Which TOTL Vintage cd player to get?

Bigerik

Bigerik

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Been doing too much thinking recently. The result of which is the desire to get myself a classic, TOTL cd player. Now, what I am thinking of is something no earlier than about a 1989 or 1990, weighs a ton, built like the proverbial brick s**thouse, and preferably, with glossy wooden sides.
HOWEVER, and this is a big issue for me, it has to be one where parts are still available. At least those parts that can kill an old beast like this, the laser assembly.
I don't expect it to be state of the art as far as sound, but the units from 1989-1990 onward are fairly listenable, and I can always add an external DAC later on.
Any suggestions?
 
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The Denon DCD-1650G satisfies all your criteria (it's from 1991-92). I'm a happy owner of one of those units. Laser pickup (Sony KSS-210A) is readly available for this model. I´ve recently replaced mine. I believe this model (with wooden panels and gold finish) is a japanese version of the more easily available DCD-2560. In particular, both models share the DACs, some of the best I´ve ever heard (same used in some Accuphase models). The DACs are 4 ( 2 per channel) AD1862 (N-Z version) ( e.g., http://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/player/dcd-1650g-e.html , badly translated from japanese). I´m not familiar with those DACs ( http://www.analog.com/en/obsolete/ad1862/products/product.html , http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheets_pdf/A/D/1/8/AD1862N.shtml ), but their performance is awesome!


http://www.kingsound.co.kr/files/market/rm100013063.htm
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=183253&highlight=dcd-1650g

13063_market_1_kingsound


Here there is a picture of DCD-1650GL (the only difference is the balanced outputs)
http://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/player/dcd-1650g-e.html




All the best


PS: I would also look for an Accuphase DP-65


http://www.thevintageknob.org/ACCUPHASE/DP65/DP65.html
 
Price of these vintage TOTL cd players range from $1000 to XXXX.

The top of the line vintage cd players I own are:
Denon DCD-3520 (on sale in Ebay) : http://www.thevintageknob.org/DENON/DCD3520/DCD3520.html
Denon DCD-3560
Onkyo DX-G10: http://www.thevintageknob.org/THEVAULT1/DXG10/DXG10.html
True monster at 60 lbs with cast iron body and optical connections

I would love to try
Yamaha CDX-2000 (on sale in Ebay) or CDX-10000
http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/CDX10000/CDX10000.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/2000SERIES/2000SERIES.html

Kenwood L-D1
 
wsjoe said:
Price of these vintage TOTL cd players range from $1000 to XXXX.

The top of the line vintage cd players I own are:
Denon DCD-3520 (on sale in Ebay) : http://www.thevintageknob.org/DENON/DCD3520/DCD3520.html
Denon DCD-3560
Onkyo DX-G10: http://www.thevintageknob.org/THEVAULT1/DXG10/DXG10.html
True monster at 60 lbs with cast iron body and optical connections

I would love to try
Yamaha CDX-2000 (on sale in Ebay) or CDX-10000
http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/CDX10000/CDX10000.html
http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/2000SERIES/2000SERIES.html

Kenwood L-D1
Click to expand...


Here there is the High Fidelity magazine test report on the Onkyo DX-G10 of March 1988:

http://depositfiles.com/files/sl2utlas1
or
http://www.megaupload.com/es/?d=WJ7ZYQXE


Here there is a scanned High Fidelity magazine test report (from May 1989) on the Denon DCD-3520 CDP:

http://depositfiles.com/files/edygjihjk
or
http://www.megaupload.com/es/?d=56UMOYTK

Unfortunately, these machines were made prior to 1989-90, and not fulfilling the condition posted in the first message of this thread. For that reason I didn´t mention the Denon DCD-3520, but brought up a couple of more updated followers (I believe that the Dacs of those models are better than those on the DCD-3520). Laser availability ( http://www.marantzphilips.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/ ): Denons DCD-3520 and 3560 carry Sony KSS-151A but Onkyo DX-G10 a Sony BU-1E (???) and Yamaha CDX-2000 a MLP-7 (what brand is that? Samsung? http://www.hqelektronik.hu/info/en/pc-up78.html?HQElektronik=d58eac82700e7b3ec9ff3c23106c4b5e )

All the best


PS: the BU-1E seems to be unavailable ( https://www.ued.net/ued/addItems.do...4A91EABDF95B7213D87657C?itemCode=SNYX49150321 ) and used to cost 200+ USD.
 
Guiller,
thanks a million for these.
I am a happy owner of the DX-G10. Onkyo's are probably one of the most underrated audio brands. Have you seen the M-510 amp? Retails for $3000 and weighs about 65kg
 
Bigerik said:
Been doing too much thinking recently. The result of which is the desire to get myself a classic, TOTL cd player. Now, what I am thinking of is something no earlier than about a 1989 or 1990, weighs a ton, built like the proverbial brick s**thouse, and preferably, with glossy wooden sides.
HOWEVER, and this is a big issue for me, it has to be one where parts are still available. At least those parts that can kill an old beast like this, the laser assembly.
I don't expect it to be state of the art as far as sound, but the units from 1989-1990 onward are fairly listenable, and I can always add an external DAC later on.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Pioneer PD 93 may be the best CD ever produced IMO. Laser still obtainable but pretty expensive. Extremely good in stock but LC audio upgrade may prove to be even better. External DAC I would vote for Benchmark DAC1.
http://www.elitestereo.netfirms.com/pd-93.htm
 
If you rather want a player that will live forever but needs an upgrade I would go for any of the old Marantz CDM1 based players like CD94 or CD 95. Performs extremely well as drive or stand alone with new clock and filters.
 
here's a non-standard reply.....

