When Revox started introducing lifestyle systems back in the Nineties, the B series was one of the more outstanding setup. Comprising a tuner – B26, integrated amp – B25 and this CD player you see here – B22, they were the benchmark of simplicity but engineered to out perform any similar system costing the same $5,900 (this would have been almost $14,000 in today’s money!) as the Revox. To show how spartan the B22 MK.III CD player is, it has only four soft touch buttons on the front – standby, open/close, forward track and back track. Even the display is a simple, but ultra reliable dot-matrix display that only shows track number and elapsed time. The open/close button also doubles up as play and stop. Output is via a pair of analog RCAs and two digital coaxial outputs. This unit is a later production version where it spots a C13 plug versus the earlier models where it uses a C7 two pin plug. With this C13 plug unit, you have ample opportunities to try it with different high end AC cords which the CD player seems to benefit from.
For under $400 now, this is a CD player that thrashes all the other offerings in this price point. At its original $2,200 MSRP, it was already impressively well made with its aluminum chassis (function wise it was hotly debated for its lack off at this price but would you need anything more than these four buttons?). So for under $400 now, this is a steal. Add its musical prowess and this is a clear champ. It may lack some of the finer sonic details from newer upsampling, higher bit CD players, but the Revox’s 1-bit, 256x sampling DAC inside does produce a very organic sound that kept the highs smooth, the mids rich and the bass natural without over inflating it. The Philips CDM4 transport still works like a charm and reaffirms its reputation as a very reliable unit. And because it was widely used in the industry, finding NOS replacement pieces are easy and inexpensive (we strongly recommend getting a spare just in case you need to replace it years down the road).
Cosmetically, the unit looks really good for its vintage. Minor scuff marks/nicks here and there but nothing major. Unit will be securely packed for safe shipping.
