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Personal CD Players (and DAPs) through the ages ~ A Review - Updated 04/17/2006
Featured Full Portable Audio ReviewsIn this area, the moderator/admins will place reviews and copies of reviews by members that could be considered full-length (magazine-article-length) reviews.
Personal CD Players (and DAPs) through the ages ~ A Review - Updated 04/17/2006
As Promised, here is my seemingly long awaited comparison of quite a few of the 'classic' Discmen that us old school player collectors seem to crave so badly... This review incorporates both headphone, and line out usage, basic functionality, build quality and portability into its results.
Foreword
As many people here are aware, there are a seemingly growing number of people who scour ebay looking for older personal CD players… These players are from as far back as 1984 all the way through to the last great players from 1998… Their value now in some cases exceeds their original retail cost.
Is there a reason for this? Well, yes and no. The older players had a tendency to place sound quality before portability or practicality, even though ultimately there is only a very small number of these players that can match even budget full sized CD players in terms of sheer sonic ability…
Then again, for those of us that don’t have ‘golden ears’, or for those of us for whom space is too tight to mention, one of these older players, when used as a deskbound player could well bring hours, if not years of happy listening!
Update – April 2006
I thought I’d bring the review slightly more up to date – I’ve tidied up some parts that were missing, and am including the Sony D303 and D321 Discmen, also – for the first time, I’ll be adding the (5G) iPod. This is a very contentious issue – Do DAPs equal the old school Discmen, and whilst I won’t necessarily be answering this question, what I will be doing is throwing some light on if moving on to a DAP will be a up/downgrade when used in the portable environment.
On with the review……….
Equipment Used:
Sources:
Sony D5 / D50
Sony D88
Sony D2 / D20
Sony D555
Sony D25S
Sony D11
Sony D303*
Sony D111
Sony D211
Sony D311
Sony D515
Philips AZ6832
Sony D141
Sony D151
Sony D321*
Optimus CD3400
Sony D231
Sony D777
Sony D465
Sony D-E905
Sony D-EJ1000
Apple iPod (5G – 60GB)*
Amplification:
Creek OBH-21SE
Full Spec ‘META42’ (using Burr Brown OPA627 Op-Amps)
ANT “Amber”
(Connected to the units by a 'generic' $10 3.5mm-two RCA cable)
Headphones:
Sony MDR-CD1700 & Grado RS1(Amplified 'Line-Out' Use)
Sony MDR-D66SL 'Eggos', Koss KSC-35 & Sennheiser PX250 (Headphone Out Use)
Music
S-Club 7 ~ Reach... Brit pop at its worst, but what a lot of people listen to...
Tori Amos ~ In Your Cloud - A nice breathy mix, typical of Ms Amos
More Music From The Motion Picture 'Gladiator' ~ Homecoming - Mostly instrumental piece that starts off quite gently, but moves on to a huge roaring crescendo
Pink Floyd ~ Dark Side of the Moon (MFSL edition) – You probably cannot get too much better from a CD, lush, warm, powerful – Great!
*With the addition of the D303, D321 and iPod, I have compared them all my personal baseline player (the Sony D211) and compared from there, hence allowing me to use difference source material (and save my sanity from having to listen to S-Club 7 over and over again!!) using Sennheiser PX250 for both headphone and line outputs (with the ANT “Amber”). This might appear slightly non-contiguous in the general flow of the review, but this does not affect the outcomes.
…And on with the review…
Key To Ratings
I am giving all players facilities here a star rating for what I can perceive as their value to the sound / functionality of the players…
***** ~ Forget it, this is just plain junk – avoid at all costs! ***** ~ Tolerable in very small doses, but still best avoided ***** ~ Below average – listenable / useable for short periods ***** ~ Average – what you’d expect, but nothing more ***** ~ Pretty damned good – above average and well worth a try. ***** ~ Pretty much top of the tree – what I perceive to be very good with extended use ***** ~ A winner! – sterling performance – one of the elite!
The Early Years ~ 1984 - 1990
Sony D5 (D50 in Europe and the Far East) (Manufactured 1984)
This isn't technically a Discman, Sony hadn't invented the name 'Discman' at that time... This is Sony’s second ever commercially available player, after the CDP-101 full sized unit, and came in at around $450 way back in 1984... It’s built like a tank, being about as square as a CD jewel case, but being about four deep.
Technically, it is portable, if you have the battery pack to fit onto the back (used 4 'C Cell' batteries, which would last about 2 hours) but the unit has no internal battery (so its either use the additional battery pack, or docking station with wall wart), no shock protection of any description, no sound EQ settings whatsoever, and you can only fast forward / rewind through a track, by changing the mode of the player from ‘AMS’ to ‘Search’... this unit really is a bare bones player from a technical point of view, but we mustn't forget that this was only Sony's first ever venture into making CD players smaller...
Button layout is very minimal, as is the display on the unit, although you can find out how much CD playtime is left by holding down a 'Remain' button, which for its day is a pretty cool feature... apart from that button count is very limited, with Play / Pause, < & > (Track Skip), Stop, and 'Mode' which has some very basic programming options...
Its greatest asset to me, is the amount of volume this unit can push out... I don't have any proper measurements, but it can go louder (if you're insane enough to do the same) than my META42 portable amp!
On the downside though, this players motor (and accompanying wall wart) run very hot with prolonged use, I would strongly advise for this player to be used on a hard surface (table top) rather than say... a bed, just to avoid any potential melt-downs
Power Requirements:
Internal Battery: Not Applicable
External Battery: 4 x C Cell batteries
Mains Power: 9v docking station (9v jack, centre negative)
Main Features
Headphone out power : Undetermined, but VERY loud.
Volume Control: Analogue, rotary
Line Out Options : 3.5mm jack plug if not using docking station, else RCA jacks
Bass Boost: Non Applicable
Disc Retaining method: Overhead Clamp (in the lid)
MultiBit DAC (Brick Wall Filter)
Current Availability: Limited to die-hard fans here on head-fi, and EBay ~ finding a fully working unit is getting harder to do, purely for the age of them - Expect to pay between $50 ~ $100 for a good condition unit
Headphone Output
Wow! - That was the first word that entered my head when I heard this unit a week ago... Something so old shouldn't sound so good, what with old-school DACs, and original lasers (that if you even breathed on them, they broke) and the like... Using the D66 Eggos is a pure revelation!
In operation, this unit is perfectly silent, what you hear is literally what is on the CD, there are no added artefacts like volume hiss, or being able to hear the unit processing commands (a series of squeals and pops can be heard on some units, when you press a button) ~ It appears that Sony were really out to impress with this unit, and eighteen, maybe even nineteen years on, they've done just that... with me!
Listening to S-Club 7s 'Reach', there is a nice punchy bass, with instruments placed on top with a seemingly incredible amount of separation, and clarity... and the vocals, Hmm Hmm, these little Eggos really do sound like full sized 'phones, this is one incredibly deceiving unit!
Moving to a much slower track, Tori Amos 'In Your Cloud', the instruments are placed deliciously around the headspace, you really do get the impression that Tori is stood in front of the other band members, with some of them stage left, and with the piano being closer, and to the right, and her vocals are so sultry... again, these little Eggos are showing themselves as true, full sized headphones in a small package... true, Tori's vocals aren't the last word in ultimate realism, but that improves dramatically when going up to the Sony CD1700s, so to me is more of a deficiency of the D66 than of the D50 player
Finally, moving to 'More Music From The Motion Picture Gladiator', Track 4, Homecoming... I'm at a total loss for words, this really isn't supposed to sound this good! - huge grinding bass notes replayed with impact, and yet at the same time delicacy, guitars that are plucked but with an air that is more appropriate for a full sized player... The movie inserts aren't of the best sound quality, but I think that could be mastering quality rather than playback, as the music around them sounds very clear, punchy, and concise... also, this is the only player that I’ve heard so far that can reproduce the crescendo at 3:05 cleanly through the headphone out!