I own the Pioneer "Elite" PD-54, one little notch down from the PD-65. I purchased tghis particular player because I live in a windy climate, there is no escaping the dust. So I figured the "upside down" laser of the stable platter player made (and still does) sense.

I also own a Sony CD-505-ESd, a Sony cd-990, a farly high end Denon (1420?), etc. Look at the lowly Sony "greystation. Live with its quirks, and enjoy the music that comes from these old game consoles. Really.

If you must have a cd player, look at the JVc "10101" and the Technics SLP-8 (or 9. or 10). Build like a hammer....
 
guiller said:
The Denon DCD-1650G satisfies all your criteria (it's from 1991-92). I'm a happy owner of one of those units. Laser pickup (Sony KSS-210A) is readly available for this model. I´ve recently replaced mine. I believe this model (with wooden panels and gold finish) is a japanese version of the more easily available DCD-2560. In particular, both models share the DACs, some of the best I´ve ever heard (same used in some Accuphase models). The DACs are 4 ( 2 per channel) AD1862 (N-Z version) ( e.g., http://audio-database.com/DENON-COLUMBIA/player/dcd-1650g-e.html , badly translated from japanese). I´m not familiar with those DACs ( http://www.analog.com/en/obsolete/ad1862/products/product.html , http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheets_pdf/A/D/1/8/AD1862N.shtml ), but their performance is awesome!

...
Click to expand...

I have had the 2650 GL "Special Limited Edition" from that series, since new (bought in/about 1991 or '2). At the time I bought it, I was told the main difference between the "Special Limited Edition" and the regular edition was the use of hand-picked components measured to within 1 percent tolerance.

This isn't the best CD player I've heard or owned, but it is way up there. Very musical and listenable, but also very revealing. The only Pioneer I've ever heard that I thought equalled it was a top-end, Japan-market-only one. There are more detailed CD players out there, and warmer ones, but very few that combine both detail/clarity and warmth/musicality as well as these Denons. The few that do, are usually very expensive.

This model (2650GL Special Limited Edition) still sells for about the same price that it cost when new, years ago.

Another excellent CD player is the Marantz model that has the drawer that automatically extends out as the lid opens upwards. [Sorry, I've forgotten the model number.] A bit hard to find these days (I've only ever seen one for sale), it is known by people who own it as a "sleeper" or "giant killer" when it comes to sound quality. Some early Dutch-made Phillips CD players are also sought-after, but I think those pre-date the time period you are speaking of.

Teac and Sony also make high-end CD players for the Japanese market that are in demand, but I don't recall the model numbers.

ONCE I saw a superb-looking Marantz CD player (again, Japan-market-only) with lacquered wooden end boards and copper (plated or solid, I'm not sure) bottom and rear panels. Don't recall the model number, and couldn't find a single mention of it online when I looked it up. Unfortunately, I didn't have the asking price of $250 on me when I saw it, or I would have got it, unheard and untested, without hesitation. It was that beautiful and obviously high-end. That would be my first choice, even never having heard it, if only I could find another one!
 
Arkay said:
I have had the 2650 GL "Special Limited Edition" from that series, since new (bought in/about 1991 or '2). At the time I bought it, I was told the main difference between the "Special Limited Edition" and the regular edition was the use of hand-picked components measured to within 1 percent tolerance.

This isn't the best CD player I've heard or owned, but it is way up there. Very musical and listenable, but also very revealing. The only Pioneer I've ever heard that I thought equalled it was a top-end, Japan-market-only one. There are more detailed CD players out there, and warmer ones, but very few that combine both detail/clarity and warmth/musicality as well as these Denons. The few that do, are usually very expensive.

This model (2650GL Special Limited Edition) still sells for about the same price that it cost when new, years ago.

Another excellent CD player is the Marantz model that has the drawer that automatically extends out as the lid opens upwards. [Sorry, I've forgotten the model number.] A bit hard to find these days (I've only ever seen one for sale), it is known by people who own it as a "sleeper" or "giant killer" when it comes to sound quality. Some early Dutch-made Phillips CD players are also sought-after, but I think those pre-date the time period you are speaking of.

Teac and Sony also make high-end CD players for the Japanese market that are in demand, but I don't recall the model numbers.

ONCE I saw a superb-looking Marantz CD player (again, Japan-market-only) with lacquered wooden end boards and copper (plated or solid, I'm not sure) bottom and rear panels. Don't recall the model number, and couldn't find a single mention of it online when I looked it up. Unfortunately, I didn't have the asking price of $250 on me when I saw it, or I would have got it, unheard and untested, without hesitation. It was that beautiful and obviously high-end. That would be my first choice, even never having heard it, if only I could find another one!
Click to expand...

It wasn´t the Marantz CD12/CDA12 combo you saw?
 

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Why not a Tandberg, ReVox, Studer, Bang & Olufsen, or Philips/Magavox high end player. Those all sound good, even older ones and are built like the proverbial brick outhouse.
 
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