What is my 26 year old Philips CD960 worth?

[Mellow7]

Just wondering what it's worth and any tips to fix the following problems:

CD drawer drive belts went slack, got a replacement set from US and installed myself - it worked perfectly until I put the player back together and still requires a helping hand - I have attached a non-damaging pull tab to a screw at the base of the drawer, but any other ideas welcome.

Also, what is really annoying is that the previously bright and clear display stopped working the moment I reassembled the player, despite the fact that I went nowhere near it. You can still read the display in dim light conditions. It is bound to be simply a dry joint but I just don't know where to look.

However, neither of these issues has any effect on the way it sounds, which is mellow and warm - ok may miss some of the detail with modern players but there are a few fan sites on the web that rave about it.

It was the top reference model and cost £600 in 1986 - I got it for £250 off a mate seriously into hifi a year later (he regrets selling it to me to this day!) and there is one on the web listed at £1100 Euros that cosmetically is not as good as mine. But it has been for sale a long time...

Cheers,

Greg

[maxfan]

HI YA
serious dosh I sold a philips cd 880 and achieved £280 on it
The 960 was a very well thought out model and should with a clear description and good pics do well on e bay.
The guy who bought mine was an enthusiast who buys/ repairs etc sells them on in the far east ( he was based in basingstoke area ) I will contct him on e bay if you wish and foreward your e mail details onto him if it helps ?

[Mellow7]

maxfan said:

HI YA
serious dosh I sold a philips cd 880 and achieved £280 on it
The 960 was a very well thought out model and should with a clear description and good pics do well on e bay.
The guy who bought mine was an enthusiast who buys/ repairs etc sells them on in the far east ( he was based in basingstoke area ) I will contct him on e bay if you wish and foreward your e mail details onto him if it helps ?

Cheers Maxfan,

You obviously know what I mean! I found a Polish website that raves about the machine. Prior to trying to fix it, it had been idle for about 7 years when I replaced it with a Sony DVP - NS900V (another under rated macnine) as I wanted all in one DVD and SACD playback through an Arcam AV200 amp and B & W 5 speaker system (floor standers did away with the need for a sub).

When I realised how good it was, I linked it up to the system (for the first time) and wow! OK less detail, missed quite a few subtleties actually, but what it did play sounded stunning, with real punch and control to the base.

It has remote (with original batteries!) and manuals. What I have lost are the transit bolts to lock the laser mechanism, hence collection would be preferred.

Although if I can get the display fixed I may still keep it as it's only going up in value now.

Please pass on my details.

Cheers,

Greg

[clived]

The reason these players are still valuable is that they use the TDA1541 DAC which has acheived legendary status over the years. Just the straight non crown version in the 960, but it's electronically the same as my Marantz CD94 which is another sought after machine. When you opened it up, where all the capacitors looking ok - no leaks etc.?

[Mellow7]

clived said:

The reason these players are still valuable is that they use the TDA1541 DAC which has acheived legendary status over the years. Just the straight non crown version in the 960, but it's electronically the same as my Marantz CD94 which is another sought after machine. When you opened it up, where all the capacitors looking ok - no leaks etc.?

Hi Clived,

Everything looked all ok inside the machine and no sign of any leaks. It was a bit dusty but I carefully hoovered it out (turned the brush off my floor stander ) and all was still working fine. I am reluctant to take it to bits completely - I have already lost a screw somewhere inside which I will need to fish out. I am one of those people who likes to take things apart to see how they work - blame Tamiya RC kits as a kid, but I don't want to mess around with lasers etc. The display only stopped working when I stood the machine on it's side, but after several attempts over many hours and the classic "my finger tips are hurting" feeling, I gave up.

I'll post a few pics soon.

[maxfan]

I am sending you an e mail op
If I am honest I got the cd880 as it sounded great and was a fair bit cheaper than the 960 it also looked better.
I did replace it with a Meridian 206B which I still have and love

[Mellow7]

Update!!!

Just spent most of the afternoonm in Audio T in Cardiff listening to my "fully functioning" Phillips CD960 complete with slick action CD transport and vivid display (£85 all in - not too bad). Tried it out against several newer and costly replacements I was considering and it blew everything away up to £3k in value including a Naim Audio 2, and got better still through an Audiolab MDAC!

I was amazed, Audio T weren't. Fair enough, the detail is lacking and may appear a little dull but the controlled bass is a joy and it's so easy on the ear - everything sounded harsh in comparison.

So, on their advice, I'll keep it, and get a standalone streamer and perhaps a DAC. The one on Ebay is still there for 1100 Euros if anyone is feeling brave

[daveydave7]

If you add a DAC you will though change the dynamics of the audio anyway ?
You could end up changing the thing you love about it

[Mellow7]

daveydave7 said:

If you add a DAC you will though change the dynamics of the audio anyway ?
You could end up changing the thing you love about it

Cheers Dave,

I know what you mean, but while the Philips sounded great on it's own, all the qualities that made it sound good were amplified by the MDAC - I asked why and was told it was all down to the solid diecast transport and related attention to detail.

All I know is that it sounded damn good...

[daveydave7]

So sorry my fault missed the bit about the MDAC
Sorry

[telecat]

If you like the Audiolab MDAC I'd also look at the Chord QuteHD DAC. Whereas the MDAC is based an implementation of the SABRE ESS chip the Chord is UK built and uses a software DAC running on some very powerful Computer Chips, (Xilinx FPGA's for those interested). Price wise it is currently just under £1K. The only drawback is that it has no display and no switches, on the other hand it can accept DSD (SACD files), via it's USB input.

[mikef]

Hmm, I wonder whether my 30 year old Sony CDP101 (the first ever commercial CD player) is worth anything to a collector?

[daveydave7]

Yes
I would assume so

[mikef]

Any way to gauge the value other than stick it on eBay, which is always hit and miss?