Revox, B226 Iconic CD Player

It may sound a bit weird to write of an old CD player while everyone is raving about new digital formats and higher resolution digital audio. Or maybe not. In my opinion there are HiFi components of the past which may appear technically obsolete but still can have something to say to our ears, even by today's standards.

I'm sure there's no need to introduce the Revox Company to anyone who knows a thing or two about hi-quality Audio. Hence I prefer to concentrate myself on the CD players Revox designed and produced in the early Eighties. The first one was the B225, a 14 (fourteen, yes!) bits machine which made a large use of Philips components, packed together into a very sturdy and nice metallic chassis. Then came the B226, a 16-bit machine which featured the latest hi-end "bits" (pun intended) from Philips: both the all-aluminium CDM transport and the famous TDA 1541 DAC.
In some sense - at that time - there were three machines which shared the very same philosophy and components: the ubiquitous Philips CD 960, the Marantz CD 94 and the Revox B226. This last one was the most expensive of the lot and with some good reason. The level of craftsmanship, the choice of materials and the bomb-proof construction were something rather unique and barely seen on other contemporary CD players. Revox had (and still has) a long tradition in making durable and no-frills HiFi components, designed to survive even under "pro" (hence heavy) working conditions.
It shouldn't come as a surprise the fact that many radio stations (including the Italian RAI network) and recording studios were (and some still are!) equipped with Revox B226's CD players.

The B226's were built like tanks and their weight (9 kgs, more or less) tells something about the quality of the construction. During production, the B226 has been upgraded several times. You can find a B226 Signature, more or less a B226 with a classy all-black finish and a B226S, the most "audiophile" of all, featuring the famous TDA 1541 S1 (Silver Crown) DAC. This DAC, sometimes, can be found even on standard B226's.
I won't go into details because it is hard to correctly track the whole history of this model. Rather, I'd try to give you an idea of its main features and, most of all, of its sound.

First of all, the B226 was equipped with 2 pairs of analog and digital (coaxial) outputs. The analog outputs were different one from the other: FIXED (straight 2V line) and VARIABLE (adjustable by means of an electronic volume control). This way, the B226 could be directly connected to a power amplifier. The two coaxial digital outputs, a quite rare feature, could be used to connect the unit to separate DACs, for example in a kind of multi-room environment. For we die-hard audiophiles, two digitals outs are a joy because they allow us to compare two external DACs "on the fly" with any need to swapping cables :-) Still in the rear we find the mains socket, a kind of (smaller than usual) IEC standard, matched to a fine mains voltage selector. A very useful feature because it made the B226 entirely universal, regardless of the Country of purchase.
The front panel, an elegant polished aluminium fascia, was literally crowded with (micro-switched) buttons. Instead of making a LONG list of the features I'd say the B226 made everything possible. Programmable sequences, loops, indexes...everything you can think of and then some :-) Of course, it was also equipped with an adjustable headphones output (quire rare, nowadays). The green-lighted dispaly offered every kind of information to the user, though it was a bit difficult to read.
The remote control was sold separately as an expensive & optional.

Here are some relevant tech specs:

• Frequency response: 20-20 kHz +0/-0.6 dB
• THD: < 0.005% (20 - 20 kHz)
• D/A conversion: 16 bit, 4x oversampling via TDA 1541 DAC
• Channel separation: > 90 dB (20 - 20 kHz)
• S/N ratio: > 100 dB (20 - 20 kHz)
• Output impedance: < 500 Ohm
• Output level: 2V (FIXED) - 0-2V (VARIABLE)
• Size: 45.0 x 10.9 x 33.2 cm (W x H x D)
• Net weight: 8.5 kgs

So Needless to say this is a serious deck... Revox has designed and manufactured some of the most highly regarded and desired components in the history of "better" HiFi. The B226 takes its place among the greatest players of its time, hell of any time. This is one you want to own, you lust after... you gotta have. It's been fully serviced by our in-house master tech and is ready to play beautifully for its next owner. Exceptional condition in every way. 

Come demo this fine piece of Revox audio history here at the Andover shop or purchase with confidence via this site.

Revox, B226 Iconic CD Player: $1,199.00 plus shipping and sales tax when applicable