California Audio Labs Icon MK II CDP

Spent the better part of the week chasing down and replacing a distributor in my Honda CRX. Wasn't going out but then decided to do the thrift route for a test drive as it was too late to do any serious garage saleing. My fourth stop was a Sally Ann. Noticed a cart of speakers waiting in the parking lot. Nothing notable except maybe some "Sound Research." Anyone hear of those? Went inside and found a box in the electronics section. "California Audio Labs." Name sounded familiar but I wasn't sure. Looked inside and found a mint CDP in its plastic bag. Serial # is 220. Took it out and found the remote, manual, 3-prong power cord, gold plated RCA cables (still wrapped) and product brochure. Plugged it in and found it did read and play a cd Built like a tank with gold plugs and optical out. Price was $32.50 but it was 1/2 off day. Spent some time convincing myself to buy. Took it to the cashier as I was paying I mentioned there was a TT back there also but a little high at $46.50. I was asked, "How about half of half?" Just can't resist wheelin' and dealin' sometimes. I agreed but when I got back he said, "$26.25 for both!" So I got a Sony PS-LX5 tossed in. I'll post some pics later as it turned out to be a long day. Good thing was these were fresh to the floor so they weren't butchered.

wow!!!

nice score,

elroy

Califoria Audio Labs made quality stuff, I have a CAL Delta transport, also built like a tank. Check it out, I think you'll find you have a keeper, and if you don't they bring a good return.

Jim

18-bit Burr-Brown PCM61P DAC, separeted power supplies, very nice that CAL cdp.
Congrats.

Apparently the MK II is a much improved version. I didn't notice this was a MK II until I got it home as the manual states only "Icon." A substantial unit somewhere between my Kyocera 910 and Sony 608ESD as far as weight. Catching up on the pics. BTW it is digital not optical out.

This post has been edited by hakka26 on May 03, 2009 01:13 pm

Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand)

It looks very solid. Does it have HDCD?

Unless it was sent back for the upgrade I say, no. The MK II came out in 1992, and HDCD was not introduced until 1996. I know this is an earlier unit due to the serial number and it appears the remote design changed at some time.

Wow! That looks like quite a steal. I have also heard that CAL has a good reputation, but haven't heard one with my own ears yet. Congrats on the find!

The guy's got magic in his touch....

Hot Damn! I likey!

IIRC, BurrBrown was a Tucson company, maybe they need a shop boy

Does it have DAC outs?

In addition to the regular outs it has a "Digital Out", but in the brochure it states that is a dealer installable option. Whatever that means.


As an aside, I left the power cord at the store and returned Monday to get it. While there I saw some receivers in the receiving area. Turned out to be lesser model Sony, Kenwood and two others. When I asked the manager if they were claimed (prior to looking) he said, "no, go take a look" then he told me there is a guy he calls that buys these to ship over to Japan and he'd already picked up what he wanted! Doesn't make me happy but I may see if he'll give me a call too. Don't know how true it is about sending overseas unless they are some major units. Also learned that they are somewhat open to offers on some items. Items are bulk priced at the warehouse and the prices many times do not make sense.