Other members here have commented that this player has a bright treble, I must confess that there is a subtle hint of sibilance on certain tracks (seemingly, more often than not modern 'pop' songs), but that is certainly not enough to detract from the unit, and other instruments appear to be in place, and not splashy ~ on this brief comparison, the S-Club song did exhibit small traces of sibilance, whereas neither Gladiator, or Tori did... So I put the perceived brightness down to recording quality (or lack of it) but what people are hearing with this player is treble extension... something completely different, and highly sort after!
Line Out Output
The first thing that must be noted with the D5, before any ‘review’ gets underway is that it has a much louder output (read that as full sized unit level) than any of the other Discmen here
If the D50 is starting out how the line out comparison means to go on, then I’m highly impressed already! The bouncy S-Club 7 tune has a perfect weight to the bass, sounding amazingly controlled, the midrange, whilst certainly not being classed as rich ~ I would say is well defined, and above all accurate, the vocals do not offend in any way, and the treble is well in check, sounding sparkling, and clean... Separation isn't as good as through the D311s headphone output, but it is certainly acceptable enough, placing instruments in their place with ease, its just that very final "I can hear every instrument separately" factor that is missing, but apart from that, a highly enjoyable listen, one that I'm glad to have had the chance to do...
Tori's voice sounds totally captivating through the D50s line out, closing your eyes, you can imagine the sultry songstress to be placed about three feet in front of you, singing her ballad - especially the last word she sings... "Cloooooud", oh wow, that’s good! with the piano player just behind her, the soundstage seems much improved on this track than on the S-Club one, positioning is far improved (CD mastering quality issues??)... The bass is once again kept in check nicely, making this a nice warm listen... Age does not hold this player back, easily to my ears competing with my full sized, current spec CDP-XE570 deck, non-fatiguing is how I’d describe the sound... maybe not the last word in speed, but it is so delicate, so smooth... how could you want for more?
The first word that hits me when once again, when listening to the Gladiator sound track is 'Clarity', the bass notes sound superbly crisp, and detailed, in actual fact, that’s wrong, the whole frequency range is crystal clear, there is none of the 'exaggerated treble' that is sometimes apparent through the headphone output, even though this player is as old as they get, it is astounding me with its clarity, depth, soundstage, speed... This player really must have been groundbreaking in its day, seeing that even now, it still does not sound out of place when driving modern headphones, and a modern amplifier... If you want aggression, and attack out of your sound, this probably isn't the player for you, but if you want amazing clarity, with a superb quality bass... I heartily recommend this unit!
Only the occasionally noted grainy treble through the headphone out, and the complete lack of portability stops this being a giant killer!
Sony D88 (Manufactured 1988)
This is almost definitely one of the smallest Discman ever made, with quite possibly only the D82 being smaller (as it doesn’t have provision for 12cm CDs). Regardless, without the additional battery pack bolted on the top, this unit measures 95mm x 95mm, substantially smaller than a CD jewel case… even with the battery pack added, this only manes the unit 120mm in length.. a modern marvel from olden times! – In terms of height, this player measures in at a tiny amount less than 3 jewel cases tall… how did Sony cram all the goodies into this player??
In terms of functionality, there is the very barest of features on this player, with just play / pause, track access, and repeat buttons – along with a hold toggle, and the volume control. So playback functionality is kept to an absolute minimum. Another thing to not is that the LCD does not show track time – only track number along with the repeat ‘flag’, battery icon, and track access markers, nothing more… again, very basic!
In terms of overall construction, this unit feels bomb-proof, only the fact that half of the lid is missing (to allow 12cm CDs to play) stops this from having any loose fixings whatsoever, the clamp force of the lid itself is very strong, but be warned, there is no ‘Push’ button here, you just pull on the lid for it to open… which can be done even when the disc is spinning around!
The key thing to note with this player is on the underside, that there is a lever to allow you to move the pick-up motor from the (standard) 8cm CD position to that of 12cm. This is best done with the lid shut, so then it also moves the clamp / puck in the lid into the correct position ready for playback, as if the motor is in one position, and the clamp, in the other, the disc will not spin!
Whilst playing back with 12cm discs, about 1/3 of the CD is exposed, so it is essential that this player is used on a surface where nothing can touch the CD, as the slightest little touch stops playback, although that is where the pleasther pouch that was supplied with this Discman comes in handy, as inside it has a hard plastic holder for the Discman to sit in that has dips, and cuts in all the right places for you to plug in your headphones, power adapter, and allow the (oversized) CDs to spin quite happily.
Power Requirements:
Internal Battery : Non Applicable
External Battery Pack: 4v, 500mah Battery: BP2, Battery life undetermined
Mains: 9v jack, Centre Negative
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 32ohms
Volume Control: Rotary, on the player
Line Output: Non Applicable
Bass Boost: Non Applicable
Disc Retaining method: Overhead Clamp (in the lid) – moveable to cater for both 8cm and 12cm CDs
multibit DAC (oversampling method unknown)
Extra Features
Remote Control ready (via 3.5mm Jack)
Faux leather case, with plastic insert capable of holding the player whilst in use – even if using regular CDs.
Two power inlets, one on the unit only, and one on the battery pack, either of which can power the player
Current Availability : Not seen very often on ebay, but when it comes up be prepared for a bidding war, whilst its not the most practical player on the planet, it has quite a high gimmick / collectability value, which ensures that it normally commands quite a high price!
Headphone Out Output
S-Club start off happily enough, bass is punchy, and tight making the track bounce along nicely, midrange ~ whilst not very strong – is good enough for you to not feel there is a void in the sound, and the treble, whilst being a little brighter than some would like, I feel is still within tolerable limits, adding a nice little zing to this pop based track. Soundstage is clear, and easy to feel, and pinpoint where the instruments are. The finger clicking and tambourine banging is clear to hear constantly throughout the track, front left. The overall speed / attack that is felt with the best players of this review is sadly lacking, but unless you’ve actually heard the likes of the D211 and D311, or have a high quality home based CD player, you’re unlikely to know what is missing in my honest opinion.
Tori Amos’ track starts off with a nice rolling bass that is only known on some of the higher end players here, along with the highly developed soundstage that this track offers, it is frightfully easy to hear the piano about three feet in front of you in your virtual headspace, with Tori’s vocals being very much more in front of them, barely inches from your ears. The cymbal that is played continually through this track is also well defined, and positioned with ease in the virtual headscape. The vocals of this track sound lush, warm and intimate, whilst the treble allows detail to spring forth, but not at the expense of shrillness. This plucky little player really knows what its doing with this track!
Straight away the Gladiator track reveals what I think is one of this players strong points, soundstage! The vast rolling nature of this track is lain before you on a very wide scale, there is virtually no feeling of this track being stuck in your head, as is all to often the case with headphone related music, it really is impressive, and makes straight away for a great listen. The bass rolls along quite merrily, and is weighted very well considering that there is no provision for sound shaping on this unit. Once the intro calms down, and the film vocals come into the mix, they are held very much in the centre of the sound stage with instruments swirling all around. The Spanish guitar sounds delicate and clear, you can almost see the pluckers fingers moving swiftly over the strings when you close your eyes. As is all too common, the crescendo comes with quite a large amount of authority, yet doesn’t seem to let go. A thoroughly enjoyable listen!
Line Out Output
There is no line out on this player, so this section is not relevant...
Personal Rating
Headphone Output : *****
Line Output : Non Applicable for this player.
Build Quality : *****
Portability : *****
Overall Rating : *****
This Discman really is for the serious collector only. Sure, it’ll play your regular CDs, and will amuse your friends watching their favourite CDs spinning outside of the player, but it is of virtually zero practical use, especially with it not having a line out…Relatively good sound quality does come out of the headphone out, but there is better out there!
