Aurex XR-81 (1981) | Prototype
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Aurex's Digital Audio Disc (DAD) player was based on the compact disc (CD) format. Behind the development of DAD, such as dedicated LSI, semiconductor laser diode, and laser pickup, was Toshiba's 100-year history and comprehensive technical capabilities such as communication technology, material technology, and production technology that have been cultivated in various fields during that time. It was developed based on the accumulated digital audio technology of Aurex/Toshiba, which began with the development of PCM processors. It is an optical DAD player using the CD method, and is a high-performance, compact, and easy to operate audio component for the future. The XR-81 incorpoartaed the TOPH 15 optical pickup head fitted with the TOLD 30/40 laser diodes. The partial type autoloading method makes it quick and easy to load the disc. It feels the same as loading a cassette deck. The front loading and front operation allow for easy stacking with other component devices. The auto search system provides accurate and fast track cues (average access time 3 seconds)...All this effort and a dedicated Japanese brochure for a model that was nothing but a prototype. However, this was actually the basis of the commercially available XR-Z90, one of the first CD players to reach the market.
DUAL CD 110 (1982) | Prototype
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From the short Dual advert: "The Technology of the Future. PCM technology leads to unprecedented sound quality with high dynamics, excellent frequency response, high crosstalk attenuation, and unmeasurable sound distortions." One can clearly see that this was basically a Philips CD player with a unique Grundig design.
PIONEER P-D1 (1982)
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Before the introduction of the CD player all major manufacturers were working on PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio players for both disc and compact cassette format. Such a model was the DAD 1516 prototype presented by Pioneer in 1982. This PCM-DAD (Digital Audio Disc) was meant to have 4 channels but the standardization of the Sony-Philips Compact Disc meant that Pioneer had to follow the new standard. As one can see, the P-D1 (the first CD player from Pioneer) kept the original design idea of the prototype with vertical loading disc. Some of the early promotional materials still show a demo disc labelled as DAD (Digital Audio Disc) even though this was a Compact Disc format. The P-D1 features Burr-Brown 16-Bit monolithic DAC and Toshiba OPH-31 laser block. Dimensions: 420x140x330 mm | Weight: 12.1kg | Original sale price: 2500 DM in Germany.
PIONEER P-D70 (1983)
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Pioneer bring the miracle of LaserDisc™ technology to the new P-D70 Compact Disc player. Now, many of the revolutionary laser-optic and digital electronic techniques first developed for the sensational LaserDisc™ brand videodisc systems are yours to enjoy in the P-D70 Compact Disc player from 1983. Your favourite music is permanently stored in digital form on a pocket-sized disc enabling the total beauty and excitement of a live performance to be re-created in your home. Here's how Pioneer does it: 3-spot laser beam with three sophisticated servo systems. Focus parallel drive servo to improve sensitivity and quick search. High-quality audio-use components and a new LSI for better sound. Convenient search and random access put the fun in hi-fi. This is a second generation CD player developed by taking advantage of optical technology cultivated in laser discs and the latest digital technology. It is equipped with Pioneer's in-house developed pickup utilizing the know-how accumulated in the development of optical video disc players. The pickup drive employs a focus parallel drive mechanism in which multiple magnetic circuits and multiple coils are placed in a straight line between objective lenses. This increases the sensitivity of the drive system and enables high-precision and high-speed search. The signal processing circuit is equipped with a newly developed LSI consisting of two chips, which greatly contributes to miniaturization and low power consumption, and realizes stable disk rotation control. The analog section is equipped with a newly developed 11th-order low-pass filter enclosed in a copper cap. High-performance parts such as high-sound resistance for high-wage audio equipment, polypropylene and mica capacitors, and 70 μ m copper foil printed circuit board are used. The display uses a pure digital signal display monitor with binary display and peak display. In binary mode, the change in the upper 12 bits of the 16-bit PCM signal read from the disk except for the sign bit is directly displayed. Since each bit has a weight of 6 dB, it is possible to see a signal level change of 72 dB (-54dB to + 18 dB). When the level meter switch is switched to the peak mode, a peak meter of 4 dB per dot is used for differential operation. The display range is -32dB to + 12 dB. Subcode output terminal (eventually never implemented) and wired remote control terminal are mounted at the back of the unit.
