I’m a big fan of Sony vintage top ES CD players. In this article I collected all of the top of the line Sony CD players from the beginning to the end of fixed pickup line. I consider this era as the Sony classic CD player era. (Sony started to promote SACD after 1999 and that is a different story.)
I ordered the ES CD player line into 4 categories. It seems to me that sometime Sony’s marketing papers also classified products but this calssification is based on my own concept. I only took the top 4 categories into account. If an ES player didn’t fit one of these 4 categories, I left that out. At the end of the 90’s Sony added low category products to ES line also (like X111ES). I didn’t want to deal with these.
There were multiple sources for technical and other data. Primary source was the official Sony Service Manual for the specific model. If a data wasn’t available in service manuals, I took old Sony marketing materials. Sometime I searched photos about the inside of the players itself. I used other fan sites about CD technology and Sony (mainly Japanese sources). It seems to me that even official Service Manuals wasn’t always correct about a specific data. Not to mention marketing papers. Exact release date is also very hard to determine. I added notes for the doubtful data. Please take into consideration that I don’t have phisycal example from these players and I haven’t seen most of them (except 1-2).
Because of the high number of players, I ordered the timeline into categories and every category contains only a few players.
Below is the summary of the 4 level of the complete ES CD player line. I included the pick-up type, original Japanese type number and price and overseas type number (if there was) on the picture. Blue line shows the lineage: what player inspired the development of the next player.
Non-oversampling players
| Japanese model | CDP-101 | CDP-701ES | CDP-501ES |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | |||
| European model (if different) | |||
| Japanese release | 1982. 08 (USA, Europe: 1983) | 1983. 03 | 1983 |
| Distribution | 1982-1985 | 1983-1985 | 1983-1985 |
| Frequency response | 5-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 5-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 5-20000Hz +-0,5dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0,004% (1kHz) | 0,003% (1kHz) | 0,003% (1kHz) |
| Dynamic range | >90dB | >95dB | >95dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | >90dB | >102dB | |
| Channel separation | >90dB (1kHz) | >90dB (1kHz) | >90dB (1kHz) |
| DAC | |||
| DAC nickname | - | - | - |
| Digitális szűrő IC | - | - | - |
| DAC IC | CX20017 | 2xCX890 (CX20017 in later version) | CX20017 |
| DAC clock | 44,1 kHz | 44,1 kHz | 44,1 kHz |
| Oversampling | - | - | - |
| Bitrate converting in filter | - | - | - |
| Dither | - | - | - |
| Low-pass filter | 9 point | 11th order | |
| Mechanism | |||
| Mechanism type | |||
| Base unit | BHR-2600A | BHR-2601A | BHR-2600A |
| Optical pick-up | KSS-100A | KSC-100A (Toshiba OPH-31) | KSS-100A |
| Linear drive | - | - | - |
| BSL motor | x | x | x |
| Base unit material | - | - | - |
| Chassis material | steel | ||
| Fine ceramics | - | - | - |
| Servo | |||
| Disc tray | composite | ||
| Outputs | |||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) |
| Line out, balanced | - | - | - |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | - | - | 0-2V (1 pair RCA) |
| Digital coax output | - | - | - |
| Optical output | - | - | - |
| Digital coax input | - | - | - |
| Optical input | - | - | - |
| Phone jack | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-101 (plus 10000 yen) | RM-101 (plus 10000 yen) | RM-111 |
| Fogyasztás | 30W | 38W | 30W |
| Power transformer | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width | 355 mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 105 mm | 105mm | 105mm |
| Depth | 325 mm | 385mm | 325mm |
| Weight | 7,6kg | 11,5kg | 8,6kg |
| Original price | 168000 yen; 2300 DM; 7500 franc (incl. remote); 800 GBP | 260000 yen1; 3950 DM; 1500 USD | 168000 yen |
1: CDP-701ES was one the most expensive integrated Sony CD player ever released. There were more expensive transport/dac systems later but this was one box player. Only CDP-R3 was more expensive in the one box range.
