The Sony CDP-CA9ES is a five-disc CD changer introduced in 1995, known for its robust build quality and excellent sound performance. It features an aluminum face plate and utilizes discrete power supplies for analog and digital outputs. The player has a current pulse DAC and employs 3-stage oversampling to reduce requantizing noise, enhancing audio fidelity. Users can connect via optical, coaxial, and gold-plated analog outputs. A unique aspect of the CDP-CA9ES is its 'custom file' system, which allows users to store information for up to 172 CDs, although inputting titles requires the remote. It lacks CD text reading and an AMS knob, making some operations dependent on remote control. Additional features include a music clip system for remembering track orders, and it can program up to 32 tracks at a time. Despite its limitations in user-friendly features compared to modern standards, the CDP-CA9ES remains a favorite among audiophiles for its sound quality, often noted as rivaling much more expensive equipment. However, its age shows in aspects like the type of control jack utilized, which has been obsolete since 1996.
