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• Cosmetic condition as in the photos. • 30 days Global OPT Warranty. • Video demo available. • Worldwide shipping with careful packaging. • For an extended warranty, please contact us before payment.
Technical Info:
Model: Sony CDP-S42
Device type: Compact CD Player
Origin of this unit: Japan
Digital-to-Analog Converter: Burr Brown PCM69AP (18-bit)
Laser mechanism: Sony KSS-240A
Form factor: Compact midi-size chassis
🎙️ Time That Still Sounds Alive
Close your eyes and return to the golden age of real audio. This was the era when equipment was built not only to play music, but to become part of the room, part of the ritual, and part of the owner’s taste. Sony CDP-S42 represents that feeling — mechanical presence, honest controls, and the kind of analog character modern disposable electronics simply cannot copy.
🎧 What you get beyond the sound
The Sony CDP-S42 combines Japanese engineering with a classic compact midi form factor, making it ideal for desktop setups, compact audio racks, or dedicated headphone stations. Powered by the renowned Burr Brown PCM69AP 18-bit architecture, it delivers musical, natural digital-to-analog conversion paired with the robust Sony KSS-240A laser transport mechanism.
This is more than a used vintage device. A unit in this condition has already passed a long journey: it was selected, inspected, prepared, and photographed honestly so the buyer can understand exactly what is being purchased. Many similar units online may be cheaper, but they may also be dusty, incomplete, unserviced, cosmetically weaker, or sold without proper testing.
🧠 Collector’s / Model Note
The CDP-S42 belongs to Sony's high-grade compact component lineup from the 1990s. Renowned among vintage audio enthusiasts for integrating the sought-after Burr Brown dual 18-bit DAC rather than standard 1-bit chips, it offers enduring collector appeal and genuine Japanese build quality.
⚙️ Technical Information:
Model: Sony CDP-S42
Production / Origin: Japan
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📝 Product Description
The first image is an AI-generated promotional visual and may differ from the actual item.
All subsequent photos are part of the description and show the actual item and its condition.
Demonstration tapes, reels, records, or accessories shown for demonstration purposes are not included unless explicitly stated.
Please check the voltage requirements in your area; Adapter not included.
👉 Warranty and Service
Includes a 30-day global OPT warranty.
You will receive a product and packaging inspection video before shipping.
Repairs, maintenance, and extended warranties are available upon request.
📦 Shipping
Shipping within 2-3 business days after payment.
A tracking number will be provided.
Standard shipping takes approximately 10 business days.
Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer.
🌍 Worldwide Shipping
I have 20 years of experience shipping delicate vintage audio equipment worldwide.
If your country is not listed, please contact me for shipping options.
🔄 Exchange Options
Equipment purchased from us can be exchanged.
⭐ Feedback
Your satisfaction is important. Please contact me if you have any questions before leaving feedback.
📩 Contact Me
My goal is to make your purchase comfortable and secure at every stage. Feel free to ask any questions; I usually respond within 24 hours..
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🙏 Thank you!
— Igor ORT
This is a fair ask, though not a bargain: USD 199 sits well above the supplied market median of USD 115, but remains below the USD 229 75th percentile. The premium needs to be justified by genuinely excellent condition, a working warranty, and complete accessories—especially the remote.
The CDP-S42 is a nicely specified compact Sony, with dual DAC circuitry, a headphone output with volume control, and the respected KSS-240A pickup. Its small footprint and straightforward line-level output make it an appealing second-system or desktop player, while the “rare” angle is a pleasant bonus rather than a reason alone to overpay. At this price, insist on a proper test with several discs, including later tracks, and confirm the drawer, display, remote, and headphone output all work reliably.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
See all Sony listings on RADAR.
