Do You Remember Your First CD Player?

Mission PCM-7000. I thought I had hit digital nirvana. Problem was, digital nirvana was pretty bad at that time! Time and again, side by side comparisons with my far less expensive AR turntable showed just how much my expensive CD player was lacking.

Years later of course, digital has greatly improved. Better than the best vinyl set-up? Not yet.

I also purchased a Sony CDP 101 way back in 1983. However, unlike you I thought it was a quantum leap over turntables (Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference, SME 3009 and Shure V15 mk IV) and LPs. I never looked back. I also thought the CDP 101 looked great!

Now I am older and wiser (?), I have to admit, there was something magical about the old analogue sound. For instance, Dire Straits Telegraph road was simply wonerful (IMHO) on vinyl. I now have 2 CD versions, neither of which capture the fantastic sound I remember on vinyl. Is this a fact or simply old age creeping up on me?

My first CD player? In 2001 I bought a used Rega Planet. Yeah I guess you could say I held out and waited a while..

Yep! Mine was a Meridian 206B. Still have it and it is used regularly. Not as good as my vinyl front-end Platine Verdier, Allaerts MC1B and Schroeder model 2. However, still pretty musical and reliable.

An NAD 502(?) in 1985. Reasonably mediocre, but more listenable than most available at the time. I agree with Art Dudley, there are no classic early CD players.