Sony CDP-R1a
Sony DAS-R1a
(1990 - 1995)

Sales-wise not as successful as the original R1 combo but a welcome digital-to-analogue update and a fairly different drive: the original BU-10 introduced in 1987 gave way to more "G" compound, a newer 3x BSL motor unit with a cleaner mechanism layout, equivalent to that of the CDP-X779ES and CDP-X707ES players.
This new mechanism allowed even better vibration control and damping and Accuphase, naturally, used it in its own units.

The DAS-R1a saw multiple CXD-2552Q PULSE DACs replace the original Philips Silver Crown TDA, and offered more input formats (besides the maintained Twin Link bi-directional clockwork) plus a pair of balanced outputs. As for all of Sony's top units, the fit, finish, work on colors and textures is unbelievable and puts all other brands right next to the DIY amateurs - but you got to see and use them to fully understand that.

Perhaps the near-identical looks were a mistake (market-wise) but this still is an excellent combo which was kept available along the 1992/93 CDP-R10 and DAS-R10 for those who couldn't shed 1,000,000¥ for the latter. Although... at 700,000¥, the R1a combo wasn't exactly cheap either.