Blurb :

Old School meets New Wave as the Panasonic's B-flat CQ-TX5500D (approximately $800) double DIN in dash automobile
CD player is the world's first to employ a vacuum tube, yet also play MP3 CD-Rom discs. Employing a tube in the pre-amplification stage,
the B-flat produces 16 watts (nominal) into 4 channels (45 watts per channel peak). An auxiliary input allows for flexibility
of additional source components such as a portable cassette player or MiniDisc. Overall dimensions are 178mm x 100mm x 160mm
while the unit weighs in at 2.3Kg. The CQ-TX5500 includes and AM/FM radio, allows for choosing folders on an MP3 CD-Rom, track selection
on audio CD discs, and provides for single button random playback and repeat. A wireless remote control is also available.
Visual features include the ability to view the tube while "old school" backlit analog UV meters show power output.
Playback abilities include MPEG-1 Layer 3 (32kbs-256kbs), MPEG-2 Layer 3LSF (16kbs-160kbs).
CD playback frequency response is from 5Hz to 20kHz. No date set for availability within the USA.

 

hmmm...............a wacky blend of old and new there, not sure it works for me. It's almost like the modern bits aren't modern enough if you know what I mean, they don't compliment the tube.

Different though.

UV meters, that's interesting.

Allan

 

Perfect for those Nissan Micras that are rebodied in Japan to look like Jags. It's almost worth importing one....... but do they have a double Din hole?

Would look feckin' awful in anything else.

 

It has ONE valve? The purpose of which is? Apart from to look "old school"?

What's the betting that the valve isn't even in circuit, it just lights up to look "cool"?

Naf.

Alcazar

 

Valves are very suseptible to vibration so it would be madness to put on in the audio circuit.

 

VU meter

One valve?

On the surface, I LOVE the idea

But looks like a half-a$$ed idea - pun intended

Dan