Accuphase DP-70 Review (CD Player)

[PJR918BMW]

I think the author needs to get out more..... only joking!

I have zero interest in CD's but the engineering and attention to detail in these devices is just fantastic. From back in the day when the very best was built to achieve an impossible goal. I dont know why but this sort of stuff reminds me of Concorde and thereby the Art of the Engineer.

 

[dualazmak]

Just for all of your reference (and possible interests?)
The latest ACCUPHASE DP-1000 and DC-1000

 

[BeeKay]

I will probably never own one, as their bang for the buck ratio does not work for me. But I will always be a fan of this company and their attitude.

 

[Mart68]

I will probably never own one, as their bang for the buck ratio does not work for me.

I was never really at the point where I had enough money that I felt I could afford to indulge in Accuphase. Because that's what it is, an indulgence.

If I had, I certainly would.

I mean you don't even have to be using it, you could be watching TV and you can just look over at the rack of Accuphase and say 'Ah!'.

Some don't get that it seems, but for us '80s kids this was the pinnacle - along with the top tier Sony stuff.

 

[NTTY]

Just for all of your reference (and possible interests?)
The latest ACCUPHASE DP-1000 and DC-1000

If the company wants to send me one for testing, I’ll be cooperative

 

[NTTY]

I think the author needs to get out more..... only joking!

I drove hundreds of miles for this one, as the previous owner would not send it. This trip alone, to reach the absolute middle of nowhere and meet a very friendly person, is something that will remained printed in my memory as much as some ICs showing Accuphase on them

I have zero interest in CD's but the engineering and attention to detail in these devices is just fantastic. From back in the day when the very best was built to achieve an impossible goal. I dont know why but this sort of stuff reminds me of Concorde and thereby the Art of the Engineer.

Indeed, opening one of these is an adventure, it tells a story, an engineering one. I love it.

 

[dualazmak]

Indeed, opening one of these is an adventure, it tells a story, an engineering one. I love it.

Fully agree, and I am (we are) truly fascinated/excited seeing your wonderful endeavors and continuing adventurous journey!

 

[Nopiano]

If the company wants to send me one for testing, I’ll be cooperative

They seem reluctant to publish prices. I’m guessing it’s more than $15,000! Do you know?

dCS Vivaldi is probably the closest by a non-Japanese manufacturer. But it has so many boxes!

Vivaldi - The Pioneer | dCS

The Vivaldi represents the pinnacle of our uncompromising approach to design. With a dedicated DAC, upsampler, clock and CD/SACD transport, it separates the core aspects of the playback process to present a transcendent experience that is both precise and profound.

dcsaudio.com

 

[sceptical1]

Indeed, opening one of these is an adventure, it tells a story, an engineering one. I love it.

It's the leaded solder that gets me excited. Soooo shiny.

 

[Scytales]

If the company wants to send me one for testing, I’ll be cooperative

The "MDSD principle block diagram" and associated text description of the theory of operation for DSD playback describe an identical way of operation than the one Philips/Marantz designed at the end of the 1990s for the very first SACD player of the group, the Marantz SA-1, except the conversion was done on four channels with two stereo DACs (Philips TDA1547) per channel and not 8, as in the Accuphase. Old idea.

 

[Scytales]

It's the leaded solder that gets me excited. Soooo shiny.

Yes, the quality of craftsmanship, the soldering amongst other things, in this player is what really deserves admiration.

 

[TurtlePaul]

Just for all of your reference (and possible interests?)
The latest ACCUPHASE DP-1000 and DC-1000

It kills me that this is there current model and yet the styling looks like it is straight out of the late 1970s. I guess this cherry and gold motif hasn't wrapped around to be retro-popular again yet like the McIntosh green gothic styling.

It is difficult to believe that it is possible to make a CD/SACD transport cost $25k. What can come out of a digital coax that possibly is worth that price? I get that these are veblen goods but this just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Thank you great work...buts Whats a CD player....just kidding

 

[Purité Audio]

CDs were the playback medium that wasn’t as good as vinyls.
But was for a time better than streaming, however ripping your CDs made them almost as good as streaming, now streaming is better than Cd but not as good as vinyls.
Keith

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Ferrari makes good cars.

In the past, a friend lent me his Ferrari 355 F1 for a weekend: I would have kept it... if he had paid me for the fuel for each fill-up !

 

[pma]

CDs were the playback medium that wasn’t as good as vinyls.

You’re serious???

 

[Svensson]

A more suitable comparison is a 198X 1000HP Ferrari testarossa Koenig.
That's what Accuphase resembles and the production year is close as well.

(God, I made car analogy!)

As analogies go, we are with you.

 

[BeeKay]

CDs were the playback medium that wasn’t as good as vinyls.
But was for a time better than streaming, however ripping your CDs made them almost as good as streaming, now streaming is better than Cd but not as good as vinyls.
Keith

 

[Vintage02]

Another excellent presentation of exceptional equipment!!...
The reputation for the quality of Accuphase's design, engineering, and manufacturing is not a myth, it is real, and your review proves it to us despite the four decades of this device. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.

 

[Fdr186]

5 million Italian liras street price at 1990.
If someone can calculate it for today...

Istat Rivaluta tells us that 5.000.000 italian liras from January 1990 are worth 6.034,80 Euro in January 2025 (11.685.000 Liras: appreciation factor 2,337)