My latest hobby is collecting CD players, in particular, the Pioneer ELITE models. Gives me something to tinker with. If you have one that has died or has problems and want to part with it, let me know.

Here's a rare one for you. This is a Nikko NCD-100 single disc CD player. I wasn't even aware Nikko made one until I came across this one.

Another view. Interestingly, it has the verbiage "Nikko NCD-100 Compact Disc Player was developed through our advanced digital technology". Almost sounds like an advertisement on the faceplate of it.

Inside view of the Nikko NCD-100. It is definitely a very sturdy player, weighs more than most.

Back and inside viwew of the Nikko NCD-100 CD player. A very simple rear panel. Construction date is December 1984. Definitely early in the CD player technolgy.

And here's the funkiest part of this player's construction. The CD drawer actually contains  the entire drive system. Have you ever seen this before? I though this would probably have a drive from a Pioneer or some other manufacturer that has just been re-badged with the Nikko name. Once I powered it up and opened it up, this is the surprise I got. I would definitely appreciate any information, manuals, etc.. anyone might have regarding this unique player.

Front panel with Urushi finish of the Pioneer PD-M90X Reference CD Player (pre-ELITE). Also came with rosewood end panels (not shown). Circa 1988.

Back panel of the PD-M90X with variable analog and coaxial outputs.

Inside the Pioneer PD-M90X. See all of the copper everywhere. A beefy build gives this model a real feeling of quality.

Another view inside the Pioneer PD-M90X Reference CD Player

My second "MINT" PD-M90X CD changer. This is one of my favorite models.

Inside my second PD-M90X.

Another view inside number 2.

And number 2's back side.

Front panel of the Pioneer ELITE PD-M900 Reference Multiplay CD Player.

Another view of the PD-M900, complete with Urushi finish and rosewood end panels.

Internal view of the PD-M900, complete with copper everywhere.

Backside of the PD-M900, complete with gold plated analog as well as digital coaxial and optical outputs.

Front panel of the Pioneer PD-M70 Multiplay CD Player. Other than the Urushi finish of the PD-M90X, this model is identical in it's layout. Circa 1987/88.

Rear panel of the PD-M70. Again, same as the PD-M90X except for a lack of copper and no coaxial output.

Inside the Pioneer PD-M70. Note it is very similar to the PD-M90X except for a lack of copper and no coaxial output circuitry. The drive mechanism is identical to the PD-M90X.

This is the front of a Pioneer PD-M60 6-disc CD changer. Very similar to the PD-M70 but with no variable output level.

Inside the PD-M60 CD changer. As was normal for the era, heavy duty build makes them a very sturdy changer.

Hind side of the PD-M60. No digital outputs, analog only on this one.

Front panel of the Pioneer ELITE PD-71 Reference CD Player. Complete with Urushi finish and Rosewood side panels. (circa 1989)

Rear panel of the Pioneer ELITE PD-71, complete with gold plated analog outputs as well as coaxial and optical digital outputs. The output can be selected with a button on the front panel.

Inside the Pioneer ELITE PD-71. Not all of the copper. This is a true reference CD player.

Front panel of the Pioneer PD-7100. It is built like a tank and a lot of options.

Rear panel of the Pioneer PD-7100. Gold plated connectors, digital outputs via coaxial or optical with a switch to turn off the digital outputs.

Inside the Pioneer PD-7100. It uses the same chassis as the Elite PD-71 but isn't copper plated.

View one of the ELITE PD-M53. This one is from that period where build quality of the ELITE line started to decline.

Inside the PD-M53 Elite CD changer. No copper chassis or any other details from the earlier ELITE models.

Back side of the ELITE PD-M53. At least it does have digital optical and coaxial outputs.

Front panel of the Pioneer ELITE PD-59 Reference CD Player with the Urushi finish but no rosewood end panels. Circa 1995.

Rear panel of the PD-59, complete with analog, coaxial and optical outputs. Not even gold plated RCAs.

