Sony CDP-605ESD CD-player Review

Sony’s ES series of reference standard CD players consists of three models incorporating the latest technological advances from the Sony Research Laboratories. These advances include a highly linear, high-speed 16-bit digital-to-analog (D/a) converter and a new large-scale integrated circuit for digital signal processing that incorporates a quadruple-oversampling digital filter.

All three ES players have dual d/a converters (one for each channel), discrete third-order analog low-pass filters with linear group-delay characteristics, and a number of proprietary circuit developments that reduce spurious signals and noise and improve the system’s error-correction capabilities. Separate power supplies are used for the analog and digital circuits, and in addition to the usual analog outputs, a digital output is provided for use with an external d/a converter.

The Sony CDP-605ESD is the middle unit in the ES series. Like the others, it is constructed on a heavy chassis using a rigid metal frame, high-density injection molding, a thick baseboard, and special isolating feet. The laser pickup, driven by Sony’s noncogging linear motor, is rated for access to any part of a disc in less than 1 second.

The CDP-605ESD has all of the usual CD player operating amenities. Its versatile and easy-to-use programming system can play up to twenty selections in any order, and a shuffle-play mode programs all the tracks of a disc in random order. An auto pause button places the machine in pause mode after each track, and auto space inserts a 3-second delay between tracks. The repeat function indefinitely repeats a selection, a disc, or a sequence. There is also a repeat count button that allows any of these to be repeated a selected number of times, from one to nine.

The front-panel display of the CDP-605ESD is exceptionally versatile. When a disc is loaded, it first shows the total number of tracks and total playing time on the disc, then switches to show the current track and index numbers and the elapsed time on the track. The time button switches this readout either to the remaining time on the current track or the number of unplayed tracks on the disc and their total time. Programming and direct track selection are done using the music calendar display, a grid of twenty numbered squares, and the corresponding matrix of twenty pushbuttons. Tracks above No. 20, up to No. 99, can be selected using the +10 button.

Below the track selectors are three play mode buttons, which are illuminated when engaged: continuous, to play a disc from beginning to end; single, to play one selected track; and program, for a sequence of tracks. Other buttons are used to check the programmed sequence and to clear program selections.

The rear apron of the CDP-605ESD contains the two analog output jacks and a two-channel digital output jack, which can be used with Sony’s external DAS-703ES D/A converter or with amplifiers that have built-in d/a converters. A slide switch adjacent to the digital jack connects the digital output and mutes the analog outputs.

The Sony CDP-605ESD is supplied with a wireless remote control that duplicates almost all of its front-panel functions. The player measures 17 inches wide, 13-1/2 inches deep, and 4-3/8 inches high, and it weighs about 18-1/2 pounds. Price: $ 1,000.

Lab Tests

The virtually perfect performance specifications of the CDP-605ESD turned out to be generally conservative, and for the most part checking them was barely within our measurement capability. For example, the rated harmonic distortion (at 0 dB) is 0.0025 percent, exactly what we measured. The signal-to-noise ratio (S/n) and the dynamic range, rated at more than 106 dB and 97 dB, respectively, measured as 108.5 and 99 dB. Channel separation at 1,000 Hz, rated as better than 100 dB, measured 126 dB (it was 104 dB at 20,000 Hz). The frequency response, which is rated as ±0.3 dB from 2 to 20,000 Hz, was a barely measurable ±0.025 dB in the audio range.

Added to this virtuoso performance were the closely matched output levels of the two channels, within 0.04 dB of each other at a 2.03-volt level, and an interchannel phase shift that was too low to measure with any accuracy at most frequencies, less than 0.7 degree from 1,000 to 10,000 Hz and only about 1.6 degrees at 20,000 Hz. Like most such circuits, the linearity of the d/a converter showed some errors at low signal levels: the output was down 1.8 dB at —90 dB and 2.3 dB at —100 dB. Considering the inaudibility of those program levels, however, these errors are nothing to worry about.

Like most recent CD players, the Sony CDP-605ESD had no difficulty tracking the largest calibrated errors on the Philips TS5A test disc, and it made the transition between two program tracks having no separation interval without a hitch. Sony’s fast-slewing laser carriage went from Track 1 to Track 15 of the Philips TS4 disc in less than 1.5 seconds—slightly slower than its rating because of a delayed startup of the program in Track 15. Going the other way, the slew time was less than 0.6 second.

One of the most outstanding properties of the CDP-605ESD is not easily quantified. It doesn’t care very much about how roughly it is handled while playing. We induced mistracking only with a hard open-palm slap on either the top or side of the cabinet. Rapping it with knuckles or fist didn’t seem to bother it at all.

Comments

Ho, hum! Another super CD player from Sony—the company makes it look easy. This machine’s response flatness, channel separation, and S/N were all absolutely terrific, near the limits of measurement. It was totally lacking in the occasional detectable, though hardly significant, flaws that we find in most of the CD players we test. If the Sony engineers have not quite achieved perfection with this product, they have certainly come very close to doing so.

All of the Sony player’s features worked with the silence, smoothness, and lack of surprises that we expect and appreciate from any piece of good audio equipment but, unfortunately, do not always find. Individual taste being what it is, no doubt some people will find things about this machine that they wish had been done a little differently. Frankly, though, it is hard to be very critical of something that performs like the CDP-605ESD. It is a gem.

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