Well, friends, the time has come again for me to cull some more of my favourite pieces from my collection.

This time it’s my reference CD player for the last few years, my much-loved and top-of-the-line Sony CDP-X7ESD CD player. Many of you will know how much I love these players. Sony crafted these during the golden era of CD back in 1989, at a time when they still made serious equipment like this.

UPDATE: Sold, within an hour of listing!

I’ve written about these players here for example and worked on many over the years, including my beauty you see here and this stunning pair of Sony CDP-X7ESD and X77ES:

More details of my Sony X7ESD below and you can also find the listing in my store.

Now, if you’re wondering why I’m selling equipment like this wonderful CD player, that’s easy to answer. This is why:

Sony CDP-X7ESD Specifications

Courtesy HiFi Engine

• Disc format: CD
• Digital converter: PCM58P-S
• CD Mechanism: KSS-190A
• Frequency response: 2Hz to 20kHz
• Dynamic range: 100dB
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 115dB
• Channel separation: 110dB
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.0015%
• Line output: 2V
• Digital connections: coaxial, optical
• Dimensions: 470 x 125 x 375mm
• Weight: 17kg – yes indeed, more than most amplifiers
• Accessories: remote control
• Year: 1989

The X7ESD uses the legendary and incredibly long-lived Sony KSS-190A, an almost all metal mech and glass optic laser, the same mech used in my customer’s beautiful Accuphase DP-80L for example:

Here is my CDP-X7ESD, photographed today, for this listing:

My X7ESD has been very well cared for, as you’d expect of something I own. I’ve serviced this player, it has new drive belts, everything is clean, and lubricated with synthetic greases and oils and she runs perfectly. Sony even still has the owners manual available for download. Thank you, Sony.

My X7ESD is in almost perfect condition, with no dings or damage to the wooden side panels and only a few light scratches to the top surface, to be expected at this age 35 years old. In most lighting, these cannot be seen.

The X7ESD has single-ended and balanced outputs, plus digital outs for use with a DAC. The balanced outs sound wonderful, smooth and warm as you’d expect of a player of this calibre.

Extras

Those wanting the very best performance might consider using her as a superlative transport with a really good external DAC, like my Gustard A-26, Accuphase DC-91, Denafrips Pontus 2, etc.

Keep an eye out for my Gustard A-26 DAC, an absolute sonic stunner and also available in the store. This is easily the best stand-alone DAC I’d owned until my Accuphase DC-91, easily besting my Musical Fidelity TriVista 21, PS Audio NuWave DSD, etc.

UPDATE: The lovely Gustard A-26 is now sold!

Both the Sony and Gustard sound better when powered by my IsoTek EVO3 Genesis One Mains Power Conditioner/Regenerator, also available in the store. This highly regarded regen lifts any component connected to it and not requiring more than 100 Watts.

She’s Yours, If You’d Like Her!

This absolutely gorgeous, copper-plated and nearly entirely metal Sony CDP-X7ESD CD player is a beauty and built like almost nothing else these days. She comes with a factory remote, recently serviced and can be yours for $2,500 AUD. As they say in Japan: no gully noise, but don’t bid if nervous!

Seriously though, I’ve had a lot of interest from customers who’ve seen/heard this player and know I planned to list it, so if you’d like it, get in touch as soon as you are able and I’ll reserve it for you. Local pick-up is preferred.

UPDATE: Sold within an hour of listing, thanks George! 

My apologies to anyone who wanted this and missed out. It’s always hard to manage equipment sales because fairness is deeply important to me. I received several offers to buy this CD player before I listed it but to be fair to all those who wait patiently for my equipment listings, I need to go through this process to allow everyone to have a shot at whatever I might be selling. It’s the only fair way to do things and that’s why I will always list important pieces like this for sale.

Post Script

Some may wonder how I’m able to sell the pieces I list so quickly, within just an hour in this case. I think it comes down to two things: quality and trust.

I’ve worked hard to build my reputation for quality and trust in my readership and customer base. Those who’ve worked with me know that I stand by everything I do, and that includes the equipment I sell. People know that they can purchase from Liquid Audio with confidence. When I say something has been serviced, for example, it’s been done properly and with greater attention to detail than most doing this kind of work.

People also know that the pieces I sell are often the best examples, or at least the best-maintained examples, of the models they are interested in. Because equipment has often been part of my collection, I’ve selected the best components from a particular time or price point and much of the hard work in choosing what’s good has already been done by someone whose job is to care for and listen to hi-fi gear.

There’s no smoke and mirrors here. For these and other reasons, people trust Liquid Audio and usually become long-term customers. I’m very grateful for that.