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Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive!

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2 days ago I bought a 1989 Magnavox CDB492 cd player. I sounds beautiful. It has a full bodied sound, excellent detail, beautiful 3D soundstage, great layering of the instruments, and nice air around musicians and instuments. It stomps the Oppo and reminds me of my Cary CD308, now gone. It has been a long time since my stereo has been captivating and musical.

I heard these vintage Magnavox (Philips) were good but I didn't expect this. This model has the desireable Philips CDM4/19 transport and Philips TDA1543 dual DAC used in many current high end players and DACs of today. Unlike their earlier players it does have a cheaper chassis, but it utilizes the way better 16 bit dual DAC (earliest ones had 14 bit DAC or a predicesor to the famous 1543 DAC), and this model has a much improved transport over the CDM2.

I still can't believe how this thing sounds like music. Maybe in the earlier days Philips and Sony tried to make a cd sound like an LP. What ever the reason you should look for one of these rascals and give it a spin. There is one on eBay for $50.

Mike

Follow Ups:

RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - deskducker 11:11:04 07/04/09 (0)
I own 2 of the original Belgium Philips/Magnavox units, and they do sound lively and non-fatiguing for the most part. What is most impressive is the transports on these. These players will play ANY disc (cdr, scatched to heck,etc.) that I throw at it. 20+ years old, lasers still work and can read even the worst burned cdr's I own.
RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - stevenmbell 08:00:10 07/04/09 (0)
I have a Phillips/Magnavox that was modded by John Hillig at Musical Concepts.Its called a Enigma 3 now.Any way it sounds incredible with or without my Dacmagic.He put a new board and power supply among other things into the player. I won't get anything to replace it for a long time to come.I had the 492 when it first came out and sold it cheap thinking it was junk at the time.One of My bigger mistakes.Best of luck with yours!
Steve
Bought a new Magnavox CDB460 in 1988 for around $100 - gearhunter 15:40:42 07/03/09 (1)
21 years later.....and it's still going strong!
Uses the 1541 chip.

Steve
- RE: Bought a new Magnavox CDB460 in 1988 for around $100 - mjcmt 17:48:48 07/03/09 (0)
  Thanks for your testimonial. I've read that these things never die and that is what gave me confidence in purhasing the Magnavox, even after 20+ years. The 1541 is supposed to be a huge step up from the earlier 14 bit DACs. I understand besides the 1543 being the pinnacle of 16 bit design by this time Philips figured out the digital filtering too.
  
  Mike
I have a 610 - bjh 13:04:39 07/03/09 (0)
which was modded by a local guy, something he called a Transimpedance DAC, independent power supply for the DAC section, etc.

He was aiming for the "analog" sound and I suppose started with the 610 as it already had that sort of "rounded" sound.

Anyway I play it occasionally, currently it sits in a 2nd system I put together for my daughter, but it doesn't even hold a candle to my current player.

Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - Hi-Fidelity 19:25:21 07/02/09 (0)
I picked up a Magnavox CDB-480 CD player at a thrift store a couple of years ago only because it was dirt cheap. It does have the CDM 4/19 transport and TDA 1543 dual DAC. I never really seriously listened to it.

Now I'm going to add a better power chord, and some Dynamat to the inside of the chasis to make it more stable.

A couple of weeks ago I purchased a pair of 10" woofers off Ebay for my JBL L110's. Now I'll be using this Magnavox along with a Marantz 2270 with the JBL's in a vintage system.
RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - DirtAuger 16:32:03 07/01/09 (8)
I know what you are experiencing.
My Oppo BDP-83 shares the rack with a Rotel 855...
I think I'm set for awhile.

Edits: 07/01/09
- RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 17:55:45 07/01/09 (7)
  Very nice. I will use my Oppo for movies and the Magnavox for music.
  
  Mike
  - RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - DirtAuger 19:44:39 07/01/09 (6)
    FWIW Oppo told me no up sampling for red book… YES!
    Also I’m having fun with HDtracks for DVD-A.
    I like the red book performance of the Oppo.
    
    Edits: 07/01/09
    - RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 04:20:47 07/02/09 (5)
      I thought thr Oppo was OK but I loose interest in the music quickly listening to it. There is something about it that doesn't allow music to hold my interest. When I aquired the Magnavox CDB492 the sound is in another league. The (Oppo sounds muffled and bland in comparison and the soundstand is flat and 2D sounding. The Mag is big and bold and the instruments sound like a real performance in front of me. While the Oppo seams to do a good job the Magnavox shames the Oppo.
      
      Mike
      - RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - DirtAuger 12:38:40 07/02/09 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! posted by mjcmt on July 02, 2009 at 04:20:47
        
        To clarify I’m referring to Oppo’s new Blu-Ray Player.
        Sound wise it’s much better than the other Oppo products I own and I somewhat agree with your assessment of their older products.
        
        RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 13:24:39 07/02/09 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! posted by DirtAuger on July 02, 2009 at 12:38:40
        
        I knew you were talking about their new player. I wasn't aware that it improve on the redbook sound. How so?
        