Sony D2 (D20 in Europe and the Far East) (Manufactured 1989)
My sample player that came through had faulty outputs, one side being much louder than the other - I believe it to be a pot tracking issue, but was never able to fix it. The player, from what I could hear had a warm, lush, maybe slickly so sound - Great potentially for vocals where intimacy is required, but overall probably a little slow for more up tempo music - To my ears it is not worth acquiring another player to add it into this review.
Sony D555 (Manufactured 1989)
Now the fun begins... coming into the equation in 1989 was the flagship D555 (sometimes referred to as D-Z555), this unit is absolutely laden with features, two backlit LCDs, one that contains a peak level meter / Graphic EQ, and the other that shows you track / programming information... There is (for the first time) a digital volume control, a 10 stage bass boost, 10 stage - 5 band graphic EQ, 10 stage DDS (Digital Dynamic Sound - (increases low level detail, making the sound more powerful), and a 10 stage 'Surround Sound' feature
Build quality is sublime, as you'd expect from a unit of this era, it gives you a feeling that you could take it to hell and back, and it would still look as new... Metal construction throughout, exactly the same width and length as a CD jewel case, and just under three deep, although it doesn't appear to be as heavy as would be indicated by its size.
The button count on this unit is high, at 14 (including the eject button), there is also an optional remote control unit, but at this time I cannot offer any insight into its capabilities...
All sound altering functions are completed with four buttons on top of the unit, Mode selects which option you would like to change (Cycles between: EQ -> Surround -> Bass Boost -> DDS -> Off) and only one of these options can be implemented at any one time, so you can't EQ your DDS or anything like that... The volume buttons are the largest buttons on the unit, near to the LCD on the lid, so I have a feeling that Sony was showcasing the digital control on this unit, also you have the obligatory track access / scan, play / pause and stop buttons on the top of the unit, and then on the front you have the programming buttons, also a 'remain' button which toggles between track time elapsed, track time remaining, and disc time remaining... Very clever stuff for the time!
Power Requirements:
Internal 4v, 600mah Battery: BP2EX, 2 hours playback from 3 hours of charge time (if battery still operational)
Battery life undetermined
External Battery Pack: Non applicable
Mains: 9v jack, Centre Negative
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 32ohms
Volume Control: Digital
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: 10 stage - variable, digitally controlled
Disc Retaining method: Overhead Clamp (in the lid)
8 Times oversampling multibit DAC
Extra Features
DDS Output: 10 stages - variable, digitally controlled - boosts quiet sounds to make the sound more 'even'
5 band Graphic Equaliser: 63hz, 250hz, 1khz, 4khz, and 10khz - 10 stages, digitally controlled
Surround Sound: 10 stage - variable, digitally controlled EQ Demo Mode: Hold down 'Mode', and then press 'EQ' and effect '+' and '-' at the same time for the player to cycle through the various different modes available
Peak Level Meters: 10 stage, current level and peak levels shown, two displays per channel
Optical Output: Toslink
Backlit Display: (only when powered by an AC adapter) - Orange
Current Availability: THE gadget lovers Discman, this just has everything you'd ever want on a Discman, a rare unit, as it is now 15 years old, EBay is the most likely place to find one, and even there you can expect to pay up to, if not beyond $200, due to their cult following
Headphone Ouptut
The very first thing I noticed with this player on the S-Club track was the soundstage... very wide, and very clearly defined ~ The bass certainly isn't the most prominent amongst the group, but neither is it found to be immediately lacking. Vocals sound very nice, richly defined and convincing and the treble is kept nicely in touch with the rest of this pop based mix without sounding shrill or harsh... a very finely etched middle path is where this player takes you. With this track, that isn't maybe the most exciting path to take, but it is certainly a dependable one... one that won't lead to unwanted sonic blemishes entering into the equation!
The soundstage is immediately apparent on Tori Amos’ track, placing the drum deliciously over to front left within the soundscape, with the vocals positioned right in the centre, considerably closer to the listener. There is not one single part of this track that offends your ears. The bass is perfectly in proportion, sounding punchy and tight, the vocals ~ heaven… I didn’t realise before this review got underway just how good vocals could sound through portable equipment. Airy, close miked, smooth ~ three of many different ways I could term the vocals on this track, yet none of them would be wrong… All portraying the true nature of this track. There isn’t an amazingly large amount of treble on this track, yet this player does not sound dull… It sounds accurate. A very large thumbs up from me for the D555!
The Gladiator track shows how smooth this player can sound, with very little aggression shown throughout, a relaxing listen. The movie excerpts sound the best that I have heard through any of the Discmen… Period, the D555 wins this particular part of the test with ease! The midrange in general is awesome, whilst being a shade too warm for ultimate clarity… It really livens the sound up, adds an air of life that isn’t apparent on any of the other players. The Spanish guitar sounds awesomely clear, and is heard with ease even with the bass notes going on all around.
The final crescendo is also handled with amazing grace, due to this being a smooth sounding player. No fear of distortion setting in here when things get heavy. Again it has to be noted that the treble is lacking when compared to some of the other units here, but this does not affect the enjoyment of listening to music with this player!
Line Out Output
Musicality... That is what the line output of the D555 is all about! The bass of the S-Club track bounces along very quickly, never feeling bloated, or out of control ~ very in check! Soundstage, as with the headphone out is clearly etched into the sonic mix, sounding convincing, yet not overbearing... a nice smooth sound is what you can expect from this players line output. Vocals have an added sense of realism over that of the headphone output, this is inoffensive listening at its very best... Highly recommended for this droll brit-pop sound ~ The D555 makes this track sound good!
The bass on the Tori Amos track sounds very raspy – not as refined to my ears as through the headphone out which really is very impressive for this track, and Tori’s vocals are bordering on too overpowering – sounding a shade too close miked for comfort ~ This is only within the context of being compared to the very best players here though, and is not necessarily a fault of the D555, just that to my ears the midrange is portrayed slightly too richly on this track. Treble is perfectly defined though, which brings the player back from the brink of getting a negative mark here. Soundstage is also, as should now be expected from an older player, well defined and sharply placed… Not a perfect track to show what the D555 can do through its lineout…
This player has me more confused than any other here, how the line out can sound so different from the headphone out. Whilst the headphone out shows how delicate bass can sound, the line out throws it at you full force…. You’re on a roller-coaster ride with this player! This isn’t a bad thing to my ears for the Gladiator track as the air of urgency is once again laid open plainly for all to hear. The vocal excerpts do not sound as crisp, as clear, as lifelike as those from the headphone output, but are still well within the confines of all other players tested. Treble is again shy, but not to the point of coloring the sound, instead keeping all musical instruments nicely portrayed, sharply etched. The Spanish guitar sounds very convincing and are easily heard over the huge rolling bass-lines that lead up to the crescendo at the end of the track, which is handled with the least amount of bloom of any of the players tested… I’m puzzled by that, how a bassy player can keep the largest of bass well in check. However the Sony technicians wired up this unit, they did it pretty much just right, especially considering the limited nature of equipment they had back then! – Well done Sony!
Even though the outputs are highly impressive, The D555 doesn't have that final edge with its line out to take it up to the level of the D311, and could be classed as a little too polite for general music listening through its headphone output (if we’re being hyper critical, even though I personally do like it) ~ if it wasn't for that, this player would get a full five out of five as an overall rating!
Sony D25S (Manufactured 1989)
Much has already been said about this player that suddenly re-appeared in large volumes from Silicon Salvage, I’ll surmise here as I’m sure you’re all more than well aware of this players features…
First off though, I must confess that its smaller, and lighter than I thought it would be, even though it is undoubtedly has a full metal body (even the battery cover is made of metal!). It has a little window cut into the metalwork so that you can see the CD spinning, and has an almost identical opening mechanism to that of the D555.
The playback buttons are nicely recessed, being barely visible above the lines of the player, and the programming / display buttons are not that much more exposed. As has been mentioned elsewhere, this player oozes quality with its physical appearance.
The LCD is mounted vertically on the front side of the player, and shows track information and battery performance (if you have a working BP2EX in any case). The LCD is lit by what I would call an amber glow, it is more of a yellowy color than that of the D555, and also does not look so clean, you can definitely see where the LED glow eminates from, and it is also watered down from the vibrancy of the D555s output.