3rd generation Sony ES CD players
| Japanese model | CDP-502ES | CDP-502ESII | CDP-552ESD | CDP-302ES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | CDP-620ES | CDP-620ESII | CDP-650ESD | CDP-650ESDII | DAS-702ES | USA: CDP-520ES; Canada: CDP-302 |
| European model (if different) | CDP-502ES | CDP-502ESII | CDP-552ESD | CDP-552ESDII | DAS-702ES | CDP-302ES |
| Japanese release | 1984.11.21 | 1985.02 (other source said 1984) | 1985 (?) | 1984 | 1984.10 | |
| Distribution | 1984-1987 | -1987 | -1987 | -1987 | ||
| Frequency response | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 5-20000Hz +-0,5dB (44,1kHz or more) | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0,0025% (1kHz) | 0,0025% (1kHz) | 0,0025% (1kHz) | 0,0025% (1kHz) | 0,004% | 0,003% |
| Dynamic range | >96dB | >96dB | >96dB | >96dB | >95dB | >96dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | ||||||
| Channel separation | >95dB | >95dB | >95dB | >90dB | >95dB | |
| DAC | ||||||
| DAC nickname | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM |
| Digitális szűrő IC | CX23034 | CX23034 | CX23034 | CX23034 | CX23034 | CX23034 |
| DAC IC | CX20152 | 2 x PCM53KP-V-S | CX20152 | 2xPCM53KP-V-S | 2 x PCM53JG-I | CX20152 |
| DAC clock | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz |
| Oversampling | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Bitrate converting in filter | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dither | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Low-pass filter | 7th order GIC (Generalized Impedance Converter) | 7th order GIC (Generalized Impedance Converter) | 7th order GIC (Generalized Impedance Converter) | 7th order Butterworth | ||
| Mechanism | ||||||
| Mechanism type | - | |||||
| Base unit | BU-1 | BU-1C | BU-1C | - | BU-1 | |
| Optical pick-up | - | |||||
| Linear drive | x | x | x | x | - | x |
| BSL motor | x | x | x | x | - | x |
| Base unit material | cerasin | cerasin | - | |||
| Chassis material | - | |||||
| Fine ceramics | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Servo | - | |||||
| Disc tray | - | |||||
| Outputs | ||||||
| Line out, unbalanced 1 | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) |
| Line out, balanced | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | 0-2V (1 pair RCA) | 0-2V (1 pair RCA) | 0,05-2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 0,05-2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 0-5V (1 pair RCA) | - |
| Digital coax output | - | - | 0,5V/75 Ohm | 0,5V/75 Ohm | 2 x 0,5V/75 Ohm | - |
| Optical output | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Digital coax input | - | - | - | - | 2 x 0,5V/75 Ohm | - |
| Optical input | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Phone jack | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm | - | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm | 14mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32 ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-D 502 | RM-D 502 | RM-D 502 | RM-D 502 | - | RM-D 302 |
| Fogyasztás | 16W | 16W | 16W | 16W | 28W (USA version: 25W) | |
| Power transformer | 1 (35VA, OFC) | 1 (35VA, OFC) | 1 | 1 | 1 (190VA) | 1 (20VA) |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Width | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 80mm | 80mm | 80mm | 85mm | 105mm | 80mm |
| Depth | 355 mm | 355 mm | 365mm | 365mm | 410mm | 335mm |
| Weight | 8,5kg | 8,5kg | 10,4kg | 9,3kg | 11,5kg | 6,7kg |
| Original price | 150000 yen; 2500 DM; 950 USD | 700 GBP | 180000 yen; 1300 USD | 2700 DM | 200000 yen; 3000 DM | 118000 yen; 650 USD |
1: I don’t have exact data for all Sony players but it seems to me that most ES CD players had 2,5V max output level on unbalanced outputs, instead of 2V as stated in manuals.