        Mike
        
        RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - DirtAuger 15:08:30 07/02/09 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! posted by mjcmt on July 02, 2009 at 13:24:39
        
        As well as multichannel outputs it has dedicated stereo outs with their own high quality dacs and higher grade parts in the audio path.
        The dacs in the stereo section will select a SACD’s 2 channel track if available, if not it will mix down the multichannel tracks.
        
        Check out the link…
        AVS forum (Open in New Window)
        
        RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 19:31:37 07/02/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! posted by DirtAuger on July 02, 2009 at 15:08:30
        
        Lots of technology and a good movie experience to be sure. The $10,000 question is does it sound better on redbook cd playback than this humble Magnavox cdp with 16 bit DACs?
        
        This is not to deminish the Oppo's strengths but mine with a Benchmark DAC did sound more involving, but as a stand alone unit it sounds sterile, flat, and uninvolving to me. Hopefully the Oppo 83 changed that, but I'm really enjoying the vintage Maganavox. It reminds me of the Cary CD308 I had 2 years ago, as far as listening pleasure and the human element.
        
        Many high end manufactures have re-discovered that the Philips 1543 DAC from the '80's used in the Mag CDB492 still plays music good. I know this to be true because I had the modern Consonance Linear NOS cdp w/ the same DAC and I recently discovered this vintage player and I must say it makes beautiful music.
        
        Mike
      - RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - jimmycj 09:15:34 07/02/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! posted by mjcmt on July 02, 2009 at 04:20:47
        
        The Mag is big and bold and the instruments sound like a real performance in front of me. Before from above,the sentence before is very descriptive,very big bold detailed and clean.
How good is the CDB 650? - docw 15:56:48 07/01/09 (2)
I think that's the one that people said to buy and mod, and I did so from Audio Advisor in the mid 80's, but never got around to modding.

Sits and occasionally plays in my family home's system. I put 4 large rubber sorbathane donut shaped feet under it and played it with Uncle Stu's green disc. Very soft and round and nice sound.

The gear is GAS Thoebe > > > Hafler DH 200 > > > Rogers 15 ohm LS3/5a and Bass unit LSB 1, fed by Philips Magnavox CDB 650 great shape, mint Ariston RD 11S/Grace 707 black arm tube, Shure V15VMR, Sony TCK 555 (not ES), Panasonic VCR and a China manufactured and labeled HDCD and DVD/CD player.

The system is very good for classical music and esp the over 500 mint LP collection, which is 90% classical or vocal opera and operetta. Bass and speaker postioning need improvements.

Picture of a typical LP from that collection. New appearing disc.
- RE: How good is the CDB 650? - deskducker 21:20:00 07/10/09 (0)
  I also have 2 of those Magnavox CDB-650. I also have an ADCOM GCD-575, which is 1541 based. For their shortcomings on imaging, soundstaging, and depth, there is such little digititis on these. However, my Scott Nixon designed Anodyne adapt tube dac is in a different league. Does everyting the phlips players can, but gives you soundstage, imaging,etc.
  
  Funny, the "old" transports from that era track better than most new cd players. CDr's, scratched disc, etc. Doesn't matter, those Magnavox decks play every disc I throw at them (it is my understanding that the lasers were stronger and were made with glass versus plastic.)
- RE: How good is the CDB 650? - mjcmt 16:26:10 07/01/09 (0)
  I also researched the '86 CDB610-650 series. As far as I was able to determine they use the Philips CDM2 transport and TDA1541 DAC. The '89 CDB492 is a step up w/ CDM4/19 transport and TDA1543 DAC. I don't know all the variation of all models of these Philips/Magnavox cdps, but I suspect the '89 models are the pinnacle of these vintage dual 16bit players by Philips.
  
  Funny how there is a rediscovery of the (still manufactured) dual 16 bit TDA1543 DAC chip used by Scott Nikon, Consonance, Lite DAC, Apogee Mini-DAC, Audio Note, 47 Lbs, Paridese and many others.
  
  If someone has more information please chime in.
  
  Mike
Magnavox CDB-586 for me - Time_Stands_Still 13:25:01 07/01/09 (0)
A few weeks ago I bagged a CDB-586 from a thrift shop for <$10.00. I cleaned it up and checked its operation out to then plug it into my system. Well I was quite impressed by it. It had a round almost analogue sound, nice texture though in comparison to my previous reference unit a Cambridge Audio D-300se it has less air. It outperforms my Pioneer PDR-555RW CD recorder as the PDR-555RW plays through the built in Burr Brown 24/96 DAC on my Denon AVR-3802 (running as my preamp, tuner, surround processor). It definitely outperforms most run of the mill CD players that proliferate the market today and over the last many years. As I said it offers a fidelity of soothing roundness to its sound. Good presence and nice general texture in sound but no it is not perfect but it is pleasant I think that is the best word for it. I'm certain many an audiophile who has been rather brainwashed to think newer and more pricier gear is better may be surprised as how good these older generation Philips/Magnavox units can be.
Mine has the CDM-4/19 swing arm laser / transport so it tracks well and it has the TDA-1541A 16 bit Dual DAC's. These 1980's 16 bit DAC's by Philips obviously have a grand tradition and general respect for quality. The CDM-4 like its previous CDM-2 and CDM-1 transports works like a champ but so typical with them it takes a second or so longer to skip from track to track as compare to the plethora of other laser/transports.
All in all my CDB-586 is a charmer and impresses the heck out of me.

