The RXD9 is the portable stereo for people who argue about bitrates and then secretly enjoy a Type II cassette recorded from vinyl.
Sony’s audio division in the late 80s was on fire. They had just released the first consumer CD player (CDP-101) years prior, and they were applying that same R&D to smaller form factors. The RXD9 was the flagship of the "RXD" series, designed to compete with high-end separates in a single, sleek, stackable unit. sony rxd9
To understand the Sony RXD9, you have to understand the market of 1989. CDs had finally overtaken vinyl in mainstream sales. The "boom box" was dying, and the "micro system" was being born. However, most micro systems were compromised. They used cheap DACs, plastic chassis that rattled at high volume, and single-transport mechanisms that felt flimsy. The RXD9 is the portable stereo for people