CX-10000
(1987)

A monster, a real monster with everything tripled - the chassis, the chips, the possibilities, the VCAs and... the rarity. Part of the "Limited Centennial Edition 1887-1987" - I don't know how many of each unit making this set of superlative units were made... But the CX-10000 was HIGHLY reviewed in Japan back then, with a dedicated "Exciting Component" section in Stereo Sound! In other words: top of the pops and crème de la crème.

Sound-processing-wise, the CX-10000 is divided in two: a digital parametric EQ plus associated side functions and a Digital Sound Field Processor ; both parts have their own D/A converters: Hi-Bit Yamaha for the DSP and Burr-Brown PCM-56P for the EQ part.

The other chips used are exclusively Yamaha's:
3x YM3818: DSP ; 3x YM3619: 4fs digital filter (225th + 41st FIR) ; 1x YM3623: digital i/o ; 2x YM3608: DEQ, low/high filters, slpoes etc ; 3x YM3901C + 2x YM3020: 16/48k A/D converter ; 1x YM3615 + 1x YM3023: 18bit FS/H D/A.

The 3-band parametric EQ handles 4-step Qs (0,7 / 1,4 / 3 / 6) while continuously variable low and high filters can see their slopes set at 6, 12 or 18dB/octave. All this per channel, of course!

D/A is arranged according to Yamaha's Hi-Bit fashion. Output opamps are JRC 5532D. 2 transformers for the left and right analog channels and a third one for all things digital ; the six boxes (à la Accuphase or Sony TA-ER1) hold the VCA and LPF/HPF boards while the one at the bottom of the main board shields the A/D section.
The bottom plate is made of 5mm thick steel ; gold-plated terminals (53 in toto!) are present. No S-Video plugs, though - this is 1987 ! Another touch to note is the balance ring which is exactly like that of Yamaha's 1st CD player :)