There is no anti-shock, or DSP of any description on this unit, if you don’t like the sound? Tough! Learn to live with it, or buy another player! Simplistic to the extreme, this is the only player I currently have (except for the D50) that has so few features ~ Good for those that favour minimalism over functionality.
On the lid of the unit it proclaims to have ‘4 times oversampling’ which is a reduction in noise shaping from the D555s eight times. A sign that this player is a cheaper sibling to the much higher specified D555 from the same year? Maybe my thoughts on the players sound will tell you, when stacked up against other Discmen (extra especially the D555)
Power Requirements:
Internal 4v, 600mah Battery: BP2EX (if battery still operational)
Battery life undetermined due to dead battery
External Battery Pack: Non applicable
Mains: 9v jack, Centre Negative
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 32ohms
Volume Control: Analog, Rotary
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: Non-Applicable
Disc Retaining method: Overhead Clamp (in the lid)
Backlit Display: (only when powered by an AC adapter) – Amber
4 Times oversampling multibit DAC
Current Availability: This player surfaced about 18 months ago from Silicon Salvage, who are now unfortunately out of stock. This unit often comes up on Head-Fi though, and can be found for $50 or less normally, although to find one that plays CDs perfectly isn’t always an easy thing to do.
Headphone Output
I think I can safely say that this player is not designed for bass-heads, no ~ it’s not a thin sounding player, but it does play on the lighter side of normal. Accurate to the extreme in the bass could be another way to put it. The bass of the S-Club track bounces along quite happily, never in any fear of sounding overblown but showing its presence nonetheless. Vocals sound a little thick, as if the midrange has been overdone on the headphone out, not having the finesse that is called for to make you believe that the artistes are stood in front of you singing this song. Treble seems to be very well controlled (almost to the point of being dark), with instruments placed in the right places within the soundstage, but sounding a little flat, without the final little sparkle that would make the track enjoyable (if an S-Club track could actually be enjoyable??) ~ Realistic, and fun to listen to? Not this player, not with this track anyway
The perceived lack of bass from the first track seems to do the Tori Amos track a favour, the bass having a nice amount of bite yet being restrained. Vocals appear again slightly thick, soupy maybe ~ but with this very soulful tune that isn’t really a bad thing, although it does appear to compress the soundstage a little ~ with the drum that is normally far to the front left being held much more closely to my left ear, and again the lack of treble can be heard here with a lack of sibilance that is TOO overpowering. Even though sibilance is generally regarded as a bad thing, it is an artefact of how people speak or sing, and the removal of that is slightly off-putting. It appears with this player that you can’t switch off from the real word because your brain is trying frantically to replace the missing pieces of the tune…
With the Gladiator track, the soundscape is very crisp, although loses some definition when things get really busy within the track. Bass is again, tight but a little thin although it does punch quite hard at certain times. The seemingly boosted midrange on this player does itself a favour when the film vocals come into the equation, with them sounding natural, and clear ~ although the Spanish guitar sounds overly rich, and not as if its being plucked, morelike being synthesised. When things get busy at the end of the track, the excitement value that is missing from some of the players here is apparent, and you can almost feel a nervous tension grip you as the crescendo hits its peak. This track actually appeared to sound quite good for casual listening, where you want to just switch off… Completely the opposite of my opinion of the Tori Amos track ~ Strange
Line Out Output
Much improved is how I’d describe the S-Club track, the bass is more apparent through the line out, with a crystal clear midrange that makes vocals enjoyable, and a treble that soars up to the upper limits easily, and with a gloriously clear soundscape that is very enjoyable… No, I’m not going to admit bopping along to S-Club, but it was close. This is a good sound ~ one that I could get used to easily
Tori’s voice sounds beautiful through the line out, the reduction in midrange compared to that of the headphone output is easily apparent. Treble is apparent in a subtle yet clear fashion, sounstage is represented accurately with all instruments easily put in their place, and well defined. Again this is a player that I could happily acclimatise to with this genre of music. Bass is also represented in a smooth, easy to listen to manner. This is the kind of sound that could send you gently off to sleep, and you’d wake up in the morning feeling much refreshed. There is nothing apparent here that I can fault this player on with the reproduction of this track!
The Gladiator track sounds flat, almost lifeless on this player. There is nothing there to grab your attention. Don’t get me wrong, everything is placed into the soundstage, but the overall tone is thin, with very little emphasis on the midrange, unlike that from the headphone out. The dynamics are lacking all the way throughout the track, apart from when the Spanish guitar is playing, that does actually sound very nice, but could you justify the use of this player on this track just for about 8 seconds of audio? I don’t think so!
This player appears to be fussy about what it likes to play through the headphone out. It doesn’t give out the energy required to make pop sound enjoyable, but to a certain extent makes ‘classical’ music sound very listenable, yet the tables are reversed through the line out, complimenting simple pop based tracks much more than tracks than complex orchestral pieces – A mixed bag to say the least
Sony D11 (Manufactured 1990)
I’m not too sure about what other Discmen were produced in this year, I have a feeling that the D180K / D800K was also released at this time, seeing that it seems to share the same ‘logic’ within its LCD display, apart from that I have no particular idea if this was a top of the range player or not… Time, and further insight may well allow me to come to a conclusion on this…
A basic unit, having none of the features that can be found further up the ladder. The only feature of note is Sony’s MegaBass, which appears to have started filtering out in this year / vintage. This replaced the ’Bass Boost’ and DDS from players like the D555 (although these two features are still around for a couple more years yet, namely in the D303, D211, D311 and D515)
Size wise, this player is quite a monster, whilst width wise it fits just within the confines of a CD jewel case, the length being a couple of millimetres longer, and the height fitting in at just over three CD cases tall, but a lot of this can be accounted for by the overhead clamp in the lid, and also the provision of space for four AA batteries to be fitted inside… regardless, still a brick in relative terms…
Button count is quite low – seven buttons, and three toggle switches, along with the volume control – One clever idea on this unit is the lid lock, a little toggle that quite simply prevents the ‘open’ button from operating, quite handy for if you press the wrong button whilst the player is in your backpack maybe? – apart from that, the standard provision of buttons for basic programming and track access are provided… All in all a simplistic (albeit large) design, that gets the job done – certainly won’t win any votes for aesthetic design of the year!
Power Requirements:
Internal: 4 x AA batteries - Approx 3 hours life
External Battery Pack: Not applicable
Mains: 9v jack, Centre Negative
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 32ohms
Volume Control: Analogue, rotary on main unit only (no provision for remote control)
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: 3 levels – MegaBass, Off, Mid and Max
Disc Retaining method: Overhead Clamp (in the lid)
Multibit DAC (from the best of my understanding – Please inform me if this is wrong)
Extra Features
Elna Capacitors (viewable through the gap where the laser is) – sign of a good sound quality perhaps? Time will tell
Current Availability: This is a readily available (and cheap) unit that is easily found on ebay – that being said, the D33 is reportedly of a better grade and can be bought for merely a few dollars – Only avid collectors need apply??
Headphone Output
The S Club track sounds very clean, with a tight bass line that doesn’t interfere with the general music, a wide soundstage, a crisp midrange and a clean (although ‘extended’) treble… In a word this sounds pretty damned good! – The vocals are convincing, with an airy nature that takes them away from just being in front of a microphone. It has been said that the bass isn’t exactly prodigious on this player. I agree in part, using this track as evidence it shows that there isn’t as much as is apparent with other players, but then again what there is, is very tight and well controlled. There is nothing offensive about this CD player playing this track at all. Maybe it lacks the last few words in finesse, but for the bargain price that it can be picked up for on ebay, using this first track as an example… this unit is a steal!
