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help finding/choosing decent era correct CD player

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y2k600f4

Member
help finding/choosing decent era correct 1st generation CD player

I have slowly built (2) vintage mid 70s/earlly 80s systems...one is almost complete (receiver, speakers, TT, tape deck, EQ) but missing a CD player the other in progress (receiver, speakers, TT).

I would really like to get a 1st gen preferably a verticle loader, preferably silver face but willing to settle for black face.

Anybody have any suggestions on what is my best bet of finding as far as availability, value (don't want to spend too much), dependability and sound quality? Been looking at players such as Phase Linear 9500, Mitsubishi DP-101, Pioneer P-D1, Sanyo DAD 8, Fisher AD-800, Kyocera DP-01 etc etc but having a hard time finding any for sale local or online (various sources including flea bay). Seems like a couple of the above are collectors and sell for $$$ if they come available. Any opinions or pointers would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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If you are interested I saw a couple of Phase Linear 9500's today advertised in flea bay. I bought one in 1985, (my first CD player), and I still have it although it skips. Sound was, to my ears, very good and it's a well built unit, (Kyocera built it with input from Phase Linear). It is unusual, rare, and legend has it that it may have been the first CD player sold in the US, (1983), although I would like to confirm that. In any event, it is a first generation device and quite nice. Oh, it's also silver.
 
Best early CD players were Philips based. I own a Magnavox FD 1010 SL top loader which still works superbly. Has the pro grade Philips swingarm CDM-0 or 1 die cast mechanism. Early top load Marantz or Meridian players superb to boot as are early ReVox or Studer players.
 
I picked up a Phase Linear 9500 for free, but it does not work. It powers up, but the display is not right, and it won't eject. From what I understand, it is the rarest of the rare Phase Linear components.
 
Thanks for the tips. Really would like a 1st gen but seems like they are rare and if found on flea bay such as the phase linear they are $$. Anybody have any good sources of online sellers with decent selection/prices/reputatiion ? Thanks.
 
Pretty much given up on a 1st gen (almost imposible to find and expensive).

Any suggestions on a 2nd gen maybe with a chrome face that is reasonabe to find ? Thanks.
 
I recently found a Denon DCD-1500 that is in beautiful condition (dated 04/86). Mine is black, but there was a silver model made, too. I highly recommend this unit and it is well regarded here.

Photos are not of my unit.

Denon_DCD-1500_CD_Player_front.jpg


Denon%20DCD-1500.jpg


platka.jpg
 
You can see Digital right on the front. It's probably digital ready just like those high dollar speakers that say that too. Must be nice!
 
While it might not be "era correct" being from 1991, I would recommend this JVC that is my primary CD player. I don't think it would look out of place in a vintage system either (it doesn't look that out of place in mine). Has a nice dark grey metal (gunmetal?) face and weighs in at a solid 17 pounds. Very nice sounding player with dual analog outs (variable/fixed) and dual digital outs (coaxial/toslink). XL-Z1050. JVC's top of the line in 91.

_MG_8796xxx.jpg
 
Get a Cambridge..Sound better and a hell of a lot more reliable.
 
It would really help us if you would list the other system components.....

I would avoid the stand up transport models. I had a Hitachi DA-1000 or it's NEC sibling or something like that. The bearings fell out of the carrier casting and had to be epoxied back in. Once fixed it was easily the worst sounding CD player I've ever heard and I'm not "that guy".

I would also recommend that 90s JVC stuff. It punches way up for mid line stuff, and can be bought for pennies.

A Sony CDP-101, a Yamaha C2, Technics SLP-7 or 8 are from the earliest generations.

Back in that era, Technics and then Pioneer tracked exceptionally well. Yamahas need a pristine disc and tended to fail.

Remember the best sounding CDP is the one that isn't skipping!

I could also recommend a Sony Playstation ....
 
DCinDC said:
It would really help us if you would list the other system components.....

I would avoid the stand up transport models. I had a Hitachi DA-1000 or it's NEC sibling or something like that. The bearings fell out of the carrier casting and had to be epoxied back in. Once fixed it was easily the worst sounding CD player I've ever heard and I'm not "that guy".

I would also recommend that 90s JVC stuff. It punches way up for mid line stuff, and can be bought for pennies.

A Sony CDP-101, a Yamaha C2, Technics SLP-7 or 8 are from the earliest generations.

Back in that era, Technics and then Pioneer tracked exceptionally well. Yamahas need a pristine disc and tended to fail.

Remember the best sounding CDP is the one that isn't skipping!

I could also recommend a Sony Playstation ....
Click to expand...

This is my current system (in progress):

Receiver: Kenwood KR-6200 (73-76) (system built around...my Dad bought new)
Turntable : Technics SL-Q350 (83-84)
Tape Deck: Kenwood KX-1060 (80-83) ; might downgrade
Speakers: Dynaco A25 (69-92)
Component Cabinet: Fisher RA-542 (1981)
BSR EX-100 10 Band EQ (early 80s ?? )

Just picked this up today (temporary ?) JVC CDP XL-V211 (1989); read some good stuff on this forum...paid $19 and testing now as I type with various CDRs so far so good !
 
DCinDC said:
It would really help us if you would list the other system components.....

I would avoid the stand up transport models. I had a Hitachi DA-1000 or it's NEC sibling or something like that. The bearings fell out of the carrier casting and had to be epoxied back in. Once fixed it was easily the worst sounding CD player I've ever heard and I'm not "that guy".

I would also recommend that 90s JVC stuff. It punches way up for mid line stuff, and can be bought for pennies.

A Sony CDP-101, a Yamaha C2, Technics SLP-7 or 8 are from the earliest generations.

Back in that era, Technics and then Pioneer tracked exceptionally well. Yamahas need a pristine disc and tended to fail.

Remember the best sounding CDP is the one that isn't skipping!

I could also recommend a Sony Playstation ....
Click to expand...

The Philips swing-arm drives, which were used in all the Philips brands (Magnavox, Philco, Sylvania and Philips) and other higher-end brands including McIntosh, tracked at least as well as the Technics and Pioneer drives. The Yamaha drives, which were also used in the earliest Nakamichi players, were indeed more finicky than most about disc quality and cleanliness.

IMO, the first- and second-generation Philips-built players tracked and sounded better than the comparable Sony models. The use of oversampling in these players rather than brick-wall analog filters had a lot to do with their superior sound quality.
 
Silver might be hard to find. Magnavox CDB650 is highly sought after. There is also a Sony CDP-30 on the Bay right now for cheap (1985). If you want to shell out close to $400 there is a Sony CDP-200 from 1984 on the Bay.
 
Well it looks lile I have the opportunity to pick up a Sony CDP-102 to replace the JVC CDP XL-V211 that I have been using (been happy with it). Any opinions ? Not sure what I should pay this early 2nd gen CD player.
 
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I have a Pioneer PD-5010 from the mid-80s. It got nice reviews at the time and is silver. It's unfussy about what you feed it and sounds OK (I'm more into vinyl). Worth thinking about, but be advised it also came in black, so know which you're buying.
 
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