Accuphase DP-70 Review (CD Player)

[Jole]

Godzila from 1987

 

[NTTY]

The build quality of this Accuphase CD player looks phenomenal and its finish is gorgeous.

By the way, is the maker of the RCA and XLR jacks identifiable ? They seem to be of very high quality.

The copper plate to form the common of the output RCA jacks is frequently seen in other Japanese disc players from Sony or Marantz.

XLR yes, they are ITT Cannon XLB 32. But I don't know for the RCA which are also used in the other devices I have from them, and from the same period:

 

[motoret]

Thank you @NTTY for this work.
I imagine the Accuphase managers saying to the engineers at the time "Go ahead and create the best CD player in this planet, no compromise whatsoever. Period."

​

 

[Mart68]

The 1980s were the true Golden Age of hi-fi, if you had the money. I didn't.

Thanks for the review, very interesting and informative. I didn't expect the Accuphase to be as good as it is.

 

[Mart68]

Ypu can buy 100s of SMSL, and if it breaks buy another brand which would be better than SMSL over the period with the money of Accuphase. Anyday I would choose something that has value over brand names.

If you bought the Accuphase new in 1987 you'd have had 38 years of service out of it and it's still working to spec even now.

Added to which it's a constant pleasure to own and use due to the cosmetics and the exceptional build quality.

How is that not good value?

 

[VientoB]

If you bought the Accuphase new in 1987 you'd have had 38 years of service out of it and it's still working to spec even now.

Added to which it's a constant pleasure to own and use due to the cosmetics and the exceptional build quality.

How is that not good value?

I'm not sure what its price would be equivalent to in today's money. But I'd say it was out of reach for most people!

 

[AndreaT]

At a small fraction of the cost, the SMSL PL200 of today offers way better measurements and a comparable (at least on the outside) build quality. One reason to consider here and now the Gold Age of Digital. Thank you for the excellent review, beautiful pics, and thoughtful comments, @NTTY !!

 

[AndreaT]

And BTW the Accuphase DP-75 in 2000 sold for a cool $ 11k. https://www.stereophile.com/content/accuphase-dp-75v-cd-player-specifications

 

[Svensson]

Ypu can buy 100s of SMSL, and if it breaks buy another brand which would be better than SMSL over the period with the money of Accuphase. Anyday I would choose something that has value over brand names.

I understand. My 2024 MG car outperforms 80's Ferrari's for 0-60, has 5 seats, great infotainment system etc. ;-)

 

[BeeKay]

Wi

And BTW the Accuphase DP-75 in 2000 sold for a cool $ 11k. https://www.stereophile.com/content/accuphase-dp-75v-cd-player-specifications

Would be ≈ $20,700 today

 

[Sokel]

At a small fraction of the cost, the SMSL PL200 of today offers way better measurements and a comparable (at least on the outside) build quality.

It was a couple SMSL's we saw rust, even brand new or am I mistaken them for some other gear?
Comparable to what? I think SMSL is not even full size gear, looks tiny to me at the pics.

Cost is always through time.

 

[Juhazi]

XLR connectors are not Canon, but

https://www.ittcannon.com/

https://www.ittcannon.com/about/1910s-bold-innovator

 

[Sokel]

XLR connectors are not Canon, but

https://www.ittcannon.com/

https://www.ittcannon.com/about/1910s-bold-innovator

My memory doesn't spell right as it seems.

 

[NTTY]

I would love for you to test my trusty Sony X707ES player, which is also built like a tank. However, I think shipping this 36 pound player over to Switzerland doesn't make much sense! Thanks for continuing your reviews, it's interesting to see the hits and misses of yesteryear.

That would be unreasonable indeed, but expect best in class results of the time.

 

[NTTY]

Just a gorgeous piece of gear. I have to imagine that the price in 1987 had to be eye watering. Probably $4k or more.

It was three times the price of the Sony CDP-707ESD which was at $1800

But it is obviously a quality piece, and, for its intended purpose of rendering Red Book CDs, its performance holds up even today. Great review on a terrific vintage piece, NTTY.

Thanks

Now imagine having one of their incredibly beautiful and performant integrated amps to place in the equipment rack with it.

Since there’s a variable output, I’m tempted to…

 

[Mart68]

I'm not sure what its price would be equivalent to in today's money. But I'd say it was out of reach for most people!

A brand new DP-450 is around £4K GBP so about that I'd guess. It's a lot but when you consider you'll likely get 40 years use out of it (if you're still young enough!) that's only a tenner a year.

Not saying the strategy of buying a cheap SMSL instead is wrong especially if you really don't care about the aesthetics but I know which approach I'd rather take.

 

[Crosstalk]

I understand. My 2024 MG car outperforms 80's Ferrari's for 0-60, has 5 seats, great infotainment system etc. ;-)

Not a right comparison. In terms of sportiness the Ferrari still would ride like a Ferrari, which is it’s use case. Sound reproduction is the function of cd player and if you look for every metric in that area, SMSL Just eats the acvupahase. One must be an idiot to spend money on gear like Accuphase these days in a world where topping and SMSL rule.

 

[LuCar]

Reading this review put a smile on my face. It’s great how much care and joy you put into both the testing and the write-up. Thank you!

 

[thehague]

Speechless! Thank you for your elaborate and eloquent review.

 

[diddley]

Flo, thank you for your effort and wonderfull written review, I enjoyed it.