The Tori Amos tracks starts off with bass lines rolling fluidly (albeit maybe a little too heavily for ultimate enjoyment). Soundstage is clean, although not as open as other players in this line-up. Sure, you can tell where everything is supposed to be in the sonic mix, but its just quite as well projected as the best players here. This oversight is soon forgiven after hearing the vocal projection. It is intimate, enveloping. It allows you to almost see deeper than you’re supposed to, allowing a feel of emotion to spring forward. This is depressingly good, seeing that this is afterall a base model. Treble isn’t as apparently extended as on the first track here, but this isn’t processed pop afterall, so that is this players get out clause. Don’t for one second think that this is a dark sounding player, but – I’m simply referring to the fact that on the last track treble was highly noticeable. This track on the D11 almost allows you to close your eyes, and allow you to forget that you’re even listening to a portable. Highly recommended for this track!
The Gladiator track starts with a very clean bass-line again, in the same way as the track before it, but this is a lot tighter sounding, with the instruments swirling around the bass notes with ease. There is little to no feeling of congestion within the beginning of this track. Again, it has to be noted that soundstage is restricted compared to other units here, but it is still satisfyingly believable, and the tonal balance is highly commendable, with once again the treble energy from the first track not showing itself here. When it comes to the vocals, they DO sound convincing, especially when compared to other examples here, only fading out slightly when the Spanish guitar kicks in. That in itself is warm, delicious, crisp. Then, heading on the way to the crescendo, this player doesn’t seem to have quite the speed, or the attack of others here, but it still does an admirable job… and attacks the final crescendo with a fair amount of punch, considering the original value of this player.
Line Out Output
Is there an open fire around here? Warm, that is the first word that springs to mind with the S-Club track. Vocals sound unusually clean, and forward through this player’s line out, allowing them to sound very forward, clear, easy to render / understand. Treble appears to be lacking somewhat, but in the context of this track that really isn’t such a bad thing. Add in a punchy bass-line and you’ve got this player pretty much wrapped up for this track, an enjoyable listen that gets your toe tapping in time to the music, and with no obvious anomalies, this simplistic track really does sound good. Soundstage is not really the key point of this track, as its aimed at a younger audience, and this player doesn’t really deliver, sounding quite flat compared to others in this line-up, but in the context of this track that isn’t such a crime. No real hint of congestion, although if you’re not a lover of rich sounding equipment, this may well prove to be quite a distraction to you, seeing that there is little treble energy on offer…
Tori Amos’ track starts off with a very crisp and clean impression of the cymbal that is playing front of the soundstage, which is pleasingly accurate. Soon this is followed by the bass line which growls away at you almost angrily ~ a very individual bass, probably helped by the multi-bit DAC employed here, a bass that probably wouldn’t be appreciated by all, as it is definitely on the more powerful side of neutral. The vocals to me sound very crisp, and sultry ~ although do have a hint of sibilance which takes away some of the emotion and clarity that you would expect of this slow, inviting track, add in that boosted, growly bass, and things sound a little congested compared to the better units here, although in its own right, if this were your first venture into classic Discmen it would be a very lush sound, one for you to wonder why modern day Discmen really sound so bad. This player doesn’t lose control of the speed of the track, but at the same time doesn’t claim it as its own, doesn’t give you the impression of realism or finesse that would by now be expected… An average listen.
Midrange, and bags of it – that is the first thing that you notice with the Gladiator track. This a seriously rich sounding player. Bass is prodigious – almost bordering on being overdone, this may not be liked by many people, but to me personally it works really well, adding to the sense of foreboding and anticipation that this track attempts to convey. Vocals sound a little recessed, with almost a layer of film over them, for which I hold the soundstage accountable, the soundstage being compressed almost to a two dimensional field, where there is very little perception of forward and back, only left and right so for those die-hard soundstage people, this does not appear to be a player to recommend. Also one thing I noted was that I didn’t even hear the Spanish guitar. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely there (I don’t think that ANY player could miss out anything so fundamental) but the rest of the track seemed to swallow it up a little. Overall, an easy listen but one that does not convey as much energy or attack as what is shown with other (better) players in this line-up
For those of you that love midrange or electronic / processed music, this player may well be your meal ticket to audio nirvana on a portable scale, especially from the line out, but the fact that it seems to miss some of the finer details, and have a boosted bass response may lead to distraction… This doesn’t apply to the headphone out which seems to exhibit similar traits almost to the E905, very clean and crisp… for the bargain price that these can be picked up for, its has to be one of the top 5 to get hold of for a value listen!
The Middle Ages ~ 1991 - 1995
Sony D303 (Manufactured 1991)
Well, here we are in 1991, and what do we have here? The D303… This is Sony’s second to top of the range player (after the D-J50) for this year, and it has to be said that it is (relatively speaking) loaded with features. Not only does it have the newer, more economical 1-bit DAC, but also comes with a full size optical output for those with an external DAC, This Discman is also a bit of a rarity, for having the provision for TWO remote controls. Both in-line, and also a separate wireless / wired remote… very clever stuff for back then!
This is arguably the second coolest (in my opinion) looking Discman made behind the D555. I love the simple square nature, but with rounded corners – The LCD has moved from on the front edge from earlier units to being on the lid – being permanently lit in a soft amber light if powered from AC (but non-lit if using batteries). Button count is ‘average’ with seven on the lid, and sliding controls for ‘Hold’, ‘MegaBass’ (Off/Mid/Max) and ‘Resume [play]’. This is also, to the best of my knowledge the last Discman made with the ‘Puck’ mechanism (where the lid is what holds the disc in place rather than being retained on the spindle) .
Back to the DAC, 1991 was the first year that Philips released their BitStream (1 bit) DACs – Cheaper and easier to implement than the tried and trusted Multi-Bit variety… This Discman looks to be Sony’s attempt at pushing out a high-end Discman with their version of this (at the time) new technology as it was the only Discman of the year to feature the 1 bit DAC (the D101 and D202 have 8 x over-sampling multi-bit DACs) and it shows that they wanted this to be a winner by the build quality of the unit, and using the older style puck (all metal) rather than the cheaper plastic spindles that were at that point pretty mainstream – also being a fully metal Discman (no plastic anywhere on the enclosure) shows that this was a Discman that meant business.
Power Requirements:
Internal: 2 x AA batteries (or BP2EX, movable internal contacts, which can be recharged in unit) – Approx 4 hours life
External Battery Pack: Not applicable
Mains: 9v jack, Centre Positive
Main Features
Headphone Output: 5mw x 2 @ 16ohms
Volume Control: Analogue, rotary on both the main unit and remote control
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: MegaBass – 3 levels, Off, Mid, Max
Disc Retaining method: Overhead Clamp (in the lid)
Backlit Display: (only when powered by an AC adapter) – Amber
One Bit DAC (Delta / Sigma)
Extra Features
Remote Control: Wireless remote control available (RM-DM5(K)). Also, Simplistic wired remote, but all options are separate, no doubling up of button controls (No LCD on this remote).
Full sized Optical output (using standard connector rather than the 3.5mm mini type)
Three colour schemes: Black, Gun Metal & Silver… Expect to pay extra money for the Gun Metal variety due to its rarity and non conformance with all things being black…
Headphone Output
Where to start with this… I have a sneaky feeling that the D303 was a bit of a rush job at Sony HQ – Philips had just raised the ante with the new 1 bit systems and Sony presumably needed to do the same to keep themselves in the game. This (perceived) rush job shows its ugly head straight away in the headphone out when using low impedance headphones. Using the Shure E5C (which is 20ohm other than at 1khz when it shoots up to 110ohm and then drops back down again) the distortion is hugely evident even on non-complex passages. We’re not talking just graininess here, we’re talking complete corruption of the signal – Making it on the most part unlistenable.
Good news is at hand though. Using the Sennheiser PX250 (300ohm) yields much better results (my slightly technical mind thinks that there is not enough raw current being produced by the DAC which leads to load problems at the headphone jack – Higher impedance headphones get around this by requiring less current – Please see below some workings out using Ohms Law.
