Toshiba XR-V22 (c. 1985–1986)
The Toshiba XR-V22 (filed here under the archive's XRV-22 spelling) was a dual-tray CD player from the mid-1980s. Audio (April 1986, p.101) said it did a double take when unpacking the player. Toshiba had taken a cue from the double-well cassette deck and built a CD player that could load two discs and play them successively, or play selected tracks from the first disc followed by selected tracks from the second. As the magazine noted, if dual turntables let you segue between records, this let you do something similar with CDs, without touching the machine between discs.
That feature set it apart. At the time, Audio observed (September 1985, p.30), many CD players were "me too" models supplied OEM by a few makers, and manufacturers were looking for alternative styling or features to distinguish themselves from the pack. The XR-V22's twin trays were that kind of differentiator.
The Audio Equipment Profile (April 1986, p.100) listed the full specs: frequency response 5 Hz–20 kHz ±0.5 dB, total harmonic distortion 0.003%, dynamic range 96 dB, channel separation 90 dB, line output 2.0 V, and 30 programmable selections (15 per tray). It drew 22 watts, measured 13.4 × 4.3 × 14.25 inches, weighed 13.64 lbs, and cost $499. HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers (October 1985, p.41) ran a lab report by Julian Hirsch and noted that high-numbered tracks — up to 99 — were easy to reach by holding a search key and the appropriate play button simultaneously.
Beyond that press coverage, little is documented about the XR-V22. No manual, service literature, or sales figures are known to the Archive.
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