Sony CDP-701 (circa 1983)
The Sony CDP-701 was the top of Sony's early Compact Disc player line. Its successors were measured against it. An Audio (November 1984, p.91) review of the later CDP-610ES noted that the 701 was the top-of-the-line player, introduced well over a year earlier and priced considerably higher. It sold for $1,500.00 when profiled in September 1983.
Most of what survives is that Audio equipment profile. The manufacturer's specs listed frequency response of 5 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB, S/N of 95 dB, channel separation of 90 dB, harmonic distortion of 0.003% at 1 kHz, unmeasurable wow and flutter, and a 2.0 V rms output. The review noted that a newer Sony player had moved to double decoding for better channel separation. The older CDP-701 still measured 80 dB, which was nothing to be ashamed of. The chassis measured 16.93 × 4.13 × 15.08 inches, weighed 25.3 lbs, and drew 32 watts.
Reviewers also praised the error correction. It played through the standard simulated-dust black dots with no muting. The repeat facilities were unusually flexible for the day: a single track, the entire disc, or a designated A-B passage, plus a reset button that returned the laser pickup to rest. One Audio (September 1983, p.56) reviewer said the track-location and scanning features were especially welcome, and no dislikes came to mind.
Little else is recorded. No service documentation, production figures, or later revisions have surfaced in the archive's sources.
- Type: Compact Disc player
- Price: $1,500.00
- Frequency response: 5 Hz–20 kHz ±0.5 dB
- S/N: 95 dB (spec); channel separation measured ~80 dB
- THD: 0.003% at 1 kHz; output 2.0 V rms
- Dimensions: 16.93 × 4.13 × 15.08 in (43.0 × 10.5 × 38.3 cm); 25.3 lb (11.5 kg)
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