20ohm Headphones @ 5mw = Current requirement of 250µA, Wattage 1.25µW
32ohm Headphones @ 5mw = Current requirement of 156µA, Wattage 781.25nW
300ohm Headphones @ 5mw = Current requirement of 16.7µA, Wattage 83.3nW
Seems that Sony shot themselves in the foot with this player, considering it was released (in the US at least) with Fontopia / VITE earphones – which are rated at 16ohm – It’s a surprise that these players ever made it off of the shelves!!
It’s a good job they did though – So long as you have ear/headphones that match the lowly output of the players headphone out, you can have a nice rich sound, listening to DSOTM allows a lush performance with (if anything) a slightly tubby bottom end that adds a fair degree of kick to the sound. Midrange is rich and pure, allowing both instruments and vocals to appear relatively lifelike, although by no means the best of anything listed here. The psychedelic mix on the CD swirls around well around the headscape filling it with money, clocks, people running around – The channel separation seems to actually be very good. Treble isn’t the brightest that I’ve ever heard, but it doesn’t offend in its darkness., instead – allowing the focus to be on the midrange. Not too bad, so long as you have high impedance headphones!!
Line Out Output
The crème de la crème of PCDP line outs, that’s pretty much what this player is classed as – After the dismal headphone out you’d have to question that, but only for about two seconds… As soon as you hit play the quality is instantly apparent. The footfalls on “On The Run” are much more cleanly defined than on either of the other units tested in this update, and the overall tone is much more involving – That one word pretty much sums up the D303 line out – Involving. This is much more like a full sized CD player than it has any right to be. Bass is tight and clean, midrange is deliciously rich but without being like treacle, the level of detail that this player can pick out of the CD is also much more than the D321 and D211 can manage – It is almost as if there are different discs / tracks on the other players. The separation is another great aspect, listening to the track “Time”, all of the clocks are heard clearly with no smearing / loss of quality. The delicacy of the vocals on “The Great Gig In The Sky” is another of the many high-points for this player, so effortless, so easy – If this player were an athlete doing the 100m sprint, it could give all the other participants a 50m head-start and still win by a clear 25m, that is just how good it is!!
There really is nothing at all that I can fault the line out of this player for – Not one thing, vocals are pure and rich, instruments sound realistic, bass is crisp and allows the rest of the music stand out in the mix with an absolute ease that should be well above that acceptable for a PCDP. This little gem re-writes the rulebook of what PCDPs are capable of. No more needs to be said.
It seems that Sony put all of their effort into making one of the best PCDPs ever, but forgot the headphone out – A travesty really as this could’ve been the player to end all players if they’d have gotten that part right – one that would’ve curbed the incessant need for longer and longer battery life… The size isn’t too bad (certainly small enough to walk around with) and with the sound potential shown from the line out, this would have kept both audiophiles and general listeners happy for a very long time.
Almost definitely one of the top three portable CD players ever made in terms of potential sound quality – which luckily, is delivered from the line out!
Sony D111 (Manufactured 1992)
This Discman is the bottom of the range unit from the x11 series, this can be felt in both build quality and general functionality. No metal-work on this unit whatsoever, none of the enhanced features such as [digital] Bass Boost, but instead the (to my ears) inferior MegaBass. No DDS output, no remote control (not even a provision for one, having just a standard jack-plug socket, without the extra ‘connector’ for the remotes) and no provision for an external battery pack… basic is the word!
But, what does the player have? – Well, as mentioned it has three stage MegaBass, it has the provision for a Sony proprietary battery (which could then be charged in unit) – and, that’s it really
In terms of size, the D111 is a candidate for Sony’s ‘D’ shaped policy that followed the company around for the best part of a decade. The unit stands approx 2 1/3 CD cases tall, and whilst it fits into the CD case ‘standard’ in terms of width, there is a small level of protrusion in terms of length, this is caused by the ‘D’ shape of the player
Button / switch count is low on this player, having just nine (not including the rotary volume control). Included are the obligatory Open, Play / Pause, Stop / Charge, track access, hold / resume switch, and megabass slider – The buttons are well laid out though, within their own space. Not too much fear here of getting the buttons mixed up in the dark.
The LCD display is nothing to write home about particularly.. with just track number and time, and battery low indicator (and various programming ‘features’ when called into action) being on show. Build quality, despite being plastic throughout is still quite reassuring – I don’t think it could handle being dropped on the floor too many times, but seems sturdy enough for day to day use. The only thing to note (although of little relevance) is that the D111 has a black body, and a grey lid (and is very light, little weight to it considering that it is still ten years away from the ultra slim players)…
Power Requirements:
Internal: 2 x AA batteries (or equivalent stock battery from Sony which can be recharged in unit) – Approx 4 hours life
External Battery Pack: Not applicable
Mains: 6v jack, Centre Positive
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 16ohms
Volume Control: Analogue, rotary on main unit only (no provision for remote control)
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: 3 levels – MegaBass, Off, Mid and Max
Disc Retaining method: Centre Spindle, Pop-On system
One Bit DAC (Delta / Sigma)
Extra Features
None
Current Availability: This is the most common of the x11 players to be seen on ebay, and due to the limited functionality and its relatively unknown nature (not to mention the low model number, people seem to get surprisingly nervous about that) D111s can be picked up for anything from $30 – A relative bargain!
Headphone Out
One observation with this player, from the offset is that if you’re using batteries only, that the sound muddies, the nearer you are to the batteries faltering. I haven’t experienced this with any other Sony player to the best of my knowledge
The S-Club 7 track seems to lack a little energy. Bass weight is here, but appears a little boomy, slowing the general sense of pace down. This isn’t by any means as bad as is apparent on later generations of players, but considering this units stable-mates, I would’ve hoped for better. Midrange is enjoyable if ultimately a little rich. Vocal projection is crisp and clean, if maybe not the last word in realism. Treble extension isn’t quite as wide as on better players here but is faithful making this track quite enjoyable. Soundstage isn’t the widest I’ve heard, but the panning of the instruments on this track is discernable, you can tell where they are supposed to be, but just feels a little closed in compared to others here.
Soundstage is clear from the outset with this track, maybe not to the level of realism that is apportioned to the better specified units, but still enjoyable and understandable. The bass that this unit produces overpowers the more subtle nature of this track slightly, once again leading to a slightly slow sound. Tori’s vocals are a little too prominent here, normally you could almost envisage her whispering into your ear, but here, you can tell that she is singing. Some of the illusion is shattered here. The drum beats are one thing of note though, despite this players faults the drums do sound very good, and convincing. The backing singer(s) also, with the more delicate nature of the recording are conveyed very well. I think this could be classed as an upfront – in your face kind of player.
The final track sounds once again, a little slow. There just isn’t enough pace in this player to let the full emotion of this track come to the fore. The soundstage sounds once more, compressed, there, but not there… almost masked. The vocals of the track sound convincing, I think due to this players slightly warm tone. It lends them a certain texture which allows them to be conveyed well. The Spanish guitar is crisp, and clean sounding although there is not quite the same level of emotion apparent as what I’ve heard on other units. The crescendo roars away as it should, but feels, once again to be lacking in emotion, you cannot feel the plight that is supposed to be being thrust at you at this point. Listenable, but not immersive is how I would describe this players headphone output.
Line Out Output
Calming, lazy, warm? All of these analogies can seemingly be used for the line out of this player – judging by the first track at least! Bass is crisp, and tight – you definitely could not class this player as overbearing. Soundstage appears to be crippled compared to the best of those on offer within this review, but is certainly still perceivable although on the busier aspects of the track gets a little muddled, and sloppy. Vocals are cleanly projected, sounding natural, although a little set back, and hidden within the more complex parts of the mix. Treble extension is bordering on being over powering, sounding a little sharp on some of the percussion, and allowing a little bit of sibilance to creep in at the peaks of the singers range. Overall this track is pleasing on this player, although by no means exceptional…….