SHARP DX-500H (1984)
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A masterpiece of advanced digital audio design, the Sharp DX-500 compact disc digital audio player. Remarkable music precision and stunning operational sophistication are combined in one streamlined unit. A DC servo amplifier is used for the analogue part of the audio system and an aluminium die cast chassis is used for the mechanism to ensure high quality sound and stable playback. The pick-up of the player requires pinpoint precision to read each tiny signal accurately. The DX-500H is equipped with advanced, high-performance semiconductor laser diode technology sourced from Toshiba. Size (WxHxD) 330x104x345mm | Weight 8.5kg
Technics SL-P10 (1983)
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The P10 was the pinnacle of the first generation of Technics CD players, incorporating all of Technics's advanced technological capabilities in the pursuit of perfection in both sound quality and operability. In addition to the excellent sound quality achieved through refined fidelity, it also offers a full range of operational functions, including a random access program function with up to 63 steps, and a large FL display that combines bar graph and digital displays. It boasts high quality worthy of its title as the pinnacle of quality. The photodetector and other components are housed in a precision die-cast aluminum one-piece body. Its robust structure ensures high reliability. The actuator in particular makes maximum use of Technics' cartridge technology. Unique structures such as twin parallel suspension achieve smooth and accurate focus and tracking servo. Furthermore, in the P10, a specially developed ultra-compact D.D. motor drives the turntable. These optical and mechanical blocks are also integrated with high precision into an aluminum die-cast chassis. By configuring it as an "Optical Deck Unit," it ensures unwavering overall precision and high performance. In developing the P10, Technics spared no effort in developing new components, thoroughly pursuing high precision and high performance. This also applies to the electronic circuits. By developing four types of dedicated LSI and eight types of IC, the circuitry has been converted almost entirely into LSI and IC. The digital signal processing circuit, which is the main circuit, has been successfully converted into 100% integrated. D/A conversion is performed by a 16-bit D/A converter using a unique manufacturing process that achieves ultra-high precision and high performance with nonlinear distortion of ±0.002%. This is the most important device that determines the sound quality of a CD player. The P10's D/A converter is committed to high fidelity, bringing out all the charm of CD sound. The display clearly shows just how thorough the pursuit of perfection has been with the P10. It has a bar graph display and a digital display, but what is particularly noteworthy is the three-row bar graph display. Random access program function with overwhelming memory capacity allows you to enjoy reservation play of up to 63 steps by 10 key operation. You can specify not only the song number but also the time (minutes and seconds). You can freely specify the start and end of play with 1 second accuracy. In addition, auto repeat play is also possible. When first presented in a Technics brochure the model name was actually SQ-CD10 but by the time production started it was renamed as SL-P10 and it was available in black and silver. Size (WxHxD): 430x133x315 | Weight: 10kg
YAMAHA CD-1 (1982)
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Yamaha released its first CD Player, the CD-1 in 1982, just after the birth of the CD. Designed with Yamaha's own aesthetics of sound and appearance. Its groundbreaking features included a slide-out disc loading drive mechanism rather than tray-loading, component-style front controls, a mirror that let you see the recorded side of the spinning disc, and an LED bar graph that showed the approximate position of the pickup. For an era familiar only with the analog record, it was probably a natural assumption that the disc and pickup were meant to be seen during play. The choices for a main device were still limited, but this unit straightforwardly emphasized the "sonic difference" with linear 16-bit twin D/A converters and separate power supplies for the digital and analog elements, and laid claim to technical uniqueness with a custom IC developed in-house at the heart of its control system. Is it true that all digital sounds are the same? Even if you're not a music enthusiast, you know how important a high level balance between the music source and the playback device is to the sound. In other words, it's a very obvious conclusion that the best music source is the best playback device. If that's the case, while fully acknowledging the potential of CDs as music sources (or rather, because of that!), I would like to overturn the trivial rumor about CD players that all digital sounds are the same! The Yamaha CD-1. A black beauty that fully traces the extraordinary amount of music information of CDs. It conquers the sound of CDs with the very Yamaha style. The first condition for being as CD-like Hi-Fi as possible: Just 0.8 microns, each countless pit is a fountain of new music! Since it is the lifeblood of the CD sound, ultra-precise tracing capabilities were first necessary. The CD-1 employs a double error correction circuit that strictly returns the signal to its original state even if a large number of errors occur in the detection signal. Combined with the adoption of a servo system with excellent tracking performance, this is a thorough pickup section for sound. In order to accurately demodulate digital to analog stereo signals, the CD-1 uses a 16-bit linear conversion method for the D/A converter and a unique twin configuration. This means that the distribution of L and R is digitally processed, and there is no need to switch analog signals, so music unique to CDs is reproduced to the fullest.
