SONY CDP-557ESD

Commentary

ES series CD player developed as a new-generation reference machine.

The digital filter uses a newly developed IC (CXD1144) with an 8 x oversampling 18-bit digital filter.
This newly developed digital filter has an extremely high-order 293 order preserving in salt capability, and achieves an in-band ripple characteristic of ± 0.00001 dB and an attenuation of 120 dB or more in the stopband. As a result, the generation of echo components caused by ripple can be suppressed to a negligible level. In particular, the reproducibility of the rising of a single sound of piano is improved.
In addition, by increasing the sampling frequency from 44.1 kHz to 352.8 kHz by 8 times over sampling, the quantization noise in the audio band can be greatly reduced. At the same time, the distance between the music signal component and the unnecessary high-frequency component has been expanded to 332.8 kHz. Thus, the cutoff characteristics of the low-pass filter after D/A conversion can be relaxed, further improving the group delay characteristics.

The D/A converter uses an 18-bit linear dual D/A converter.
This makes it possible to take full advantage of the information density of the 18-bit output of the 8-times oversampling digital filter and to make full use of the effect of greatly reducing quantization noise. In addition, since D/A conversion of music signal components close to the unnecessary noise level is performed with 4 times the resolution of the conventional method, the conversion accuracy can be greatly improved. These improvements greatly improve the linearity for small-level signals.
In addition, the phase shift between channels is eliminated by making the left and right channels independent of each other in a dual configuration.

A newly developed aluminum die-cast base unit is adopted for the base unit which is the base of the optical system mechanism, and the trace stability is improved by effectively suppressing unnecessary vibration. In addition, the entire base unit is made into a floating structure by double suspension containing high viscoelastic gel rich in vibration absorption, and the effect of external vibration is strictly eliminated.

The pickup section has no transmission mechanism such as gears, and uses a linear motor tracking mechanism that enables high-speed access with extremely quiet operation.

A mechanical block, which tends to be a source of vibration inside the player, is attached to a G (Gibraltar) base and then firmly fixed to the chassis. This G base material contains calcium carbonate with the same composition as marble, added to a special resin and reinforced with glass fiber. This material is the same as that used in the ES series amplifier chassis. It has the features of extremely high rigidity and excellent vibration damping characteristics, and it is easy to tune from the shape and acoustic aspect.
This reduces the transmission and resonance of vibrations that degrade sound quality.

In consideration of the effect of sound pressure radiated from the speakers, a damper made of special rubber material is installed in the opening of the front panel where the disk tray is stored to improve airtightness when the tray is stored, thereby blocking even slight air vibrations.

The chassis is divided into two parts by the mechanical block, power supply and circuit system. The two parts are completely separated by the copper-plated internal chassis, which reduces magnetostriction. In addition, the openings through which wiring material passes between the mechanical system, power supply and circuit system are sealed with special resin to prevent transmission of even slight air vibrations.
The addition, the basic chassis is double-layered with copper plating.

It uses a taper chucking method that absorbs the eccentricity due to the error of the center hole of the disk and keeps it within a negligible range.

The servo circuit is equipped with S Servo II, which is an improved version of S Servo.
The operating principle of the S servo is that the RF-IC detects signal drop-out caused by scratches or dirt, calculates the timing of the next drop-out based on the rotation cycle of the disk, and optimally controls the servo amount of both tracking and focus servo circuits just before the drop-out to minimize the occurrence of errors.
The S Servo II performs even more precise predictive control of the servo amount. The prediction time accuracy is improved from 1/8,000 second to 1/10,000 second. Moreover, by supporting CLV (constant linear velocity), this accuracy is maintained at any position inside and outside the disk. Compared to the method in which the servo amount is controlled after the drop-out occurs, the trace stability is improved and the disturbance of the servo current is greatly reduced.

The analog low-pass filter uses a 3rd-order GIC low-pass filter that only allows the music signal to pass through a resistor.
The analog circuit has a twin-mono configuration that follows the signal flow and eliminates the phase shift and mutual interference between channels from the root. In addition, the circuit configuration has been greatly simplified by incorporating digital filters. In addition, the MOS gate transfer method is used for digital data transmission to the analog system to prevent data current from entering the analog system ground, thereby eliminating the cause of sound quality degradation.

Two power transformers are installed in the power supply section, and the digital and analog systems are completely separated from the transformer stage to eliminate mutual interference.

It is equipped with a digital processing soft muting circuit, and it prevents click noise by instantly muting when the performance stops or poses are operated.

It has two digital outputs, coaxial and optical, with a time axis correction latch located just before the coaxial digital output to more strictly eliminate the fine jitter component.
Equipped with a digital / analog output changeover switch to prevent mutual interference.

There are two analog outputs, fixed and variable.

Equipped with line-out volume for headphone output as well.
These volumes can be controlled by remote control and are motor-driven when the volume is adjusted by remote control.

A custom file function is included as a new function.
This function allows the CD player to store up to 226 titles of music information and messages input by the listener for each disc. Each time a disc is replaced, the CD player automatically identifies which disc it is, recalls the memory, displays messages for each disc, and plays the disc according to the performance information.
Custom files have three functions : disk memos, custom indexes, and program banks. You can file disk notes and either custom indexes or program banks.
Disk Memo allows you to enter your own message up to 10 characters per disk.
The custom index can be set up to a maximum of 6 points per disk. To set the index, press the FILE button during playback to specify the point.
The program bank can store up to 20 program performance functions.
By memory backup, stored contents are retained even when power is turned off.

It uses a glass-epoxy ES substrate with independent digital and analog circuits, a high-quality operational amplifier for the output amplifier, and carefully selected parts such as OFC wire for the audio signal system.
In addition, large ceramic insulators are mounted on the legs.

Equipped with a program edit function, editing program can be done for each A/B side of the tape at one time.

It has a delete shuffle function that allows you to shuffle and play only your favorite songs.

Wireless remote control is included.

Model Rating

Type	CD Player
Reading system	Non-contact optical reading (using semiconductor laser)
Laser	GaAlAs double hetero diode
Number of revolutions	200 ~ 500 rpm (CLV)
Playing speed	1.2m/s ~ 1.4m/s (constant)
Error correction method	Sony Super Strategy Cross Interleaved Read-Solomon Code
Number of channels	2 Channel
Frequency characteristic	2 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.3 dB
Total harmonic distortion factor	0.0015% or less (EIAJ)
Dynamic range	100 dB or more (EIAJ)
Wow and flutter	Below the measurement limit (± 0.001% W. peak) (EIAJ)
Output level	2 vrms (MSB, Fixed) 2 Vrms ~ 0 V (MSB, Variable)
Digital output	Coaxial : 0.5Vp-p/75 Ω Optical : 660 nm (emission wavelength)
Headphone output level	28 mw (32 Ω)
Power consumption	18W
External dimensions	Width 430x Height 125x Depth 375 mm With sidewood : 470 mm width
Weight	18.5 kg (Including Side Wood)
Attachment	Wireless Remote Control RM-D650