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Repair:
Replaced Loading Belts
Clean Laser
At USD199, this Magnavox CDC-552 5-disc CD changer sits right at fair market value for a working used unit—I've seen serviced examples list new-old-stock at that exact price from specialty hi-fi shops, while tested vintage players on resale sites hover between USD150-250 depending on cosmetics and play hours. It's no steal unless it's pristine with the original box, but not overpriced for a Philips-badged '90s spinner with that smooth carousel mechanism.
Before biting, verify the laser assembly tracks reliably across all five slots—common failure on these after 30 years is pickup wear causing skips or no-read errors. Confirm the remote is included (essential for random play) and test drawer operation; sticky mechanisms from disuse can jam without a lube job.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Magnavox traces its origins to 1911 in Napa, California, where inventors Peter L. Jensen and Edwin Pridham, operating initially as the Commercial Wireless and Development Company, pioneered the world's first moving-coil loudspeaker in 1915. Named Magnavox—Latin for "Great Voice"—this breakthrough allowed a single human voice to reach an entire town, marking a pivotal moment in audio history. The company formalized in 1917 after merging with Sonora Phonograph Distributing, evolving through innovations like the first all-electric tone arm in 1916 and single-dial radio in 1923, under leaders such as Frank Freimann during its mid-century "glory years."
Historically focused on loudspeakers and pioneering consumer electronics, Magnavox expanded into phonographs, radios, televisions, and phono/filmstrip projectors like the Illustravox. Its legacy includes the 1972 Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game console, alongside early plasma displays and Navy-grade speakers. Today, under Curtis International Ltd. since 2025, it emphasizes budget-friendly home appliances and electronics, though specific modern hi-fi categories like amplifiers, turntables, or DACs remain less prominently detailed.
Magnavox holds a revered position as a vintage pioneer in American audio, celebrated by collectors for its foundational loudspeaker patents and mid-20th-century dominance in TVs and radios from Fort Wayne, Indiana plants. No longer a high-end or boutique contender, it occupies mid-tier, accessible territory in today's market, its innovative heritage preserved by dedicated associations while evoking nostalgia for hi-fi enthusiasts.
See all Magnavox listings on RADAR.
