Philips CD 880, released in 1988, is considered one of the best-built CD players of its time. Manufactured in Belgium, it features a robust aluminum chassis weighing over 10 kg, with a copper rear panel and a precisely machined front control panel made of anodized aluminum. It’s like having a digital safe in your living room – heavy, stable, and uncompromising.
Inside is the legendary CDM1 MkII mechanism with a metal arm and the high-end TDA1541A S1 D/A converter, which gives the sound a delicacy, depth, and musicality that won the hearts of many audiophiles. The device offers 16-bit processing with four-times oversampling, which was a top-tier solution at the time.
In addition, it has features that may surprise you. The CD 880 allows you to store favorite tracks from up to 135 discs using the FTS (Favorite Track Selection) function. When recording to cassette, it can automatically insert 3-second pauses between tracks – a feature appreciated by owners of cassette decks with track search. It also includes remote volume control with fine digital steps and two output types – fixed and variable, with the latter offering nearly double the voltage.
Even after decades, the CD 880 remains in active setups for many users – not only because of its sound, but also thanks to its reliability and timeless craftsmanship. It’s a player that doesn’t age – like the proverbial fine wine.