For lovers of vintage Japanese 80s CDPs

[twelvebears]

I thought I should just draw people's attention to what looks to be a fine example with the added advantage of not having to fight for it through ebay...

Sony CDP X55ES CD Player. Black with the desirable rosewood side cheeks and in absolutely perfect condition. Bespoke proprietary build makes this an incredible stand alone transport with full copper chassis, optical digital output, or fixed and variable analogue options. Includes all original packing, manual and remote. (£1400) Only £395.

In Audio Emotion's pre-owned section.

http://www.audioemotion.co.uk/pre_owned.php

Just thought I mention it in case anyone was interested.

I would have had it myself but I'm very happy with my SCD-777ES

p.s. Sorry about my spelling of Japanese....

[Marco]

Very nice..........



It looks very similar to my X-777ES

They don't make 'em like that anymore (or even anything near like that), so if anyone wants a proper CD player with which to realise the CD format's true potential, then snap it up A.S.A.P - it's a total bargain!

Then send it to Mark from Audiocom for some 'judicious tweakage', bringing the internal components up to date, and end up with one of the best disc spinners you could possibly have.

Marco.

[Beechwoods]

Gorgeous! Those were the days when CD Players were built like real hifi!

[Reid Malenfant]

Yes, i guess it does look quite nice if you like that sort of thing The fluorescent display would put me off though, seen too many of them get rather dim segments or even dead ones after a period of time Availablity of these as replacements would need to be investigated imo if it was me buying one.

Compared to most Japanese stuff though they were built very well indeed, can't fault them on that score

[Jonboy]

I heard one of these recently on the end of my Dunc dac, very nice sound indeed, sounded better to me than the Electrocompaniet EMC1 UP that was in my mates system much to his i think astonishment

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7210

[Marco]

I agree about the display, Mark. However, it's the quality of the transport mechanism that's the big seller here, that and the superb build quality overall (and huge PSUs used).

All this is of fundamental necessity to create a CDP that does justice to the CD format. Today's mass-produced lightweight monstrosities, fitted with cheapo plastic DVD-ROM mechs are an affront to superly engineered units like the Sony.

If the mech's in good nick, it should last for a very long time indeed. The one in my X-777ES is still going strongly (since it was made in 1990), and it's in use for around 6-8 hours a day!

Overall, the X55ES would make a great donor unit for Audiocom to do its stuff and transform it into a veritable giant-killer!

Marco.

[Marco]

I heard one of these recently on the end of my Dunc dac, very nice sound indeed, sounded better to me than the Electrocompaniet EMC1 UP that was in my mates system much to his i think astonishment

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7210

Now that's very interesting, Jon!

Marco.

[twelvebears]

I must admit that £400 I'm very tempted to nab it myself.....

[Reid Malenfant]

<snip> However, it's the quality of the transport mechanism that's the big seller here, that and the superb build quality overall (and huge PSUs used).

All that is of fundamental necessity to create a CDP that does justice to the CD format. Today's mass-produced lightweight monstrosities, fitted with cheapo plastic DVD-ROM mechs are an affront to superly engineered units like the Sony.

Marco.

Yes i'm in full agreement with you on this score Nothing like an oversized PSU just chugging along with the knowledge that it'll never be under any strain what so ever

The chassis was very well built to from what i remember so it all adds up to something pretty decent & like you say, miles better than just about any other japanese kit available

[Jonboy]

Now that's very interesting, Jon!

Marco.

I think the EMC I up has a sony mech in it, nice mech, is it simular to yours ?