Inside the ELITE PD-59. Note there is no copper (except for some of the screws). I'm not sure what is so "ELITE" about this one.

The ELITE PD-59 Stable Platter Mechanism. CD is inserted label side down in this one. It allows it to use the same pick-up assembly as many of the 6-disc changer models. Unfortunately, the entire drive assembly is plastic and the entire player just doesn't have that feel of quality that the earlier models did.

Front panel of the Pioneer ELITE PD-M59 CD changer. Circa 1999

Rear panel of the ELITE PD-M59, with non-gold-plated analog and optical digital outputs. Apparently, gold plated

connectors are too expensive output on the so-called ELITE player.

Inside the ELITE PD-M59. Apparently, ELITE doesn't mean much anymore with this line of audio gear. :-(

Pioneer PD-M901 6-idsc changer. This unique model has a digital signal processor that can be switched for different listening preferences. This model is identical to the ELITE PD-M77 but without the copper.

Rear panel of the Pioneer PD-M901. Pretty basic back here, analog outputs only.

Inside the Pioneer PD-M901. A bit more plastic and less metal on the drive assembly of this one.

Front panel of the PD-M801 Multiplay CD Player. It is virtually identical to the PD-M53 ELITE model.

Inside the PD-M801, again, virtually identical to the PD-M53 ELITE model.

Back panel of the PD-M801, analog variable outputs only.

Front panel of the PD-M701 MultiPlay CD Player. Almost the same as the PD-M801.

Inside the PD-M701, very similar to the PD-M801 except for the pick-up assembly and flat cable.

Back side of the PD-M701. Virtually identical to the PD-M801. Pretty basic.

Front panel of the PD-M650 MultiPlay CD Player. All of the regular functions you'd expect from a CD player of this vintage.

Inside the PD-M650. Basic and about the same as most of the other mid level models of this time frame.

And again, the back side of the PD-M650, basic and with very few option.

Front panel of the PD-M640 MultiPlay CD player. Again, hard to see the differences between this and the PD-M650. A standard layout.

Inside the PD-M640, looks almost the same as the PD-M650.

The standard stripped back panel of the PD-M640. No digital outputs at all.

Front panel of the bottom of the line PD-M501 MultiPlay CD player. Very basic controls and no remote control. Doesn't get much simpler than this.

Basic and simple inside the PD-M501 as well. An entry level player at best.

And, as expected of a bottom of the line CD player, analog, non gold placed outputs only.

Inside the Pioneer PD-M500 multiplay CD player. A sturdy honeycomb chassis still gives it a sturdy feel. Faceplate is remove in this photo.

Front panel of the Nakamichi CDC-3A 6-Disc CD Changer.  Circa 1989.

Rear panel of the Nakamichi CDC-3A, complete with analog and coaxial outputs and a switch to turn the digital output off.

Inside the Nakamichi CDC-3A. Note the chassis isn't quite as beefy as in the Pioneer models. Also note that the drive mechanism is in fact a Pioneer drive. It is identical and interchangeable with the Pioneer PD-M500 (and maybe other models).

Front panel of the Carver SD/A-490t Vacuum Tube Reference CD Player.  Circa 1991.

Rear panel of the Carver SD/A-490t, complete with variable and fixed analog outputs as well as coaxial and optical digital outputs.

Inside the Carver SD/A-490t. Note the tube output in the rear right corner. Unfortunately, the chassis on this model is flimsy and you can actually flex the entire unit with your hands. A shame since this is a very good sounding player.

NAD C520 CD Player faceplate. This is about as simple and basic a CD player can get. Unfortunately, the display is virtually impossible to read.

The back of the NAD C520. Again, basic is the name of the game. Standard gold plated analog and digital coaxial outputs.

Again, simplicity inside as well as the outside. Very clean and neat with a lovely blue main board.

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Last modified: 10/16/2008