Which Yamaha CDC units are the best?

[EricC]

I am getting a single disk CD player but a multi disk would be nice when people are over and we need background music and don't feel like changing disks.
Any idea which have the best build quality?

 

[whyaskit]

I had a CDC-565 and another (I forget the model) they were very nice sounding players. No digital output or I probably would have kept it if it had one. I do know that some of the CDC's have digital outs. I like changers for their long play abilities. I gave one to a friend for Christmas and sold the other. I have owned 4 Yamaha CDPs all have been very good reliable players.

 

[EricC]

I saw Robs CDC-505 and the tray was metal which I found impressive. What this line one of the better ones? Was the CDC-905 TOTL?a

 

[the-real-mandak]

The first and properly most expensive changer from Yamaha was the CDC-610(1988) it cost about the double of the later changers. Sound wise the changers was never on level with the higher ranking Yamaha CD-P's usually they would compare to the lower ranking models like the CDX-5xx, 4xx and 3xx.

The numbering of the models are done like the CDX series; the higher the number the higher the model would rank in that given year, but I think the ranking is more about features than sound.

To answer you're question; yes the 905 was the "TOTL" of the 2 changers in that series, the main difference between the 905 and the 505 is that the 905 has digital out and variable output level.

You can see the differences here (they share manual): http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/av/english/cdC/CDC-905.pdf

To give an example, the prices in a series of 3 models like the CDC-775, 675 and 575 (all year 1999) would be 315€ for the 775 and 200€ for the 575. This would be about the same for all the changer series.

PS. If you get an CDC-905, then it would be interesting to open it and compair the insides to Rob's 505.

 

[EricC]

the-real-mandak- You know Yamaha far better then me. If you were going to get a CDC as a keeper which would you get?

 

[arrow 68]

The CDC 845 was a $500 Changer about ten years ago. http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200278&CTID=5002100&PF=1
Why does the player have to be Yamaha? Denon, and newer Rotel for the money is excellent. I use an 18 year old Denon DCM 777.

 

[yamahammer]

i have a cdc -765 in my house run it thru a entech number cruncher sounds much better with the new dac not near as nice as my cdx1100 but i think this is apples to oranges in my book

 

[the-real-mandak]

You have to select the player yourself from you're needs, I would have interest for the CDC-610 because it was the first or maybe the CDM-900 because it is crazy (it holds 110 CD's). Other than that I would not get a changer.

If you look a bit closer to the changer line, then you see it was not especially made with high-end stereo in mind it is more about convince. But you do find ok DAC's in some of them, only that is just a part of what makes the sound. This is good and bad; god because you can upgrade the parts and get better sound, bad because well... they are not build like the TOTL CD-P's.

Sorry if it sounds like I am trying to talk you out of it, you may have a god reason to get one (like not change the CD all the time ).

OK and now you have to get one of these things; I think there are 2 things to look out for;
1. The changer mechanism, how well is it working and how old is it (how much wear and tear). A changer that do not change is kind of worthless, so newer/less hours = better.
2. The DAC, there are a few different to look out for. I know Yamaha1 swears to the S-Bit plus (witch would be the CDC-635/645), he does not like the later DAC's since he finds they "change" the sound to much. Witch brings us to the PRO-Bit DAC (YAC-514F) it came in 1994 but didn't show in a changer until the CDC-765 (1997) witch in my opinion would be the first "best sounding" Yamaha changer, the PRO-Bit DAC is still used in to days CD-P's and changers.

So to stick with the 2 "rules" I would go for the newest PRO-Bit changer, the last one I have found branded with PRO-Bit is the CDC-775 witch sold from 1999 to 2001. The later models CDC-685 (2001-2006) and CDC-697 (2006- ) are not branded with PRO-Bit and have lesser specs, but it would be interesting to see what chip is inside (my guess is the YAC-514F).

I hope this helps you a bit

PS. Be aware that the model numbers are European numbers! We didn’t have the CDC-905, but all the mentioned changer manuals are on Yamahas site: http://www.yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/result.php?div_code=

----EDIT----

AROW 68 : Yes the CDC-845 sounds like it is the US counterpart to the EU 775, it even looks better and has slightly better numbers.