Edits: 07/01/09
RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - jimmycj 12:16:18 07/01/09 (1)
Well just got this one out and just stuck it in where my creek that died used to be,played just a bit of David Lindley ,just a couple tracks,then stuck in the Ayre disc,its been awhile since the 492 has been in the system yrs actually,nothing at all wrong with the first couple tracks,easy ,full sound.
- RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 12:55:07 07/01/09 (0)
  Now that I have had it for many days it is becoming more revealing of the little details in a recording. It has the best pitch presentation of any cdp that I've had (Linn, Cary, Rotel, Consonance, Oppo). You can clearly hear the bending of guitar strings, hear the low grumbling of bass notes, and hear room accoustics and artificial accoustics clearly. This is an amazing cdp.
  
  Mike
RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - morris.emerick@gmail.com 21:33:40 06/30/09 (10)
Thanks! Just bought the one off Ebay.
- Now I'm Going to Look For One............ - Todd Krieger 10:54:05 07/01/09 (3)
  It's a revelation that shocks people. The upgrading of CDPs numerous times over the years, then going back to an early production player, and realizing all that upgrading really didn't upgrade anything..........
  - RE: Now I'm Going to Look For One............ - docw 16:33:07 07/01/09 (1)
    even thee? time to reclaim my old magnavox, right? see post above.
    - RE: Now I'm Going to Look For One............ - Todd Krieger 18:34:00 07/01/09 (0)
      My first player was a Mag CDB460. Actually modified it, upgrading the op amps. In retrospect, wish I never parted with it.
      
      I have several Mag changers from just a bit later. The CDC-745 and CDC-748, modified by Don Allen. These things are great, and the Marantz variants are even better.
  - RE: Now I'm Going to Look For One............ - jimmycj 11:48:29 07/01/09 (0)
    All the more true with cd.
- RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 05:01:43 07/01/09 (5)
  Condratulation on the great find.
  
  Let me know what you think and what cdp you are comparing it to. It sounded great imediately but got better balanced and more detailed as time went on. It took mine a solid 24 hours to settle in after years of inactivity and I'm hoping it will continue to improve.
  
  If you have a small star driver you should look at the inside. It is well designed. The entire circuit board is copper shielded. I took a Q-tip and light rubbing alcohol and cleaned all the easy to reach exposed resistor and cap leads. I don't know if that made a difference but it seamed clearer sounding after. I'd like to know if any mods can be done.
  
  This cdp is a hidden gem. I'd really like to hear your feedback.
  
  Mike
  - RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - jimmycj 12:29:25 07/01/09 (4)
    Are you leaving it on full time?You know its a older player when the display shows track number and nothing else.My Atoll remote works fine with it
    - RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! - mjcmt 12:50:47 07/01/09 (3)
      Yes I leave it on 24/7 like all my digital sources. I have had it now for over 2 days and it is sounding more detailed, rythmic w/ better pitch.
      
      With out a disc in it the display shows --. With a disc in it it shows the track no. With a disc playing it shows the track number followed by a "1". I'm able to change it to read time from the deck (not the remote) but it won't show the track, so I don't use the time display.
      
      Being that it is a Philips transport I think many cdps w/ Philips transports will operate it. I had an older Linn cd and Rotel cd and the remotes were interchangable. The Rotel didn't have drawer open on the remote, but the Linn did. It was an eye opener to open the Rotel drawer w/ a remote control.
      
      Mike
      - laser life - herb's go karts 10:17:27 07/03/09 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Vintage Magnavox CDB492 CD Player - Impressive! posted by mjcmt on July 01, 2009 at 12:50:47
        
        Hey, congrats on the great find. I don't know if this applies to your Magnavox (and actually I don't know if I'm right about this at all), but don't some CDPs have an active laser as long as they are powered on (versus active only if there is a disc in the player)?
        
        AFAIK there are no replacement lasers for my vintage CDP (Yamaha CDX-2020), so I turn it off when not in use in the hope of prolonging its lifespan.
        
        RE: laser life - mjcmt 11:21:02 07/03/09 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: laser life posted by herb's go karts on July 03, 2009 at 10:17:27
        
        That is an interesting question and one that has crossed my mind.
        
        I am pretty sure it is only on with a cd playing or maybe in the player. When I had the cover off and it powered on I did not notice the laser on. So I think if you leave it on but don't have a cd in the drawer the laser is off.
        
        Maybe others who are more knowlegable can chime in.
        
        Mike
        
        RE: laser life - cbb 09:38:16 07/04/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: laser life posted by mjcmt on July 03, 2009 at 11:21:02
        
        I had the 650 but sold it to my brother-in-law. I had read so much about it and decided to order one and give it a try, must have been in the late 80's. I did everything to try to get it to sound good but the VPI turntable just kept blowing it away. The upper mid range glare was the issue with most digital gear at that time.
        
        Digital sound keeped me away for decades.

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