In Your Cloud starts off with a rasping bass that belies this player, it sounds much more authorative than it should. A great start, but then the soundstage once again fails to show up, sounding much more two dimensional than the more elite players here. Toris vocals are lush, maybe a bit too much so, sounding a little plasticky, also that compressed soundstage pushes her voice right into the middle of your head, with the Piano that normally sounds several feet behind her, barely being a few inches away. The overall presentation is warm, and is devoid of energy for which some people will say this is a failing, but for me on this track, if you add any zing it takes away the emotion that is trying to be conveyed. This is a tough track for me to weigh up. Obviously the lack of soundstage is a hindrance, but at the same time the very life blood that feeds most of these players ~ energy really doesn’t do this track that many favours, which is one area where to me this player picks up bonus points.. perplexing.
The Gladiator track roars onto the scene as you might by now expect, the bass is maybe a little slow, slightly less dextrous than you’d ideally want, but it still sounds authorative and convincing, again the soundstage sounds a little compressed, pushed into your head rather than being allowed the full freedom of moving six feet to the left or right. The vocal capabilities for this track are good, sounding a little grey compared to what I conceive as real life ~ regardless they are more convincing than many other players have portrayed. The Spanish guitar sounds very lush, and detailed, although it seems to be a little slower than normal… and the crescendo falls all around you, but doesn’t have the self control of many of the other players here… not bad, but certainly not great either – a mediocre performance…
Pretty much as standard and generic as you can get. Nothing is particularly exceptional here, then again nothing is overly bad either… Maybe this player should be the benchmark for all others… I think with me, it might just be!
Sony D211 (Manufactured 1992)
This Discman is the middle of the range unit from the x11 series, which it now transpires were released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the birth of CD, and shares a virtually completely different set of functions and components to its more costly ‘brother’. Whether they are worse in this cheaper player will soon be revealed…
Even though this was a cheaper unit, it still shares the three stage bass boost and DDS that is found on the very much more expensive units (D555, D303, D311, D515) and it appears that any Discman carrying these features is assured of being a good quality sounding unit, A promising sign…
There have obviously been some compromises on this player compared to its bigger ‘brother’, with the shell being made of plastic rather than metal. Also missing is the internal flat rechargeable battery, and the option for an external battery pack. In its place is a much cheaper option of an AA sized battery pack that can be recharged in-unit. There is no provision for external power, other than the mains adapter.
Other than that, the remote control is also cheaper than that of the D311 & D515, having no LCD display, but that is made up for by the main unit having a larger display showing all standard features, but in a more easy to read size – This is on the front of the unit compared to being on the lid (in the case of the D311) – Where the LCD display of the D311 would be, there is a window for you to be able to see your CD merrily spinning around. One addition to this player is a backlight on the LCD display, having not been seen since the D25S. It is orange as per seemingly all Sony players, and has a very even light distribution across the display. If using battery power, the light remains on for approximately two seconds after any button press (if you’re concerned about the effect of this light on battery life, it can be disabled by a switch on the side of the unit) else with mains power the light remains on permanently.
Power Requirements:
Internal: 2 x AA batteries (or equivalent stock battery from Sony which can be recharged in unit) – Approx 4 hours life
External Battery Pack: Not applicable
Mains: 6v jack, Centre Positive
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 16ohms
Volume Control: Analogue, rotary on both the main unit and remote control
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: 3 levels, activated on either the remote or the main unit, altered on main unit only
Disc Retaining method: Centre Spindle, Pop-On system
Backlit Display: Permanently on when powered by an AC adapter, else is on for approximately two seconds when accessing features of the player when powered by batteries (can be switched off to conserve battery power)
One Bit DAC (Delta / Sigma)
Extra Features
DDS Output: Three stage sound enhancement, boosts quiet sounds to make the sound more 'even' ~ activated on either the remote or main unit, changeable on main unit only
Remote Control: Simplistic remote, but all options are separate, no doubling up of button controls (No LCD on this remote).
Current Availability: I’ve only seen one of these so far on EBay, and it’s the one that I’m listening to right now. Grab them whilst they’re cheap! – Expect to pay no more than $50 for a good condition unit now. But, I’m pretty sure the price will sky-rocket once word gets out – As to Head-Fi, I’ve only seen half a dozen references to this player here, so don’t expect one to come up in the For Sale forum anytime soon!
Headphone Output
Instantly (and the Brits here would say, ashamedly) as soon as the S-Club track started on the D211 my head started moving in time with the music. The clarity is supreme. Bass is tight, without any hint of over-saturation. Soundstage is wide, and precise, the air is so… I don’t know, awe inspiring? – Everything just sounds, and feels so free, so effortless. There is no claustrophobic feeling whatsoever with this player. The vocals are very distinctly over the top of the instrumentals of the track. This is potentially bordering on analytical sounding, but to my ears the player holds that feeling in check, enabling a highly enjoyable listen. In a direct comparison to the D311, the D211 sounds cleaner… leaving the D311 sounding somewhat grey and lifeless. I can happily listen to this track on this player without fear of knowing it’s a PCDP, the sound (and the internal amp) are that convincing… A job well done!
I am still amazed at just how clean, clear and powerful this Discman sounds, there really is no real way to describe it, other than being on an even par with my main CD player through the META42… The soundstage of the Tori Amos track is so open and wide that it just doesn’t deserve to be coming from a portable player. Tonally everything appears to be right on the mark, with the bass gently rolling away as an undertone to the track, and Tori’s vocals sit cleanly on top, well infront of the instruments. The air is what impresses me the most overall, that you can feel your way around effortlessly. There is not even the slightest hint of congestion from the internal amp on this player. The sultry nature of the track is captured impeccably, and would not feel out of place on a player costing many times more than what I paid for this unit. At no point through the track does anything feel lost, or out of place. In actual fact one of the best renditions of this track that I think I’ve ever heard!
The Gladiator soundtrack opens up with a swirling soundstage, I’m unaccustomed to this from a portable player, its slightly disconcerting to begin with, making me feel very much that this is a full sized player. Bass is supremely tight and fast, with the strings sat on top, never getting lost in the cornucopia of sound that is the track. Even with the vocal section of the track, the music behind is very atmospheric (another thing that appears to lack from all other players tested so far). As always the vocals from the movie don’t have the last level of realism, but when the Spanish guitar kicks in, it is an emotional experience with a punchy bass just behind it within the soundstage. When things speed up, the internal amp of this player handles it with a complete ease, sounding very comfortable without a hint of strain. Spellbinding!
Line Out Output
The tonal balance is impressive with the S-Club track, but the bass feels a shade bloated. Soundstage is adequate, matching that of the D311s line out, but not being anywhere near as prominent as from this players headphone output. The sound overall is faithful, with the vocals sounding crisp, with the music playing around them still being easily discernable, but to my ears the finesse, the power, the energy… the whole package that makes the headphone out seem so good is sadly lacking from the line out… No, not a let down, but a surprise ~ from this first track I can conclude that the headphone out is better than the line out.. very unusual!
The first second of the Tori Amos track sounds promising, with a very open, breathy intro, but this is followed by a bass that is a little too slow for my liking. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds good, but the exceptional headphone out really does reveal how flawed the line out appears to be. Tori’s vocals are clean and clear but there is a decided lack of energy that makes the overall tone sound a little slow, lethargic. In terms of soundstage, everything is where it should be, but even then, the slow drumming on the left channel appears to be a little too slow, as if the drummer is ready to fall asleep – I ought to say that I’m being a little over-bearing on this player, but then again it deserves it. It promised so much, and delivered it with its headphone output, I thought the line out would be totally out of this world, but it is very much more like the D311 (which as you know isn’t really a bad thing)
The Gladiator track is rich, with a deep rolling bass-line that is hard to ignore. This feels a little slower than on the very best players outputs here, but is still within the realms of acceptability. The midrange is rich, and crisp, allowing the movie vocals to sound almost convincing, with the lush sound of the Spanish guitar just behind. The treble seems to lack slightly on this track, allowing it to sound a little too warm, too comforting, which is not what this track is about… it is supposed to contain anger, and venom, which isn’t quite conveyed even with the crescendo takes a hold. Am I disappointed? – No… Did I expect more? – Yes. This sound is more likely to sooth you into a false sense of security than be able to convey the true emotion that this track has to offer….