1985-1986: 4th and 5th generation
| Japanese model | CDP-303ES | CDP-555ESD | CDP-333ESD | CDP-222ES | CDP-222ESD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | CDP-705ESD | CDP-605ESD | not released | CDP-505ESD | |||
| European model (if different) | not released | ||||||
| Japanese release | 1985 | 1985 | 1985.11 | 1986.10 | 1986.10 | 1986.10 | |
| Distribution | -1987 | ||||||
| Frequency response | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 5-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0,0025% | 0,004% | 0,003% | 0,0025% | 0,0025% | 0,003% | 0,003% |
| Dynamic range | >96dB | >95dB | >96dB | >97dB | >97dB | >95dB | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | >106dB | >106dB | 102dB | >102dB | |||
| Channel separation | >95dB | >90dB | >95dB | >100dB | >100dB | >98dB | |
| DAC | |||||||
| DAC nickname | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM | UNILINEAR CONVERTER SYSTEM |
| Digitális szűrő IC | CX23034 | CX23034 | CX23034 | CXD1088Q | CXD1088Q | CX23034 | CXD1088Q |
| DAC IC | 2 x PCM53KP-V-S | 2x PCM53JP-1 | CX20152 | TDA1541 | TDA1541 | 2xPCM56P-J | TDA1541-N5 |
| DAC clock | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz | 88,2kHz | 176,4kHz | 176,4kHz | 88,2kHz | 176,4kHz |
| Oversampling | 2x | 2x | 2x | 4x | 4x | 2x | 4x |
| Bitrate converting in filter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dither | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Low-pass filter | 7th order GIC Butterworth | 3rd order GIC | 5th order | ||||
| Mechanism | |||||||
| Mechanism type | - | CDM4-1C | CDM4A-1E | CDM6-6 | |||
| Base unit | BU-1C | - | BU-1C | BU-1E | BU-1E | ||
| Optical pick-up | - | KSS-121A | KSS-151A | KSS-151A | |||
| Linear drive | x | - | x | x | x | x | x |
| BSL motor | x | - | x | x | x | - | |
| Base unit material | cerasin | - | gibraltar | cerasin | cerasin | cerasin | cerasin |
| Chassis material | gibraltar | ||||||
| Fine ceramics | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Servo | - | S-SERVO | S-SERVO | S-SERVO | S-SERVO | ||
| Disc tray | - | ||||||
| Outputs | |||||||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2V 50 kOhm (1 pair RCA) | 2,5Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2V 50 kOhm (1 pair RCA) | 2V 50 kOhm (1 pair RCA) | 2,5Vrms (1 pair RCA) | 2Vrms 50 kOhm (1 pair RCA) |
| Line out, balanced | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | 0,05-2V 50kOhm (1 pair RCA) | 0-2,5Vrms (1 pair RCA) | - | 0-2Vrms 50kOhm (1 pair RCA) | - | - | - |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V/75ohm | 1 | - | 0,5V/75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm | - | 0,5V/75ohm |
| Optical output | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Digital coax input | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Optical input | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Phone jack | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 14mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-D502 | - | RM-D302 | RM-D502A | RM-D550 | RM-D350A | |
| Fogyasztás | 15W | 25W | 15W | 20W | 20W | 12W | 15W |
| Power transformer | 1 (35VA) | 2 (digit/analog) | 1 (17VA) | 2x35VA (digit/analog) | 1 (20VA) | 1 (21VA) | 1 |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Width | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 85mm | 110mm | 85mm | 125mm | 110mm | 100mm | 100mm |
| Depth | 365mm | 435mm | 336mm | 395mm | 340mm | 335mm | 335mm |
| Weight | 9,3kg | 15kg | 6,8kg | 14,1kg | 8,35kg | 5,4kg | 5,3kg |
| Original price | 160000 yen | 250000 yen | 99800 yen; 1600 DM; 500 GBP | 150000 yen; 1000 GBP; 1500 USD | 89800 yen | 66800 yen | |
1987-1988: last two generation from multibit era
These were the last Sony ES CD players with multibit DAC. There was the R1 also but there will be dedicated chapter for „R”-players/DACs.
