Beginning with the story of how the pioneering Sony CD Player helped bring CD quality satellite audio to fruition, we delve into the hidden flaw which is bringing these historic instruments down.

We show you how to add the heatsinks which Sony left out, rescuing the first CD player available in the U.S. The article also covers replacing the failure-prone and rare, focus and tracking servo amps, with commonly available parts. Get it here: 

Reader Comments

Posted by Steve L.

May 05, 2010 - 12:39 pm

(reedited) Hi MYPearl, Sorry that I do not have the document you mentioned. I do recall that Sony published articles on that in the Journal of the AES. That organization offers a paper about the CD format here: CD format paper --but it's only cost-effective if you are a member.

Posted by MyPearl

April 25, 2010 - 07:40 pm

There are so little proper conducted and documented AB tests... While everybody seems to agree ''those old DACS sound ancient" I have yet to see prove of that. Although I am sure I can hear the difference between a modern cheap chinese CD player and a quality one. But that is probably more due to the analog output desing and implementation as well ass clean power supply. BTW, doe you have a PDF copy of the theory manual on the CDP 101 and CD tech in general, that Sony released when this was a new product? It describes all CD technology in detail (CIRC, EFM etc,) as well as how these are implemented in the CDP 101 Hardware? I have seen a paper version long time ago but can't find it anywhere now... Cheers, Mendel

Posted by Steve L.

April 21, 2010 - 08:30 am

Hi MYPearl, Thanks for the compliment and the interesting post. The link is a very interesting read. I knew that digital audio had been validated by blind testing in the early days but it's great to see the real references.You see so many "golden ears" comments and claims these days. One wonders how these writers would perform with blind testing. A blind test box is on my projects list :)

Posted by MYPearl

April 21, 2010 - 08:18 am

Great webpage. 10 years ago I went through exactly the same route restoring a 101 I found in the trash. I ended up buying the replacement amps from Sony. If you like this beast, try a Sony PCM701ES PCM encoder, which has the same integrating DAC and evenly ancient 889 AD converters. You've gotta love this vintage digital equipment. Another interesting read on this 'ancient' DAC; an 1983 ABX test review of this ACD/inserted in a LINN audio chain only to reveal the actual LINN people (that said these DACS were horrible) could not tell when the ACD/DAC process was inserted. http://www.bostonaudiosociety.org/bas_speaker/abx_testing2.htm

Posted by Steve L.

February 28, 2010 - 09:02 am

Hi Ivan, That's great that you are reviving your CDP! Let us know how it goes. Thanks for your post. --SteveL.

Posted by Ivan T.

February 28, 2010 - 06:57 am

Thank you very much to both of you Adrian and Steve. Finally my old cdp will turn to live again :-)

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