Has anyone had on of these CD players? How good are they?


Are the older Sony CD players very good? Even as just a transport paired with a good/great DAC?

CDP-X7ESD. CDP-507ESD or CDP-X707ES

Your thoughts?

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I have a 608 ESD purchased new in 1989 that still works flawlessly.  I also have an X77 ES that I believe is circa 1992 which I purchased used some 20 years ago for $350 that is used primarily as a transport which also works flawlessly.  I also have the flagship X7ESD from 1989 which has developed an issue whereby the sound intermittently stops although it appears the laser is still operable as the track readout continues.  
I agree with bgross in regards to the sound quality of the 608 ESD.  It is still used as a stand alone player in a second system.

I appreciate the build and material quality of these players.  How long they ultimately last is any one’s guess.  Looks like I might find out unless I die first.

 

They were fantastic. I had a 507. But they are now quite old and repairs are nearly impossible, and so very risky to purchase for a main system. If you're putting together a vintage system, great.

I was given an old PS Audio transport with a drawer that wouldn't open. But I was familiar with the sled it used (9Pro) and replaced the teflon gear that gets chewed up over time on all of them. Just one of the adventures you can look forward to!

Have fun!

i've also had good experience with 90's era sony es cdps (i still use a 79es and used to have the 777es, which i never should have sold); even if the lasers (or more typically the belts) go bad, you can find replacements on ebay and the repairs are pretty simple.

If you can get it for say $300 CDN or less, go for it. If any more I'd definitely recommend the AudioLab 6000CDT. Not a lot of money (got mine used for $550 CDN) and its wonderful, and new/current. No built in DAC so transport only focused on power supply and simple uncluttered design for max sound quality. You want a transport so,,,,,,,,,

+++ Audiolab 6000CDT, blows my old standby Onkyo C-7030 away. Running it through a Denafrips Pontus II DAC.....amazingly adept at delivering sonic improvements across the board