Yamaha CD-1

A MONSTER, in every sense of the word.

Short-lived, too - the mechanically simplified CD-1a replaced the CD-1 very quickly, parting with the 2nd motorized drawer that was strictly dedicated to programming : the CD-1 had two completely separated displays and attendant buttons, one for play, one for programmed play !
Even better : there's an output balance ring, under the player, below the front.

A true pain to dismantle and gain access to any of the parts (let alone the motors), the CD-1 was not meant to be serviced :-)
It was, however, the top player of the 1st generation in Japan, alongwith the Sony CDP-701ES. A successful fate the CD-1a and (very different) CD-2 both inherited, gaining respectively the "Component of the Year" and "Best product" awards in 1984 !

Dual 16bit DACs, 14kg on the balance, an amazingly complex disc-drawer arrangements, classy looks almost second-to-none the CD-1 is however extremely finicky to adjust.
Two manuals are necessary, one of which is essential : "Mechanical Adjustments" ; I own both but I won't even try to get mine to play CDs again - I'd need first to un-stuck the program drawer and that requires a complete dismantling :-)

The digital-to-analogue ICs are Sony's original 16bit CX-890 DAC ; the rest of the audio-related chips btw is mostly Sony-sourced : CX-7933, CX-7934, CX-7935...

The CD-1 is a magnificent object, if in a somewhat blunt way. If only it could be more reliable !

The total production run should be around 7000 units ; the #05332 rolled out of the assembly on october 1983.


Nudies aplenty here and here.