Sony CDP XB720 QS cd player

Today we present you a very nice example of a "QS" series player. QS stands for Quality Standard. In the manufacturer terms, it means a series where the conception was not affected by cost-cutting or mass manufacturing requirements. Will it be a Marantz model, it will be named Special Edition…

What is QS? Better materials (use of aluminium instead of plastic for some parts, copper bridging at critical points…), selected higher grade components, heavier mass parts where needed. Sony was not very fluent about a model per model detailed comparison chart between standard and higher grade, but you got the picture. Past this, the useful commands like the rolling jog "AMS" is there and useful for fluid interface navigation.

As you can imagine these QS commanded a premium for their quality and are not to be found at every corner these days. So as we had an opportunity listening to a good one… here is this 1998 example.

Our review will be divided in two parts, because probably you won't consider plugging this kind of quality reader straightaway to your amp.

The transport: it's above the pack. The lens tray does the job and feels solid, above anything in this price range. And it's sturdy; throw any recorded cd-rw if you like, it will not be picky with it.

The sound quality. It's a very good analog contender with a fairly nice DAC inside. And in this range, Sony experienced its Digital Filtering feature. Most of the Hi-Fi press noticed improvement, depending on the recording. The magazine "Stereo" published an article in 1999 quoting "Especially with the Digital filter in position 2, this machine outperforms everything in its price range and even touches reference models rendition". Details, punch, balance, smoothness are there.

But if you compile our transport and sound opinion, as you will have optical, digital and rca outputs, this item will be fantastic plugged to a good, musical DAC.

And as you may sit for long listening sessions, the original remote will keep you relaxed.