The First CD Players

Do you remember...?

"The first CD players revolutionized the way people listened to music, marking a significant shift from analog to digital audio formats. Introduced in the early 1980s, these devices were cutting-edge technology at the time, offering users a new level of sound quality and convenience.

CD players were sleek and compact compared to bulky vinyl record players, making them more portable and easier to use. The emergence of CD players also led to the development of smaller, lightweight headphones, further enhancing the listening experience.

With the ability to skip tracks, program playlists, and provide crystal-clear sound, the first CD players paved the way for the modern digital music era we are familiar with today.

The sound quality of the first CD players was generally praised for its clarity and lack of background noise. Many listeners found the sound to be superior to that of vinyl records or cassette tapes. However, some audiophiles criticized the early CD players for sounding too "sterile" or lacking warmth compared to analog formats. Overall, the introduction of CD players marked a significant advancement in audio technology at the time."

The Technology of CD Recording and Replay

• A series of 0s and 1s! This was the first time that most of us ever heard this expression. A shiny plastic disc with a diameter of 120 mm that can store up to 80 minutes of audio.

• Studios started using the terms AAA, AAD, ADD and DDD. And some diehard audiophiles feared the consequences.

• Sampling Rate: CDs use a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, which means the audio signal is sampled 44,100 times per second. This 'high sampling rate' contributes to the CD's high-quality audio.

• Error Correction: CD players incorporate error correction techniques to ensure accurate playback even if the disc is scratched or damaged. This technology helped improve the durability of CDs.

And Where Are We Now?

Down the line we've known the good and bad of all these headlines. Vinyl never went away, studios slowly discovered the problems of digital recording and we all got stung by those software tools that could throw the baby out with the bath water. And commercialism of massive new markets has caused a lot of problems for the industry – from artists not getting paid to the smoke and mirrors of MQA.

Lately, I was horrified to find on Apple music, my favourite old Rush albums sounding, well, completely broken. Then I discovered they all had Geddy Lee's vocals separated out with some form of AI so that they could be faded in or out for a sing-along karaoke style. Even when you switch it off it sounds terrible. A long way back in time before I was any sort of audiophile, I bought Moving Pictures on cassette, and it sounded musically brilliant played on my original Sony Walkman Pro. But now, anyone just exploring out into the world of great rock, pop, or the classics on an iPhone with Apple Music – well I fear they will be lost forever.

But at the other end of the spectrum, proper digital hifi brands like Ideon and Grimm Audio are continuing to push the boundaries – so lets be thankful that we at least have a choice. That Sony CDP–101 sure did start something.

Do you remember the Sony CDP–101?