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A fine specimen of a Vintage CD player.Made in Belgium.Coaxial output if you prefer to use an external DAC but many will opt for the internal dual TDA1541 DAC chips. As for RCA outputs, the CDB650 has two sets, but I think the manufacturer intended for the user to pick one set and not use both simultaneously. The first set of RCA jacks offer a warm, vintage sound. That output is then processed through additional filters to supply the sound to the second set of outputs. I generally prefer the first set, but the best bet is to try both and go with the one you like better.The transport is the venerable and highly sought after Philips CDM-2, swing arm transport. The combination makes for a really good sounding player.As far as I know, this unit has NEVER BEEN MODIFIED, but it might be a good candidate if someone wanted to "audiophile" it. No remote. Unit has a few minor blemishes as would be expected based on its age. Please look at the photos. I've tried to point out those blemishes.No Remote.Please let me know if you have any questions.
At USD198, this CDB650 sits at the ambitious end for a clean used example, as typical market listings hover around USD100-150 depending on condition and location. The TDA1541 DAC draws nostalgia seekers, but without pristine mechanics or mods, it's not a screaming bargain—comparable Philips-era players often go cheaper unless video-proven flawless.
Buyers should verify laser functionality and disc drawer smoothness first, as these 1980s Philips mechanisms wear out and can stutter on reads after decades. Check for original remote and manual too; missing bits cut usability, and recap the power supply if it's been sitting long.
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.