| Japanese model | CDP-557ESD | CDP-337ESD | CDP-227ESD | CDP-X7ESD | CDP-338ESD | CDP-228ESD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | CDP-707ESD | CDP-507ESD | CDP-608ESD | |||
| European model (if different) | ||||||
| Japanese release | 1987.09 | 1987.09 | 1987.09 | 1988 | 1988 | 1988 |
| Distribution | ||||||
| Frequency response | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB (at 557: +-0,5dB) | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,5dB | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,5dB | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,5dB (608ESD: +-0,3dB) | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,5dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0,0015% | 0,0025% | 0,0025% | 0,0015% | 0,0022% | 0,0025% |
| Dynamic range | >100dB (EIAJ) | >98dB | >96dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | >115dB (EIAJ) | >110dB | >106dB | >115dB | >113dB | >110 dB |
| Channel separation | >110dB (EIAJ) | >100dB | >100dB | >110 dB | >110 dB | >105dB |
| DAC | ||||||
| DAC nickname | - | - | - | HI-PRECISION D/A SYSTEM | HI-PRECISION D/A SYSTEM | HI-PRECISION D/A SYSTEM |
| Digitális szűrő IC | CXD1144P | CXD1144P | CXD1144P | CXD1244S | CXD1244S | CXD1244S |
| DAC IC | 2xPCM64P (18 bit) | 2xTDA1541-N5 | 2xTDA1541-R5 | 2xPCM58P-S (18bit) | 2xPCM58P-J (18 bit) | 2 x PCM58P-J (18 bit) |
| DAC clock | 352,8kHz | 352,8kHz | 352,8kHz | 352,8kHz | 352,8kHz | |
| Oversampling | 8x | 8x | not obvious whether 8x or 4x | 8x | 8x | 8x |
| Bitrate converting in filter | 18 bit | 18 bit | 18bit (some instances it was nothing) | 45bit | 45bit | 45bit |
| Dither | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Low-pass filter | 3rd order GIC | |||||
| Mechanism | ||||||
| Mechanism type | linear motor; BSL | CDM4B-10 | CDM9-6 | CDM4F-10A | ||
| Base unit | BU-10 | BU-6 | BU-10A | BU-6B | BU-6B | |
| Optical pick-up | KSS-190A | KSS-190A | KSS-151A | KSS-190A | KSS-151A | KSS-151A |
| Linear drive | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| BSL motor | x | x | - | x | - | - |
| Base unit material | ADC (aluminium die-cast) | ADC | ADC | gibraltar | gibraltar | |
| Chassis material | gibraltar | gibraltar | gibraltar | FB chassis | FB chassis | |
| Fine ceramics | x | - | - | x | x | - |
| Servo | S-SERVO II | S-SERVO II | S-SERVO II | S-SERVO III | S-SERVO III | S-SERVO III |
| Disc tray | - | |||||
| Outputs | ||||||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm |
| Line out, balanced | - | - | - | 2 (L/R) | - | - |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V/75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Digital coax input | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Optical input | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Phone jack | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 40 mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-D650 | RM-D650 | RM-D650 | RM-D770 | RM-D670 | RM-D570 |
| Fogyasztás | 22W | 27W | 22W | 26W | 27W | 18W |
| Power transformer | 2 (digit/analóg) | 1 (45VA) | 1 (22,7VA) | 2 (digit/analog) | 1 | 1 |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Width | 470mm (UK model: 430mm) | 430mm | 430mm | 470mm (430mm: UK) | 470mm | 430mm |
| Height | 125mm | 125mm | 110mm | 125mm | 125mm | 120mm |
| Depth | 395mm | 375mm | 345mm | 375mm | 375mm | 340mm |
| Weight | 18kg1 (UK model: 17kg) | 11,5kg | 6,3kg | 17kg (16kg: UK) | 12,5kg | 12,5kg |
| Original price | 180000 yen; 1800 USD; 1000 GBP | 89800 yen; 550 GBP | 59800 yen; 350 GBP | 200000 yen | 89800 yen | 59800 yen; 400 GBP |
1: CDP-557ESD was the heaviest one box Sony ES CD player ever released besides CDP-R3.