A different style of sound compared to what I’m used to with Sony portable CD players, there is an aggression, an anger not normally associated with the smooth sounding units, but this is only shown when warranted… A great discovery in the world of all things ‘Discman’ one that I’m happy to say has overthrown the D311 as my personal favourite! – Don’t let the fact that this wasn’t the top of the range model put you off of picking one up! – A player that from its headphone out sounds nearly as good as my full sized setup including the META42 either says there is something chronically wrong with my main system, or else that this players headphone out is a true great… you decide!
Sony D311 (Manufactured 1992)
Considering that this Discman is 11 years old, it is amazingly thin, about 1 1/2 CD jewel cases deep, and about the same size as a jewel case in both width and length... only the external battery pack takes the unit outside of the jewel case size... amazing! Sony’s showcase to the world, of how to make a 'thin Discman'... Only 3000 are reported to have been produced, at an initial retail cost of approximately $450
Things are starting to look a lot more 'modern' now also, the illuminated LCD is gone... replaced by a very much more common place screen on the main unit, also there is a very simplistic remote control that has five controls, Play / Pause, track scan / access, stop, and 'DSP', which switches on either the bass boost (NOT Mega Bass) and DDS enhancement ~ there are three levels of each, but that can only be adjusted on the main unit itself.
The remote itself only displays the track number, little markers |<< and >>| depending on which way you're scanning through the tracks, and something that most MD users will be more than familiar with, a spinning 'disc' that shows you graphically if the unit is paused, playing or scanning, by how fast the disc 'spins'... all clever stuff for all that time ago! This was also the first sighting of Sony’s 'Micro-Plug' plug, if you don't have a mini to micro jack plug, you're stuck with either the supplied ear buds, or not using the remote control...
On the main unit, there are nine buttons, two switches, and a volume control, all lined up on the outer lip of the player, all are quite self explanatory, and are seemingly ergonomically positioned... The stop button doubles up as a 'charge' button for the internal battery (3.5v 550mah BP5)... for four hours charge, you would get two hours of playback from that cell, including the external battery pack (two AA batteries) you could get playback up to a seemingly respectable 10 hours or so... unfortunately the D311 that I acquired didn't come with a mains adapter, so I don't know if the internal battery works or not... time will tell
The LCD on the main unit shows track number, time elapsed, three level battery level meter, and Bass Boost / DDS level (if activated)... This LCD wouldn't look out of place, even on one of today’s modern players!
Build quality is up to the usual old school Sony standards, the unit is quite heavy, seemingly having a metal alloy shell, configured into a shallow 'D' shape, with a quite ingenious locking mechanism for the external battery pack... well done Sony!
Power Requirements:
Internal 3.4v Battery, good for 2 hours playback
External Battery Pack, good for 4 hours on fresh cells
Internal & External batteries combined: Approx 6 hour’s playback
Mains: 6v jack, Centre Positive
Main Features
Headphone Output: 9mw x 2 @ 16ohms
Volume Control: Analogue, rotary on both the main unit and remote control
Line Output: Standard 3.5mm jack
Bass Boost: 3 levels, activated on either the remote or the main unit, altered on main unit only
Disc Retaining method: Centre Spindle, Pop-On system
One Bit DAC (Delta / Sigma)
Extra Features
DDS Output: Three stage sound enhancement, boosts quiet sounds to make the sound more 'even' ~ activated on either the remote or main unit, changeable on main unit only
Remote Control: Simplistic remote, but all options are separate, no doubling up of button controls.
Current Availability: Very hard to find, Third rarest Discman out there (amongst the 'elite', only the D515 and D626 are rarer) occasionally sold on by Head-Fi'ers, but more often than not its a lucky hit on EBay, due to the rarity, and quality of these units, they have been known to exchange hands for as much as $500 for a mint condition unit!
Headphone Output
With S-Club 7s 'Reach', this appears to be much more airy than the D50, instruments are placed further out to the left and right of the head-space, bass is taut, and incredibly crisp with a more competent midrange that seems to compliment the Eggos that little bit more, the treble isn't the brightest, or the most extended that you'll ever hear, sadly that is only in the realms of the D50, but what you get is certainly clear enough and doesn't offend your ears, even when played at higher volumes... The fact of how easy it is to pick the mix apart, even on this 'pop' track is unnerving, you could literally point to an instrument in the sound-stage, and know exactly what its doing, or when its being used, I can safely say this is the only Discman I have that can do that!
Back to Tori Amos 'In your cloud', the improved midrange of this unit is easily apparent, with Ms Amos' voice being projected much more naturally, both tonally as well as spatially, with the swirling ensemble of instruments to the left, and the piano to the right sounding nothing but smooth, and natural... The bass seems to be a little overdone on this track, it does seem to take a little edge off of the music, but what bass there is, is yet again incredibly well defined, grinding away nicely...
The Gladiator track, homecoming is where things get really good though, Wahoo, the soundstage is magnificent, amazingly wide and well defined... again, you could easily point out exactly where each instrument is within this busy track, again, the film inserts appear to be thin, and not lifelike, so I really do feel that this is a failing on the mastering rather than the players part, but again whilst the speech is going on, there is a delicious guitar solo, where you can almost see the player plucking each string... and then the big bass over the top, its certainly not going to sound as strong or as vibrant as say, a fully optimised DT770 setup, but its damned impressive nonetheless, the 311 very nearly let go at 3:05 though, with the final huge crashing bass note... then again, to most people I probably listen to excess (I am currently listening at volume 7 of 10 on this player)
The separation (soundstage) abilities of this unit do nothing but impress me, yet at the same time everything sounds very smooth, almost contradictory of that... its a very clever thing that Sony pulled off with this player, the ability to have an ultra wide and clean soundstage, but without resorting to thinness, something even a few of today’s players could do with some tips on, and I’m not talking just Discmen!
Line Out Output
Full sized player! - they are the words screaming out of my mouth after the first few seconds of listening to the S-Club track, I can hear fully from first the headphone out, and now the line out why this player is so rare, and highly sort after... Bass weight is absolutely spot on, sounding rhythmic, and again, bouncy, separation is superb, allowing for an immaculate soundstage, vocal clarity is above all I’ve heard so far apart from my (now dead) Aura CD player, and the treble is held seemingly perfectly in check, not a hint of sibilance anyway, yet the sound is anything but dull, the whole sound to be just oozes quality ~ this goes further than just equalling the XE570 I have, it exceeds it, quite happily!
Where with the D50, I can hear a lovely clarity on 'In Your Cloud', the D311 takes it on to another level. the first thing I can hear is a little triangle being tapped, with a great clarity that I’d barely even registered on the other players, the bass is lovely, and rounded... close to being overloaded, but holding together, and sounding rich, along with Ms Amos' vocals that just seem to hang in the air, she doesn't seem to be tied to the instruments that are playing all around her, and even with the bass rolling around her and the instruments, everything can be located, and isolated with ease, the smile on my face would give away a lot, as to how I like the output of this player!
The orchestral Gladiator track, yet again impresses me on this player, is there nothing it can do wrong? you may be asking ~ and to my ears, the honest answer would be a resolute No!, separation, tonal quality, definition, pace... even those lacklustre quality film inserts sound impressive, and almost realistic... and the guitar, oh... no word of a lie, the clarity has brought a tear to my eye! that might sound very unbelievable, considering that this is just a portable player, but honestly... to my ears, this is well and truly up there with the all time greats, very much a 'must have'... Also, the crescendo at the end of the track is handled with complete ease, yet again this player passes a test with flying colours.
Personal CD Players (and DAPs) through the ages ~ A Review - Updated 04/17/2006