Sony - CDP-XB930 CD player

This is from the era when CDs were at their peak—and arguably
The best era for CD players.

Let's remember that Sony along with Philips inverted the CD format.
and the hardware to play it. I don’t believe that any of the ‘audiophile’ or
Boutique brands have ever produced anything better than the Sony machines of the late 90s.

This CDP-XB930 is absolutely fantastically well built.
20 years of consistent use without fault can't be argued.
It's built like a tank, it's heavy, and the chassis is solid.
It's all aluminium, no plastic with the exception of the transport drawer.
which is of the 'Fixed Pickup Mechanism' variety.
It’s a very smooth, slick mechanism that operates very quietly.
It can read copies made on CD-RW discs, which was a rare feature for a regular CD player.

It also has CD Text ability, which is actually a very nice feature — now that CDs are actually widely used.
coming with it as standard in 2020.

Using the machine is a joy; it’s a smooth, responsive machine to operate via its panel.
Helped by the very nice jog dial for track selection.
The remote is also very good and covers all of the major functions.

The headphone output is high quality and actually does a good job of driving.
Headphones with good clear output and no coloration.

Included is a switchable filter, but I find this a useless gimmick.
It's not required and doesn't enhance the experience.

The optical and coax outputs used to be useful for connecting to a CD-R in the old days.
but isn’t needed anymore. However, you can use an external DAC, but again, I see no point.
The Sony plays the material on the disc without altering it. A modern Pioneer N50A.
brings no audible improvements over this 20-year-old Sony’s DAC.

It’s simply a very well-made and enjoyable-to-use CD player.

Disc format: CD
Digital converter: CXD8735N
CD mechanism: KSS-213B
Frequency response: 2Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic range: 99dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 113dB
Channel separation: 105dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.0025%
Line output: 2V
Digital connections: coaxial, optical
Dimensions: 430 x 115 x 290mm
Weight: 6kg

Accessories: remote commander
Send carefully packed goods.
See the last photo (Triple carton and Flowpack).
Shipments outside Europe by appointment.
Pickup is also available in Hoorn (N-H).