1989-1990: first two generation from 1-bit era
| Japanese model | CDP-X77ES | CDP-X55ES | CDP-X33ES | CDP-X777ES | CDP-X555ES | CDP-X333ES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | ||||||
| European model (if different) | ||||||
| Japanese release | 1989.10 | 1989.10 | 1989.10 | 1990 | 1990 | 1990 |
| Distribution | ||||||
| Frequency response | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,3dB | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,3dB | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,5dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0,0015% | 0,0018% | 0,002% | 0,0017% | 0,0018% | |
| Dynamic range | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | >117dB | >115dB | >113dB | >118dB | >117dB | >115dB |
| Channel separation | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB |
| DAC | ||||||
| DAC nickname | High Density Linear Converter | High Density Linear Converter | High Density Linear Converter | High Density Linear Converter | High Density Linear Converter | |
| Digitális szűrő IC | CXD1244S | CXD1244S | CXD1244S | CXD1244S | CXD1244S | CXD1244S |
| DAC IC | 2xCXD2552Q-1 | CXD2552Q-2 | CXD2552Q-2 | 2xCXD2552Q-1 | 2 x CXD2552Q-2 | 2 x CXD2552Q-2 |
| DAC clock | 45MHz | 45MHz | 45MHz | 45MHz | 45MHz | 45MHz |
| Oversampling | 8x | 8x | 8x | 8x | 8x | 8x |
| Bitrate converting in filter | 45bit | 45bit | 45bit | 45bit | 45bit | |
| Dither | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Low-pass filter | GIC | |||||
| Mechanism | ||||||
| Mechanism type | CDM4F-10B | CDM11E-6C | CDM11E-6C | CDM4K-10D (black) CDM4J-10D (golden) | CDM11H-6C (black) CDM11I-6C (golden) | CDM11H-6C |
| Base unit | BU-10B | BU-6C | BU-6C | BU-10D | BU-6C | BU-6C |
| Optical pick-up | KSS-280A | KSS-270A | KSS-270A | KSS-281A | KSS-271A | KSS-271A |
| Linear drive | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| BSL motor | x | - | - | x | - | - |
| Base unit material | ADC | gibraltar | gibraltar | ADC | gibraltar | |
| Chassis material | FB Chassis | FB Chassis | FB Chassis | FB Chassis | FB Chassis | |
| Fine ceramics | x | x | - | x | x | - |
| Servo | S-SERVO III | S-SERVO III | S-SERVO III | TS Servo II | TS Servo II | |
| Disc tray | ||||||
| Outputs | ||||||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2Vrms 50 kOhm | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Line out, balanced | 2 (L/R) | - | - | 2V (50kOhm) | - | - |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V/75ohm | - | - | 0,5V 75ohm (CDP) | - | - |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Digital coax input | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Optical input | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Phone jack | 40 mW (32Ohm) | 28mW (32Ohm) | 28mW (32Ohm) | 100mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) | 28mW (32Ohm) |
| Remote controller type | RM-D770 (black); RM-D771 (golden) | RM-D590 | RM-D590 | RM-D992 | ||
| Fogyasztás | 26W | 22W | 20W | 30W | 23W | |
| Power transformer | 2 (digit/analog) floating | 2 (digit/analog) floating | 11 | 2 (digit/analog) | European: 1; Non EU: 2 (digit/analog) | |
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Width | 470mm (430mm without wooden side panels) | 470mm (430mm without wooden side panels) | 430mm | 430mm (UK) 470mm (máshol) | 470mm | 430mm |
| Height | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm |
| Depth | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm |
| Weight | 17kg | 12,5kg (UK: 11,5kg) | 10kg | 16kg (UK) 17kg (máshol) | 12,8kg | 11kg |
| Original price | 180000 yen; 1000 GBP; 1700 USD | 89800 yen; 600 GBP | 59800 yen | 180000 yen | 89800 yen; 900 USD | 59800 yen |
1: All manuals wrote that CDP-X33ES contains 1 transformator but there are photos about its internal where it is clearly seen that it sometime contains 2 transformators sometime contains only 1.
