Peddler
1000+ Head-Fier
Sony D-50 Discman
I have been an avid portable stereo user for many years now - virtually since the introduction of the first Walkman tape players. I'm surprised that I have not damaged my hearing with all the headphone listening over the years.
I have also gone through a fair share of Discman players over the years. Sadly at the time I didn't really appreciate just what the older players offered in terms of sound quality rather that portability. In all fairness at the time there was a need for a player that could play in my pocket not just when sat on a table.
The D-50 was the first Discman Sony produced and boy you can tell. This thing is built like a tank. Like all the vintage player of that era, there is no way you can realistically carry this thing around with you. It is definitely designed to be used as a table top player.
Once you get over the size and weight of the thing. The first thing you notice is the quality of the buttons. They remind me of the type of buttons found on B & O equipment. Controls on the player are minimalist to say the least. No programming or Mega-bass settings - just track skip and volume. When you stop and think about it that is all you need.
Sound Quality
This player is AMAZING. The volume is awesome. The first time I tried out the thing I was using Etymotics and had the player on full volume and I very nearly lost control of my bowels. The volume is far higher than that of the Airhead - and that's loud!
You should bear in mind that this is a first-generation player and so can lack a degree of control in the top end when used with the Ety's. I wouldn’t describe the treble as harsh – perhaps a little more forward than I’m used to. However, when you plug in the KSC-35's or the Porta-Pros and it is a very different story. It's a well known fact in these forums that the Koss benefit from being driven hard and this player can certainly do that – no problem.
The player exhibits a wonderful silence when playing – there’s no doubt that Sony really wanted to show just what Compact Disc was capable of. I suspect that the electronics in this unit are really top-notch stuff – considering the age of this machine I was very surprised to see that there’s no noise on the volume pot and the buttons didn’t stick. This player has been really looked after.
I’m old enough to remember clearly the days before Compact Disc. I can remember clearly when the format was released onto the market and can also remember just how bad my Yamaha CDX1 player sounded when compared to my vinyl source. I remember trying my hardest to like the sound coming out of the player and not being able to adjust to the harshness that seemed to present in every recording. I strongly suspect that if my first player had been this Sony, my opinion of Compact Disc would have changed significantly.
I have been an avid portable stereo user for many years now - virtually since the introduction of the first Walkman tape players. I'm surprised that I have not damaged my hearing with all the headphone listening over the years.
I have also gone through a fair share of Discman players over the years. Sadly at the time I didn't really appreciate just what the older players offered in terms of sound quality rather that portability. In all fairness at the time there was a need for a player that could play in my pocket not just when sat on a table.
The D-50 was the first Discman Sony produced and boy you can tell. This thing is built like a tank. Like all the vintage player of that era, there is no way you can realistically carry this thing around with you. It is definitely designed to be used as a table top player.
Once you get over the size and weight of the thing. The first thing you notice is the quality of the buttons. They remind me of the type of buttons found on B & O equipment. Controls on the player are minimalist to say the least. No programming or Mega-bass settings - just track skip and volume. When you stop and think about it that is all you need.
Sound Quality
This player is AMAZING. The volume is awesome. The first time I tried out the thing I was using Etymotics and had the player on full volume and I very nearly lost control of my bowels. The volume is far higher than that of the Airhead - and that's loud!
You should bear in mind that this is a first-generation player and so can lack a degree of control in the top end when used with the Ety's. I wouldn’t describe the treble as harsh – perhaps a little more forward than I’m used to. However, when you plug in the KSC-35's or the Porta-Pros and it is a very different story. It's a well known fact in these forums that the Koss benefit from being driven hard and this player can certainly do that – no problem.
The player exhibits a wonderful silence when playing – there’s no doubt that Sony really wanted to show just what Compact Disc was capable of. I suspect that the electronics in this unit are really top-notch stuff – considering the age of this machine I was very surprised to see that there’s no noise on the volume pot and the buttons didn’t stick. This player has been really looked after.
I’m old enough to remember clearly the days before Compact Disc. I can remember clearly when the format was released onto the market and can also remember just how bad my Yamaha CDX1 player sounded when compared to my vinyl source. I remember trying my hardest to like the sound coming out of the player and not being able to adjust to the harshness that seemed to present in every recording. I strongly suspect that if my first player had been this Sony, my opinion of Compact Disc would have changed significantly.
