Amazing Denon DCD-2560GL Limited Edition CD – Like New!

Wow, seriously this and the next piece really blow my mind in terms of the condition they are in. This beautiful Denon DCD-2560GL CD player is in as close to like-new condition as I think it’s possible to find.

The DCD-2560GL is a very high-spec player and built like a tank, unlike most modern machines this side of $5K. Using four Analog Devices DAC chips and a healthy dose of premium Elna and other parts where it matters, this CD player is a heavy hitter.

Specifications

Note: these specs are for the standard DCD-2560, this is the DCD-2560GL, with balanced outputs, better parts and an improved output buffer.

DAC: 4 x AD1862N-D, 20 bit, 16 x oversampling
CD Mechanism: Sony
Frequency response: 2Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic range: 100dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 116dB
Channel separation: 110dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.0018%
Line output: 2V
Digital outputs: coaxial, optical
Dimensions: 434 x 122 x 360mm
Weight: 10.5kg
Accessories: RC-232 remote control
Year: 1991
Price: GBP £570 (1991, standard edition..!)

Certainly, if you are looking for a classic CD player with balanced outputs, wooden side cheeks and the sort of build quality that you have to pay many thousands of dollars for these days, this DCD-2560GL could be perfect. It would also make for a superb CD transport for use with a more modern DAC.

I’ve tested this player and it has a very healthy laser, reading even burned discs in seconds. You should have zero reservations about buying this lovely old girl if you are interested.

She comes in her original box, with manual, remote control and three-month warranty for just $1250.

For comparison, you can buy a modern plastic CD player with a laser that will last two years, like this Marantz CD-6006, for $1250 AUD. I just replaced the laser in a CD-6006 for a customer, his lasted just over two years. This Sony laser is stronger after 30 years. It’s sad, but this is how things are now.

Stunning, Like New, Kenwood KX-7030 3-Head, 3-Motor Cassette Deck, with Box and Manual!

Wow! Check out this absolutely beautiful Kenwood KX-7030 cassette deck in like-new condition, with original manual, box and remote control.

UPDATE: Sold!

That’s right, this Kenwood KX-7030 3-head, dual-capstan, Dolby B/C cassette deck is in as close to brand-new condition as you’ll find. I’ve recently serviced her which includes cleaning, lubrication and demagnetisation of the tape path, plus some electronic adjustments to playback and record levels.

Specifications

Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck
Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.76 cm/s
Heads: 1 x combination record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: 3 x DC
Tape Type: Normal, CrO2, Metal
Noise Reduction: Dolby B, C
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz  (Metal tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 75dB  (dolby C)
Wow and Flutter: 0.045%
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.7%
Input: 77.5mV (line)
Output: 0.49V (line)
Dimensions: 440 x 127 x 324mm
Weight: 5.1kg
Accessories: remote control
Year: 1991

She runs like new, makes great recordings using the Dolby B & C noise reduction features and auto-biasing which is a nice added bonus, simplifying matching the deck to the cassette type used for recording.

With three heads, three motors and dual capstans, this KX-7030 has all the high end features more discerning cassette deck owners are looking for.

Don’t miss out on this absolutely lovely machine. She comes complete with box, manual, remote and 3-month warranty for just $595.

Gorgeous Technics RS-M45 Direct-Drive Cassette Deck

The Technics RS-M45 direct-drive cassette deck is a real classic from the golden era of cassette decks. This one wasn’t playing and needed some deep service work on the mech, including lots of cleaning and lubrication.

With that work completed, plus a deep clean of the tape path and head demagnetisation, this lovely old Technics RS-M45 is now running beautifully.

I have a real fondness for these old Technics machines. I love the styling, the nearly all-metal construction of the tape mech and the solid mechanical build quality. The bi-coloured VFD peak meters add to the appeal and timeless Technics styling.

This machine has no capstan belt, so that’s one less thing to worry about. The direct-drive capstan means low wow and flutter and the all-metal eject mechanism is so smooth you have to operate it to believe it.

Specifications

Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck
Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s
Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: FG servo DC
Tape Type: type I, FeCr, CrO2, Metal
Noise Reduction: B
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz  (Metal tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 68dB  (dolby B)
Wow and Flutter: 0.035%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
Output: 0.7V (line)
Dimensions: 430 x 98 x 345mm
Weight: 6.1kg
Finish: black, silver
Year: 1980

This Technics RS-M45 is available for just $375. As always, contact me if you’d like to buy this beauty.