1991-1992: end of moving pick-up and linear motor
| Japanese model | CDP-X777ESA | CDP-X555ESA | CDP-X333ESA | CDP-X777ESJ | CDP-X555ESJ | CDP-X333ESJ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | CDP-X779ES | CDP-X559ES | CDP-X339ES | CDP-X707ES | not released | CDP-X303ES |
| European model (if different) | CDP-X779ES | CDP-X559ES | CDP-X339ES | CDP-X707ES | CDP-X505ES | CDP-X303ES |
| Japanese release | 1991.11 | 1991.11 | 1991.11 | 1992.11 | 1992.11 | 1992.11 |
| Distribution | 1992-1994 | |||||
| Frequency response | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB |
| Harmonic distortion | <0,0015% | <0,0017% | 0,0018% | 0,0015% | 0,0017% | 0,0018% |
| Dynamic range | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | >119dB | >118dB | >116dB | >119dB | >118dB | >117dB |
| Channel separation | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB |
| DAC | ||||||
| DAC nickname | Advanced HDLC | Advanced HDLC | Advanced HDLC | |||
| Digitális szűrő IC | CXD2560M | CXD2560M | CXD2560M | CXD2567M | CXD2567M | CXD2567M |
| DAC IC | 2xCXD2562Q | CXD2562Q | CXD2562Q | 2xCXD2562Q | CXD2562Q | CXD2562Q |
| DAC clock | 90MHz | 90MHz | 90MHz | |||
| Oversampling | 64x | 64x | 64x | 8x | 8x | 8x |
| Bitrate converting in filter | 45bit | 45bit | 45bit | 45bit score (20 bites kimenet) | 45bit score (20 bites kimenet) | 45bit score (20 bites kimenet) |
| Dither | - | - | - | x | x | x |
| Low-pass filter | ||||||
| Mechanism | ||||||
| Mechanism type | CDM19A-6F70 (fekete) (CDM19B-6F70 - arany) | CDM19C-6G50 (fekete) (CDM19D-6G50 - arany) | CDM19E-6H50 | CDM19A-6F70 (fekete) (CDM19B-6F70 - arany) | CDM19E2-6H50 | |
| Base unit | BU-6G | BU-6H | BU-6G | BU-6H | ||
| Optical pick-up | KSS-272A | KSS-272A | KSS-272A | KSS-272A | KSS-272A | KSS-272A |
| Linear drive | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| BSL motor | x | x | - | x | x | - |
| Base unit material | gibraltar | gibraltar | gibraltar | gibraltar | gibraltar | gibraltar |
| Chassis material | FB chassis | FB chassis | FB chassis | FB-copper chassis | FB-copper chassis | FB chassis |
| Fine ceramics | x | x | x | x | ||
| Servo | S-SERVO III | S-SERVO III | S-SERVO III | |||
| Disc tray | gibraltar | gibraltar | gibraltar | |||
| Outputs | ||||||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Line out, balanced | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | ||||
| Variable line out, unbalanced | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm | ||||
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Digital coax input | ||||||
| Optical input | ||||||
| Phone jack | 100mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 100mW (32Ohm) | 28mW (32Ohm) | 28mW (32Ohm) |
| Remote controller type | RM-D996; RM-D995 (silver) | RM-D891 (golden), RM-D991 (black) | RM-D991 | RM-D995 | RM-D991(black), RM-D891(golden) | RM-D991 |
| Fogyasztás | 38W | 29W | 23W | 38W | 29W | 24W |
| Power transformer | 1 (Twin Core) | 2 (digit/analog) | ||||
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Width | 470mm | UK: 430mm; Other: 470mm | 430mm; 470mm (US, kanada) | 470mm | 470mm (Australia: 430mm) | 470mm |
| Height | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm |
| Depth | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm | 375mm |
| Weight | 16,5kg | 13kg (AEP), 12kg (UK), 12,2kg (EU) | 11kg (US,Canada: 12kg) | 16,5kg | 13,2kg (EU); 12,5 (Australia); 12,3kg (other) | 11,5kg (US, Canada), 10,6kg (other) |
| Original price | 200000 yen; 1900 USD | 90000 yen | 60000 yen | 200000 yen | 90000 yen | 60000 yen |
