Vintage CD players

Yamahalic · Jul 22, 2009

Len44 said:
VERY impressive!!! :thmbsp: I was able to latch onto the CDX-2020 model a couple of years back, and it too is one superb player. Highly recommend this series. :yes:

I agree of course. The CDX-2000 was a rare beast indeed, a worthy CDP after the incredible CDX-10000 was made. The CDX-2020 was a transitional player with some design points from the earlier units, and some high end digital upgrades (4 DACs). All are quite heavy and exhibit excellent build quality...

CDX-10000 (55lbs)

CDX-2000 (35lbs)

CDX-2020 (35lbs)

Wolverine · Jul 22, 2009

Denon DCD-1800

Here is another pic of my DCD-1800.
A great vintage player that still sounds great!

Pandora · Jul 23, 2009

I have not read all the posts here, but is it not a contradiction: a "vintage" CD-player?
Vintage to me means anything before digital, before CD, DAT, MiniDisc etc. Vintage hi-fi is LP's, cassettes, 1/4 inch analog tape. Vintage equipment is (silver faced) tube or transistor amps, analog tuners, cassette decks, record players and analog tape decks. Vintage speakers are pre CAD designs, made with hands and ears, not computers.

The first time I read about a CDP with tube circuitry in it, I fell off my chair laughing....

deaner33 · Jul 23, 2009

Vintage is a relative term when talking about CD players. I tend to think of players from the 80's as "vintage". YMMV.

Jack Lord · Jul 23, 2009

Pandora said:
I have not read all the posts here, but is it not a contradiction: a "vintage" CD-player?
Vintage to me means anything before digital, before CD, DAT, MiniDisc etc. Vintage hi-fi is LP's, cassettes, 1/4 inch analog tape. Vintage equipment is (silver faced) tube or transistor amps, analog tuners, cassette decks, record players and analog tape decks. Vintage speakers are pre CAD designs, made with hands and ears, not computers.

The first time I read about a CDP with tube circuitry in it, I fell off my chair laughing....

I guess CD Players have been around long enough to have a vintage class.

The first CDPs appeared on the market during the twilight of the silver era (early 1980s). Consequently, there are many which were designed with silver and wood rather than black plastic. Many of us are fond of them as they fit in well with our vintage silver systems.

As they were the cusp of a new technology, they were quite expensive. As a result many are rare. A good example is the fabled Pioneer P-D70. Simply gorgous to behold.

As for vintage MiniDisc, that would be doubtfull.

aenimo · Jul 23, 2009

Pandora said:
I have not read all the posts here, but is it not a contradiction: a "vintage" CD-player?
Vintage to me means anything before digital, before CD, DAT, MiniDisc etc. Vintage hi-fi is LP's, cassettes, 1/4 inch analog tape. Vintage equipment is (silver faced) tube or transistor amps, analog tuners, cassette decks, record players and analog tape decks. Vintage speakers are pre CAD designs, made with hands and ears, not computers.

The first time I read about a CDP with tube circuitry in it, I fell off my chair laughing....

Hi Pandora,

I understand that one can doubt about a CDP being vintage or not.
I asked the question to myself when I stated my CDP collection.
I now own more than 200 working players, and I suggest that we all compare a "full plastic" sony KSS 213 laser unit (mounted on many modern, expensive "Highend" players):

with the Kenwood L-03DP (or Toshiba XR-Z90) Mecha assembly, here (more pictures for this player on my website):

Doesn't it look like "oldie"? I think it's time we considered old CDP's like "vintage" items before they have completely disappeared.

This is my opinion

gener8tr · Jul 23, 2009

The #1 horse in my stable... The mighty Yamaha CD-1 (1983) obtained a couple years ago in mint / like new condition with original box and all paperwork

aenimo · Jul 23, 2009

gener8tr said:
The #1 horse in my stable... The mighty Yamaha CD-1 (1983) obtained a couple years ago in mint / like new condition with original box and all paperwork

Yes it's a wonderful player.

I own 3 Yamaha CD1 (also like new with user's manual), and 2 CD1a, which is a lot harder to find.

Really beautiful players.

Yamaha CD1a:

deaner33 · Jul 23, 2009

gener8tr said:
The #1 horse in my stable... The mighty Yamaha CD-1 (1983) obtained a couple years ago in mint / like new condition with original box and all paperwork

aenimo said:
Yes it's a wonderful player.

I own 3 Yamaha CD1 (also like new with user's manual), and 2 CD1a, which is a lot harder to find.

Really beautiful players.

Yamaha CD1a:

Sweet Jeebus those Yamahas are sexy. :drool:

majick47 · Jul 23, 2009

Vintage CD Players.