Beautiful Harman/Kardon TD4200 Transcription Quality Cassette Deck

Check out this beautiful, recently serviced Harman/Kardon TD4200 cassette deck, kindly donated by a customer and newly listed for sale.

The Harman/Kardon TD4200 was a very popular deck back in the day and one of the last decent decks H/K made. This transcription quality deck is very nicely put together and has great specifications.

In terms of service and operation, I’ve cleaned and demagnetised the tape path, calibrated the playback speed, serviced the drive belt, drivetrain and motor.

This stunning and nearly flawless machine now works perfectly but for peace of mind, she comes with a 90-day warranty and can be yours for just $275.

From Cassette Deck.Org:

The Harman Kardon TD4200 is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B and C noise reduction. It was introduced by Harman Kardon in 1990 with a manufacturer suggested retail price of USD $329 and discontinued 5 years later in 1995.

The main features of the Harman Kardon TD4200 are: 2 heads, electronic linear tape counter with 4 digits, automatic tape type selection with support for normal, chrome and metal tapes, belt driven single-capstan transport.

Full-logic transport controls used on the TD4200 let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection. Dolby C-type used in the TD4200 provides 20 dB of noise reduction above about 1,000 Hz, doubling the amount given by B-type.

Specifications, thanks to HiFi Engine:

Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck
Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.75 cm/s
Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: 1 x reel, 1 x capstan
Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal
Noise Reduction: B, C
Signal to Noise Ratio: 70dB  (dolby C)
Wow and Flutter: 0.05%
Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.5%
Dimensions: 442 x 126 x 320mm
Weight: 5.4kg

This quality cassette deck can be yours for just $295.

Look at this stunning Sony MDS-JA30ES Minidisc Player

The MDS-JA30ES was Sony’s second from the top of the line minidisc player and an absolute beauty.

This one is from my personal collection and is in as close to pristine condition as you’ll find. I’ve just given her a full mechanical service, new drive belt, cleaned and lubed the loader and replaced several capacitors in the power supply.

Specifications, courtesy HiFi Engine:

Type: Minidisc Player/Recorder
Track System: 2-channel stereo
Optical Pickup: KMS-210A/J-N
Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz
Frequency Response: 5Hz to 20kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: 104dB
Analogue Inputs: 125mV (line)
Analogue Outputs: 2.0V (line)
Digital Inputs: coaxial, optical
Digital Outputs: optical
Dimensions: 430 x 125 x 345mm
Weight: 9.3kg
Accessories: remote control
Year: 1997

There is a problem though, this MDS-JA30ES no longer reliably reads discs. This is a common problem amongst Sony mini-disc players of this era. Sometimes she reads and plays a disc perfectly, other times not.

It most likely just needs a new laser. These are hard to come by and sadly this means that this stunning machine is sold for parts or project work only. She also comes with a pristine remote control. Offers welcome on this one!

Raytheon 5703WB ‘Trivistor’ Vacuum Tubes

Many of you will have seen my articles and videos on the iconic Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 Tube DAC. If you need a set of 5703WB vacuum tubes for yours, look no further than these beautiful tubes.

I have 50 – now approx 40  Raytheon 5703WB vacuum tubes available for sale, all from the same production batch. This is the mil-spec triode tube used in the class-A output buffer of the Tri-Vista 21, Tri-Vista SACD Player, the Tri-Vista 300 Integrated Amplifier and others.

These NOS Raytheon 5703W tubes from a batch made in December 1979 are a rare find. Many others I’ve seen are later examples, in tatty boxes, sometimes even used! Remember, with NOS tubes, the older the better, generally speaking.

All boxes are intact and in excellent to perfect condition. All tubes are NOS, never used, in perfect condition.

Grab a pristine NOS set for your Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 or other project whilst these early date code units are available. Keep them tucked away for when you need them – if you own equipment that uses them, you will eventually need to replace them.

Priced at just $20 AUD per tube, less in bulk orders of 10 or more. Remember, these are NOS tubes from the same 12/1979 batch.