Yamaha CD-C805 - anyone know it?

[62vauxhall]

I also posted this on AK's Yamaha forum.

It's somewhat embarassing needing to ask a question about a Yamaha component because for 16 years I worked for an electronics retailer who's main line was Yamaha.

I just acquired a CD-C805 made in 1990 for $5 because the tray did not open. I happened to have a belt that was going to go on a CD-C715 but that one had more problems and was not worth fixing. Since I still had the belt, I took a chance on the CD-C805, put the new belt on and it all works fine now.

From what I recall, 1990 was the first year Yamaha offered S-Bit and the changer lineup consisted of a CD-C605, CD-C705 and CD-C805. Also, from what I recall, the step up feature from a CD-C605 to a 705 was direct track access on the front panel and from a 705 to 805 - optical out, 2nd changer control and pre-set DSP equalizer settings. Would that be an accurate assessment? If there are other differences, I am keen to know.

I am most curious about the DAC's Yamaha used. From what I can determine, Yamaha used an S-Bit 4 DAC system in the CD-C805. Was that the same system used in the less expensive models? I remember Yamaha using S-Bit Plus then S-Bit Pro during subsequent years. Would these be significantly better that what was used in a CD-C805?

For $5, I did not get the CD-C805's remote but I kept the one for the CD-C715. Does anyone know or remember if a factory CD-C805 remote could change the DSP settings or were those only ever accessible from the front panel?

 

[laatsch55]

You got it for 5.00, you fixed it and it works?? Brother, you just won the lottery....nice iron ain't they?/ How's it sound??

 

[62vauxhall]

So far, have just used headphones directly into the player but it sounds pretty good. Will need to extract the HK HD7600 from the system to play it through the PL. I was still somewhat anti CD when these were current but I do remember A/B comparing Yamaha CD players with Sony equivalents for customers. The Yamaha's always sounded better and most often even the customers noticed it.

 

[laatsch55]

So a review is in the future??

 

[62vauxhall]

I can do that and even do an A/B/C comparison. In addition to the HK HD7600 (another 1 bit), I've got a Philips player I don't use that has dual "legendary" TDA1543 16 bit DAC's and, I believe, no oversampling. I don't use it because the display is shot.