1988-1992: reference line
| Japanese model | CDP-R3 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | |||||||
| European model (if different) | |||||||
| Japanese release | 1989.12 | ||||||
| Distribution | 1989-1995 | ||||||
| Frequency response | - | 10Hz-20kHz +0-0,5dB (44,1-es mintánál) | - | 10Hz-20kHz +-0,5dB (44,1-es mintánál) | 2Hz-20kHZ +-0,5dB | - | |
| Harmonic distortion | - | 0,0025% (EIAJ: 0,005% (20Hz-20kHz)) | - | 0,002% | 0,002% | - | |
| Dynamic range | - | >97dB | - | >100dB | >100dB | - | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | - | >110dB | - | >117dB | >117dB | - | |
| Channel separation | - | >100dB | - | >110dB | >110dB | - | |
| DAC | |||||||
| DAC nickname | - | UNILINEAR QUADRUPLE D/A CONVERTER SYSTEM | - | HIGH DENSITY LINEAR D/A CONVERTER SYSTEM (Pulse D/A; Extended Noise Shaping) | High Density Linear Converter | - | Current Pulse D/A converter |
| Digitális szűrő IC | - | CXD1144AP | - | CXD1244S | - | ||
| DAC IC | - | 2xTDA1541A-S1 | - | 2x CXD2552Q-1 | 2x CXD2552Q-1 | - | |
| DAC clock | - | 352,8kHz | - | 45MHz | 45MHz | - | |
| Oversampling | - | 8x | - | 8x | 8x | - | |
| Bitrate converting in filter | - | 18 bit | - | 45bit | 45bit | - | |
| Dither | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Low-pass filter | - | 2nd order AD712JN | - | AD712JN Cauer | AD712JN Cauer | - | |
| Mechanism | |||||||
| Mechanism type | CDM4D-10 | - | CDM11G-6D | - | - | ||
| Base unit | BU-10 | - | BU-6D | - | - | ||
| Optical pick-up | KSS-190A | - | KSS-151A | - | KSS-151A | - | |
| Linear drive | x | - | x | - | x | - | |
| BSL motor | x | - | - | - | x | - | |
| Base unit material | ADC | - | gibraltar | - | - | ||
| Chassis material | FB chassis | FB Chassis | FB Chassis | ||||
| Fine ceramics | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Servo | TS-Servo | - | - | GTS Servo | - | ||
| Disc tray | - | - | - | ||||
| Outputs | |||||||
| Line out, unbalanced | - | 2,5V | - | 2,5V (50kOhm) | 2,5V (50kOhm) | - | 1 pár RCA |
| Line out, balanced | - | - | - | 2,5V | 5V (1 pair XLR) | - | 1 pár XLR |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm | - | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V/75ohm | 1 | - | |
| Optical output | - | - | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 2 | - | |
| Digital coax input | - | 2x (32, 44,1, 48kHz) | - | 2x 0,5V 75Ohm (32, 44,1, 48kHz) | - | - | 1 |
| Optical input | - | - | - | 2x 660nm -18dBm | - | - | 3 |
| Phone jack | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Remote controller type | RM-A1 | - | RM-A1a | - | RM-A1a | - | |
| Fogyasztás | 13W | 25W | 14W | 19W | 17W | 30W | 53W |
| Power transformer | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Width | 470mm | 470mm | 470mm | 470mm | 470mm | ||
| Height | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | ||
| Depth | 410mm | 410mm | 410mm | 410mm | 410mm | ||
| Weight | 17kg | 17kg | 18kg | 17kg | 18kg | 30kg | 25kg |
| Original price | 300000 yen; 8000 USD; 5000 GBP | 300000 yen; 8000 USD; 5000 GBP | 300000 yen | 300000 yen | 300000 yen | 1200000 yen | 800000 yen |
CDP-R1/DAS-R1 and CDP-R1a/DAS-R1a have the so-called twin link optical interface besides coaxial interfaces and optical interfaces (on R1a). Information about CDP-R10/DAS-R10 is very limited and mainly in Japanese. As my understanding it used some kind of DSP type digital filter. With its 2 million yen price, probably this was the most expensive CD player Sony ever made. Sony made it just on special order.
