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Sony CDP-597 - CD Players - Good
Why This One
Good condition — clearly used but works as it should
Fully tested — all applicable functions verified working
45-bit noise-shaping DAC delivers 105 dB SNR and 0.003% THD distortion.
Comprehensive on-board edit suite rarely found on players at this price point.
Condition: Good
This Sony CDP-597 is a good-condition CD player. It has passed our 7-point functional test, with 1 item(s) not applicable to this unit. Please review all photos carefully, as they provide an accurate representation of the cosmetic condition of the product.
What's Included
Sony CDP-597
No additional accessories included
About This Model
The Sony CDP-597 is a full-size CD player released in 1991, built around Sony's pulse D/A converter with a 45-bit noise-shaping digital filter (CXD2560) for clean, accurate playback. It delivers a signal-to-noise ratio of 105 dB or more and total harmonic distortion of 0.003% or less, with a flat frequency response from 2 Hz to 20 kHz. Outputs include fixed and variable line-level RCA, an optical digital output, and a headphone output. The CDP-597 is particularly well-specified for editing and dubbing use, offering peak search, time edit, just edit, link edit, program edit, time fade, variable fade, and manual fader functions alongside delete play, 99-track delete shuffle, music scan, auto-queue, and AutoSpace — making it a capable source unit for tape compilation or home studio work.
A great opportunity to own a Sony CDP-597 at this price point.
Generating expert take…
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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