Sony CDP-701ES
(1983 - 1985)

The first and very well built ES unit and THE high-end best-seller in Japan in 1983/1984.

One of the very few 1980s component that, although adorned with many a button, manages to remain elegant. The finish is in it for something, the all-metal quality, too : felt-covered 3 to 4mm anodized aluminium plates, steel chassis, copper everywhere, massive heatsinking (copper-plated), a work on textures and colors à la Sony (still unmatched by anyone, anywhere, anytime) and a feel of use which Sony carried on so well until the last of the X7 CD players and the original 1999 SACD bestsellers : SCD-1 and SCD-777ES.
 

However, aided by the multi-display display, programming is a bit nightmarish and the sound now isn't on par with said X7 players.

According to Siglo XX, owner of two, the main culprit of the 701ES is the encased LPF which is previsibly (and just as the optical block) not available anymore. Digital chips and ICs are all Sony, like on the CDP-101 or the... Yamaha CD-1.

A mod' involving three dead 701ES, turning them into D/A units can be found here ; specs and chips are to be found you know where.

More images and specs within the upcoming TVK v2 interface - stay tuned !
     
 
Although Sony never made a dedicated ESPRIT CD player (or FM tuner, or turntable...), the 701ES was the one accompanying the last of the ESPRIT series : APM-4, TA-N902 and TA-E901.
But the idea of a CDP-901 or CDP-902 still is tantalizing...