbsp:

slow_jazz · May 30, 2006

forget the vintage cd players. i purchased a samsung hd841 that plays cd's, dvd-audio, sacd audio, and dvd movies. sounds great. less than $100. i think they have a newer model hd941 now.

Clarence · May 30, 2006

reggaenaut said:
When it comes to cd players just forget the vintage.

People who are into "era" matching absolutly desire like components. It's a gamble, but to these "visually" oriented people, the payoff far exceeds the price of admission. I think $100 for a cd player manufactured 15 years ago is ridiculous, but for some, a necessity.

I relate this to my childhood, playing with lincoln log and leggos. If I didnt have the right size and color to complete my creation, I would smash it to oblivion and build something else.

Anybody have a NAD 5100 for sale? :thmbsp:

B3Nut · Jun 2, 2006

I just snapped up a 1985 CDP-302. It plays well, sounds amazing for its age (holds its own with my DCD-1560 and is a colossally better machine than my basic Samsung DVD player, which doesn't like to play DVD's though it sounds OK with redbook) and that old linear motor transport must be the reigning champ for track change speed. I figured it was worth $17.50 for grins, even has the remote.

I used to drool on this generation of CDP, and now I finally get to play with them.

I've seen a lot of reliability complaints with the current DVD players, especially Samsungs (ours has been repaired once, optical block went out, now we use whatever Sam's has for $30 to play movies...use it until it breaks, toss it, buy a new one). I wanted to like the entry-level universal CD/DVD-A/SACD players, but they looked and felt like they were built to break, not to last. No thanks. My trusty '92 Denon DCD-1560 is musically satisfying and actually has some "there" there.

I still lust after the CDP-650ESDII and 707ESD machines...gorgeous players.

TP

Magnat10 · Jun 2, 2006

SherwoodPower said:
:yes: Cant go wrong with the CDP-510 it has a cool reflectic display and it was made in 1987. I gave it away months ago to make room for the TEAC 5-Disk just to get a Harman/Kardon HD-200 made in 1988 :yes:

My Sony CDP-710 was stored and not used for a number of years but when I brought it out this spring it sounds just fine. The difference in sound I find most is the recording of the music, some artists possibly had more $$ backing and better recording equipment. Older Fleetwood Mac and Elton John CD's sound better than a Robert Palmer disc, RP's music was recorded in the 80's while FM and EJ were mid to early 70's.

john_w · Jun 3, 2006

Magnat10 said:
...some artists possibly had more $$ backing and better recording equipment. Older Fleetwood Mac and Elton John CD's sound better than a Robert Palmer disc, RP's music was recorded in the 80's while FM and EJ were mid to early 70's.

I think the targeted market made the difference in that case. Robert Palmer had the cash. It's just that most RP fans didn't care as much. In the late 70's and very early 80's they would have been the ones buying up pre-recorded cassettes instead of virgin vinyl records.

But you're right - the recording quality by itself makes a HUGE difference with CD playback!

lorne · Jul 7, 2006

Hi Lust: The Harmon Kardon is a full player not merely a transport? Everything on the same board but the fuse block? How much did it cost? How does it sound? Adding shielding to this unit looks to be dead easy! And you could stick some rubber grommet-thingy-puffers under the feet of the transformer. For me just that bare, utilitarian look is sexy enough if it is combined with dazzling sound and costs less than a pair of sneakers! THAT would get my lust up.

wank · Jul 8, 2006

I picked up a Technics Sl-p8 in silver. While it has issues, the pitch control is a cool feature. I'm really only attached to it because of the color.

Brad Muller · Jul 8, 2006

I purchased a Sony CDP-C69ES new in 1993. I picked a used C69ES up a few years later and still use them both today. I've never had a problem with either one. As far as I'm concerned, they're bullet proof. They've never had a problem reading any CD, original or burned. These were the players with the DSP modes, reverb, equalizer, variable output, etc. To me, they sound great and have never left me swearing at my CDP. I wonder what that's like, to be pissed at your CDP? We all like what we like when it comes to audio gear. What I like, you may not, and what you like, I just might. It's just fun to shoot the sh-- with you guys. One thing we all agree on though... music makes life just a little bit easier. :yes: Peace, Brad

gsoravil · Sep 17, 2006

I know this thread is long since dead, but I like my Fisher AD-Z1. The one and only CD player in their short lived "Professional Digital Reference" series. Go ahead, roll your eyes.

arrow 68 · Sep 17, 2006

Pioneer, and Denon

Pioneer PD-M95 Eilte player for great build, and exceptional sound for it's age. Worth having upgraded! Some of the older single disc Elite's are really built! Denon DCM 560 For great sound. Goofy mechanism though. Reliable. Would have to spend a lot more to get better sound than the 560.

marty-alex · Sep 17, 2006

I have a mint Marantz CD-74 and I keep it mainly because it just looks cool with my other vintage stuff. Anyway, I also have a modern Marantz CD-player, but I like the old shiny look of vintage CDP and prefer playing that one.

I wouldn't say it sounds better then its younger brother, certainly not, but it IMO performs better than some of the modern 90$ players. It's just as analog as the CD can ever be. :yes:

eThink · Sep 18, 2006

Nakamichi MusicBank series from the early 1990s

I have been very impressed with my Nakamichi CDP-2 MusicBank from the early 1990s.

This AK thread contains a picture of this unit:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=80422

This unit and it's immediate successor had dual Burr-Brown 20-bit DACs. The sound quality is very pleasant and significantly better than many "vintage" and modern CD players. :music:

These MusicBank units used a Nakamichi-designed "stacker" that allowed you to load up to 6 CDs for long-tern playback. McIntosh used this design on their CD changer.

Here is what other AK members had to say about these Nakamichi CD players from the 1990s:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11466&highlight=Nakamichi

MitsuMan · Sep 18, 2006

Since JVC has been a rather hot topic lately, I'm very pleased with the sound and build quality of my JVC XL-M505 changer. Their PEM technology sounds alot better than some later Denon and Sony units that I've heard.

eThink · Sep 18, 2006

Denon DCD-1290

I also have a Denon DCD-1290 from the early 1990s that I can also recommend as a CD Player.

The DCD-1290 used Denon's unique SLC (Super Linear Converter) system for preventing zero cross distortion, the main factor in loss of sound quality in the PCM playback section, plus 20-bit D/A converters. Analog and Digital (optical and coaxial) outputs. Many other features include auto space, time mode, time edit, peak search, fader.

According the Orion Bluebook, this unit had a list price of $500 in the 1992 - 1994 timeframe. Build quality is extremely good.

I was originally attracted to this CDP because it visually matched my "stack" of silver-colored harman/kardon components from the early 1980s.

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