The one I'm listening to right now in my second system I bought from Tweeter in Boston around 1990. Listening to Van Morrison/Astril Weeks and it sounds excellent. In the last 10 years I also purchased a Yamaha CDX-2020 and CDX-2000 for backup. I'll agree with the others that the CDX-2020 is the most detailed of the three and the Denon DCD-2530 is a close second. All three have been recently cleaned, serviced with new belts etc and run 100%. I was fortunate to get all the remotes, owners manuals etc. I count my audio blessings that I have three of the top vintage CD players where neither the build quality or sonics were comprimised. With a well recorded CD these three will give a good vinyl rig a run for its money. Off hand the few new highend CD players that could compete in build quality with these are from Accuphase and Sony costing buco bucks.

Wolverine · Jul 23, 2009

Pandora said:
I have not read all the posts here, but is it not a contradiction: a "vintage" CD-player?
Vintage to me means anything before digital, before CD, DAT, MiniDisc etc. Vintage hi-fi is LP's, cassettes, 1/4 inch analog tape. Vintage equipment is (silver faced) tube or transistor amps, analog tuners, cassette decks, record players and analog tape decks. Vintage speakers are pre CAD designs, made with hands and ears, not computers.

The first time I read about a CDP with tube circuitry in it, I fell off my chair laughing....

You might want to stop laughing.
Here is a link to a tube CD player I am sure there are others out there......

http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd100a.shtml

Pandora · Jul 24, 2009

Wolverine said:
You might want to stop laughing.
Here is a link to a tube CD player I am sure there are others out there......

http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd100a.shtml

ANY tube causes 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion, what some call "warmth".
LOTS of CDP's have clock problems with their DAC.

Only one DAC seperates the clocks sufficiently: the Benchmark DAC-1 and its successors.

crackerkorean · Jul 24, 2009

Pandora said:
ANY tube causes 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion, what some call "warmth".
LOTS of CDP's have clock problems with their DAC.

Only one DAC seperates the clocks sufficiently: the Benchmark DAC-1 and its successors.

I am really not sure how your comments are constructive to the subject of this thread.

On a better note....

I need to take some pics of my vintage players.
I have a magnavox (parts doner for my rotel) a marantz and Luxmans First.
Here is the only pic I have of the luxman right now.

blackfly · Jul 24, 2009

ljh6789 said:
I believe that question was posed in Stereophile not long ago. Basically the answer was that the improvements have been so dramatic that there are no good vintage CD players. Competant new gear is much better than any of the older gear.

I suppose some of them could be modified with new opamps etc but the general thought was that it all belongs in a dumpster.

This is funny.

I just had a Denon DCD 3520 (1989) recapped with new opamps. I went this route rather than purchase a NEW Bryston BCD 1. Why?

The 3520 is 45lb of copper plated chassis with a table tray that could handle a hammer. Extruded aluminum is thick and solid. CD spinning apparatus is robust and built to last.

Frankly, I would venture the BCD1 would be in the heap long before the 3520 is. I just had a new laser installed and have a NEW spare. And I also have digital outs so if I so choose I can get a new DAC and use the 3520 as a transport only.

Transports have gotten worse over time but DACs have gotten better. Best of both worlds.

Yamahalic · Jul 24, 2009

majick47 said:
...In the last 10 years I also purchased a Yamaha CDX-2020 and CDX-2000...the CDX-2020 is the most detailed...

You are fortunate indeed :thmbsp: Your two Yamaha units, along with the mighty CDX-10000 are three of the most desirable "vintage" players ever. I imagine that the impressive 4 DAC system in the CDX-2020 may have something to do with your observation of it being the most detailed. The built quality of these Yamahas is incredible, and the CDX-2000/2020 units weight of 35lbs are quite the reminder (very vintage IMO) every time they need to be moved. I cannot imagine moving around the 55lb CDX-10000...but I sure would like to try.

BroonsBane · Jul 24, 2009

Yamahalic said:
I cannot imagine moving around the 55lb CDX-10000...but I sure would like to try.

Amen brother :yes:

Yamahalic · Jul 24, 2009

Yamaha GT-CD Series

Here is the CDP that I own...in my dreams :yes:

Tinman · Jul 25, 2009

I own 2 Studer A727's. Got them from a clean out at CBS when they closed their old studio. Stock photo here, I don't work well with cameras.

The Studers have left me nothing to be desired. Built like a battleship and my favorite Philips components. I actually have a nice collection of vintage CDP's, but these are my favorites. :thmbsp:

BroonsBane · Jul 25, 2009

Tinman said:
I own 2 Studer A727's. Got them from a clean out at CBS when they closed their old studio. Stock photo here, I don't work well with cameras.

The Studers have left me nothing to be desired. Built like a battleship and my favorite Philips components. I actually have a nice collection of vintage CDP's, but these are my favorites. :thmbsp:

Wow, that player is absolutely gorgeous! :drool:

BroonsBane · Jul 25, 2009

Yamahalic said:
Here is the CDP that I own...in my dreams :yes:

This one is worth at least 5 of these: :drool::drool::drool::drool::drool: and one for good measure! :drool:

Vintage CD players

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