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The Sony CDP-C89ES was a high-end top-of-the-line 5-disc carousel CD changer introduced around 1992, part of Sony's prestigious Elevated Standard (ES) series. It featured premium build quality, an optical digital output, and sophisticated, reliable mechanics, and small touches like copper screws, making it a desirable unit for vintage audio collectors and listeners. This unit is in Excellent condition. This unit also includes an aftermarket remote (non-Sony) that works with it.Frequency Response: 2Hz-20kHzSignal to Noise Ratio (S/N): 115dBDynamic Range: >100dBTotal Harmonic Distortion: <0.0020%Channel Separation: >110dBService History: No service records were included from the prior owner. Here at the shop we did routine testing, cleaning and inspection.Cosmetic Condition: Overall we rated this at Excellent.In the Milwaukee Area? Stop in our shop to inspect/demoSee our feedback and thank you for considering. All the gear we sell is packaged with great care for safe arrival in the condition advertised.
Compared with the usual alternative at US$700—a newer, more ordinary changer or a mid-tier single-disc deck—this is strongly ambitious for a used carousel player. The closest market anchors I can find put the similar CDP-C85ES around US$199, while the CDP-C89ES was a top-end ES model with a reported US$1,600 MSRP, so the ask is above what many used ES changers trade for unless this one is exceptionally clean, complete, and freshly serviced.
That said, it’s a worthwhile buy for someone who wants a flagship-era Sony ES changer: sturdy build, wood side panels, and the sort of transport/laser package that made these models well liked for convenience and sound. The upside is real if the unit is original, quiet, and includes the remote, but at this price I’d want proof of reliable loading, disc switching, and skip-free playback, since older carousel mechanics and belts are the usual age-related issue.
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.
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