 

[arrow 68]

The CDC 845 was the top of the line changer. The 6xx, and 7xx series mentioned in this thread are below it. And as stated in the link I provided, the 845 has the "PRO BIT". I have seen the 845, with remote, and manual sell for $50 on that auction site. There is nothing wrong with the 6, or 7 series. But if I had to have a Yamaha Changer, I would look into the 845. And no, all of Yamaha's Numerics do not translate into a higher coressponding unit. The CDC 815 is from 1991, where the CDC 645 is from 1993.

 

[the-real-mandak]

arrow 68: Non of the 9xx or 8xx models ever sold in Europe.

And no, all of Yamaha's Numerics do not translate into a higher coressponding unit. The CDC 815 is from 1991, where the CDC 645 is from 1993.

?

 

[arrow 68]

arrow 68: Non of the 9xx or 8xx models ever sold in Europe.


?

I researched many older units, and the 845 was one I was considering. The 845 is an awfully nice changer. I am surprised they did not sell them in Europe. I could have bought a CDC 815 at Goodwill for $15 last summer. It looked decent, but the tray was full of dust. No thanks. I am waiting for another CDP thrift find.
Didn't mean to snap Mandak. To much Caffeine, and Pseudoephedrine for these damn allergies.

 

[EricC]

Thanks for the help. It looks like the 845 could be the winner. I mostly want it for convience for when people are over and we need background music. I am picking up a CDX for quality sound. I hope the 845 was made in Japan.

Mark- If I had the money I'd get the RCC-1055. Although, I'd probably get a single disk with hard drive if I had that much to spend.

 

[the-real-mandak]

Yep, the CDC-845 looks to fit the bill. The best changer sound wise Yamaha has done (seen on paper!); the design is also nicer than the rest. Funny enough the design looks to be coming from the CDX-880, witch happened to be the first CD-P with PRO-Bit.

Now I look a bit more into the CDC-845 it seems it dates to 1993/94, can any confirm this? It would fit with the design.

PS. In Europe the title of best will still go to the CDC-775; witch was the last PRO-Bit changer (this model also seems to be the last one on the US market).

Arrow 68: No offence taken, I was more confused about the thing with the numeric. The way Yamaha normally name there CD-Ps (and also CDCs) is that the first 2 digits from the end of the model number is the Year/number of the series, the next one (or 2) number indicate the quality of the model. So if we look at the 2 changers you mentioned (815 and 645) then it translate into that the 815 is of better quality but the 645 is newer.
I hope the allergies don’t give you too much trouble, I know all too well what you are talking about.

 

[absolon]

I have an 835 that appears to incorporate all the features of the 845 but apparently uses the "S-bit Plus" DAC. Orion claims '92 and $555. It sees little use but is a reliable machine.

For the 845, Orion claims '93 and $500.

 

[the-real-mandak]

There seems to be some mix-ups in the release dates on bough Orion and Audiogon, I dought that Yamaha released 2 series of changers the same year. My guess would be that the 835 came in late 92 maybe early 93 and the 845 in 94 at the same time as the CDX-880.

Since the 835 came before the PRO-Bit DAC it will carry the S-Bit+ DAC, BUT this DAC is still part of the PRO-Bit system. The Pro part is an up sampling to 20 bit after is has been thru the S-Bit+ DAC.

 

[arrow 68]

If patient, this is the time of year a nice CDP can be had cheap. Off to the thrift, as usual. -Mark-

 

[danbennett2u]

Cdc-705

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I noticed the CDC-505 and CDC-905 share the same manual. I have a CDC-705 and from the looks of it, it is exactly like the 905, but with a different remote and no digital out. Since the remote looks like a slightly older design, and it does not share the manual of the other two, is it possible this was released a little earlier?

 

[wsjoe]

The only convenience I really see if you want to play music continuously for HOURS then, it's a real benefit to have a multi-cd player. Otherwise, a single one usually better like the CDX-1100U I have.
Quality and not quantity. My two cents...

wsjoe

 

[supermario]

Hi guys,

I have the chance to buy a used CDC-635. Is there any major problem with this unit that I should know of? I know that CDC-645 is made in malaysia. Can some one with CDC-635 tell me whether it's made in japan

I currently have a Technics charger. I wonder if Yamaha CDC-635 produce better sound.

 

[avionic]

A working one...I have a el-cheapo CDC-555--paid a whole whopping 99 cents for it on ebay. The plastic pulley that drives the sled was cracked.Other than that ,it works and sounds pretty good.