1994-1999: fixed pick-up all the way
| Japanese model | CDP-XA7ES | CDP-XA5ES | CDP-XA3ES1 | CDP-XA50ES | CDP-XA30ES | CDP-XA55ES | CDP-XA555ES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada model (if different) | |||||||
| European model (if different) | |||||||
| Japanese release | 1994.10 | 1994.10 | 1994.10 | 1996.11 | 1996.11 | 1998.12.10 | 1999 |
| Distribution | 1994-1997 | 1994-1996 | 1994-1996 | 1996-2001 | 1998-2001 | ||
| Frequency response | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB | 2-20000Hz +-0,3dB |
| Harmonic distortion | 0,0015% | 0,0017% | 0,0018% | 0,0017% | 0,0018% | 0,0017% | 0,0020% |
| Dynamic range | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB | >100dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | >119dB | >119dB | >118dB | no longer listed in the catalogs | no longer listed in the catalogs | no longer listed in the catalogs | no longer listed in the catalogs |
| Channel separation | >110dB | >110dB | >110dB | no longer listed in the catalogs | no longer listed in the catalogs | no longer listed in the catalogs | no longer listed in the catalogs |
| DAC | |||||||
| DAC nickname | Current Pulse D/A converter | Current Pulse D/A converter | Current Pulse D/A converter | Current Pulse D/A Converter | Current Pulse D/A Converter | Current Pulse D/A Converter | Current Pulse D/A Converter |
| Digitális szűrő IC | CXD8504M | CXD8504M | CXD8504M | CXD8679Q | CXD8679Q | CXD8762Q | |
| DAC IC | CXD2562Q + 2xCXA8042S | CXD2562Q + 2xCXA8042S | CXD2562Q + 2xCXA8042S | CXD2562Q-CS + 2xCXA8042AS | CXD2562Q-CS + 2xCXA8042AS | CXD9521Q+2x CXA8042AS | |
| DAC clock | |||||||
| Oversampling | 8x | 8x | |||||
| Bitrate converting in filter | 45bit | 45bit | 24 bit (5 digital filter) | ||||
| Dither | |||||||
| Low-pass filter | Cauer | ||||||
| Mechanism | |||||||
| Mechanism type | CDM32HB-12H (black) CDM32HN-12H (golden) | CDM32MB-12M (black) CDM32MN-12M (golden) | CDM19E2-5BD10B | CDM32BB-12B (black) DM32BN-12B (golden) | CDM36A-14A | CDM32EB-12C (black) DM32EN-12C (golden) | |
| Base unit | BU-12H | BU-12M | BU-5BD10B | BU-12B | BU-14A | BU-12C | |
| Optical pick-up | KSS-273A | KSS-273A | KSS-240A | KSS-273B/J1N | KSS-213B | KSS-273B/J1N | |
| Linear drive | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| BSL motor | x | x | - | x | x | x | x |
| Base unit material | zinc | zinc | |||||
| Chassis material | FB chassis | FB chassis | FB chassis | FB chassis | FB chassis | ||
| Fine ceramics | - | - | - | ||||
| Servo | - | ||||||
| Disc tray | BMC plastic | - | |||||
| Outputs | |||||||
| Line out, unbalanced | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) | 2V (50kOhm) |
| Line out, balanced | 2V (50kOhm) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Variable line out, unbalanced | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm | 0-2V 50kOhm |
| Digital coax output | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm | - | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm | 0,5V 75ohm |
| Optical output | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm | 660 nm/-18dBm |
| Digital coax input | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Optical input | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Phone jack | 100mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm | 28mW (32Ohm) 6,3mm |
| Remote controller type | RM-D 921 | RM-D 921 | RM-D 921 | RM-D950 | RM-D950 | RM-D950 | |
| Fogyasztás | 28W | 20W | 17W (EU/Australia), 19W (USA/Canada) | 20W | 18W | 20W | 23W |
| Power transformer | 1 (Twin Core) | 2 R-core (audio/digital) | 1 (R-core) | 2 R-core (audio/digital) | 1 (R-core) | 3 (R-core) | 3 (R-core) |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Width | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Height | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 125mm | 126mm |
| Depth | 375mm | 370mm | 375mm | 375mm | 350mm | 375mm | 375mm |
| Weight | 15kg | 13,5kg | 6,6kg | 15,2kg | 9kg | 13,2kg | 13,2kg |
| Original price | 250000 yen; 3000 USD | 98000 yen | 60000 yen | 98000 yen | 66000 yen | 99000 yen | 99000 yen |
1: CDP-XA3ES was not fixed pick-up player.
Róbert Sipos (2023)
I would like to special thanks to folks who scanned vintage Sony papers!
Special information sources: