PHILIPS LHH-800R (1995) | Reference CD Player

Built for Natural, Precise Music Reproduction the Philips LHH-800R represents an uncompromising approach to CD playback, designed to extract the musical information recorded on the disc while pursuing a natural, highly responsive sound. Developed as a luxurious refinement of the technology used in Philips' Reference Series, the LHH-800R combines advanced digital circuitry with carefully engineered analog stages.

Philips LHH-800R Main Specifications

Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz ±0.5 dB

Dynamic range: 96 dB

Signal-to-noise ratio: 100 dB or more

Channel separation: 96 dB or more at 1 kHz

Harmonic distortion: 0.005% or less at 1 kHz

Dimensions: 474.5 × 143 × 359 mm (W × H × D)

Weight: approximately 18.5 kg

Accessories: RC800R LHH remote control

Original sale price in Japan: 450.000 Yen

A newly developed discrete amplifier is one of the defining elements of the LHH-800R. Philips removed the operational amplifier from the DAC7 I/V stage and replaced it with a wideband discrete amplifier designed for very high speed. The amplifier is specified with a 200 V/µs slew rate, allowing the circuit to respond rapidly to musical transients while maintaining a wide dynamic range. The design goal was not simply higher speed. Philips aimed to combine fast response with what the company described as a warm and natural sound quality. Philips DAC7: A Direct, Music-Focused Approach. The DAC7 is the heart of the digital-to-analog section. Philips used its proprietary Bitstream D/A converter in a deliberately simple single differential configuration. Rather than surrounding the DAC with a complicated circuit, the design concentrates on bringing out its characteristics directly. The stated result is a direct presentation intended to preserve the energy and dynamism of the music. The following differential amplifier also avoids conventional op-amps. Instead, Philips uses a discrete, low-negative-feedback configuration designed to provide excellent phase characteristics, wide dynamic range, high speed, and strong instantaneous current capability. The LHH-800R uses a fully balanced four-channel output arrangement, with the positive and negative phases kept aligned without relying on transformers or inverting amplifiers. This approach was intended to maximize the advantages of balanced transmission while achieving extremely linear operation. The balanced outputs also provide compatibility with BTL drive amplifiers, giving the LHH800R additional flexibility for advanced systems. Separate Power Supplies for Digital and Analog Sections. Power supply design receives considerable attention. The LHH800R employs two independent power transformers, with separate transformers assigned to the analog and digital sections. Philips also describes independent power-supply arrangements for individual stages, including the display section, in an effort to minimize interference caused by the power supply. The analog and DAC sections therefore receive dedicated power treatment rather than relying on a single shared transformer arrangement. Simple Analog Output Filtering. The analog low-pass filter uses a simple third-order CR configuration. Philips emphasizes its phase characteristics and the intention to minimize its influence on the audio signal. This reflects the overall philosophy of the LHH800R: use straightforward circuit arrangements where possible while concentrating engineering effort on the sections that directly influence signal conversion and transmission. High-End Construction and Styling. The LHH-800R is built as a substantial high-end component. At approximately 18.5 kg, its construction reflects the ambitious position of the model within Philips' CD player range. The chassis incorporates aluminum die-cast construction, while the front panel combines wood and a gold-like material in a distinctive design influenced by European aesthetic. The unit also uses fully integrated RCA pin jacks designed for durability, together with a so called Nafuron material for the connections. What Makes the Philips LHH-800R Special? The LHH-800R was created as a refined development of Philips' Reference Series philosophy: a straightforward concept intended to bring digital and analog technology together as naturally as possible. Its most distinctive technical choices are the DAC7 Bitstream converter, discrete I/V conversion, fully balanced four-channel output, separate digital and analog transformers, and extensive attention to power-supply isolation. Rather than relying on specifications alone, Philips positioned the LHH-800R around the pursuit of natural sound, accurate timing, wide dynamics, and faithful reproduction of the musical energy contained on the CD.

Looking for more? Head to 1001hifi.com for more.

Like Our Work? Support 1001 Hi-Fi

Gallery

TEAC CR-H248 (2010) | 1001 Hi-Fi Webpage Update

Since its foundation in 1953, TEAC has made great contributions to both end-user and specialist industrial fields, being involved in consumer and professional audio, computer peripherals, and the medical and aviation industries. Since the introduction of the original TEAC Reference 500 Series in the mid-1990s, the concept of TEAC's mini component system has remained. Most of the features required for a complete contemporary full-size audio system were included in the CR-H248, introduced in 2010. Finished in sleek jet black, this mini stereo system, a rightful heir to ... Discover More

TEAC Reference 500 (1997) | The H-Series Mini System That Put Separates in a Compact Format

The TEAC Reference 500 was far more than an ordinary mini system—it was TEAC’s attempt to bring genuine separates-class engineering into a compact, modular package. With substantial aluminium front panels, independent power supplies and a surprisingly sophisticated component lineup, the Reference 500 remains an intriguing piece of vintage audio history.

TEAC Reference 500 – Main Specifications

System concept: H-Series modular mini system

Core components: R-H500 cassette deck, PD-H500 CD player, T-H500 stereo tuner and A-H500 stereo amplifier

Optional components: AG-H500 stereo receiver, AV-H500 Pro-Logic Surround Amplifier, VRDS-9 CD player, PD-H503 multi-CD player, RW-H500 CD recorder and MD-H500i MiniDisc recorder, DV-H500 DVD player

Construction: 10 mm thick aluminium front panels

Chassis: High-rigidity construction

Connections: Gold-plated RCA jacks

Remote control: Full-function infrared control system

Amplifier design: Separate left/right circuits

Power supply: Fully shielded toroidal transformer and upgraded 4-ohm power supply

CD input: Direct CD switching for a shortened signal path

Architecture: Modular components with individual power supplies

Expansion: Designed to accommodate future components and upgrades

The H-Series Concept: Miniature Separates, Not a Typical Mini System

The H-Series philosophy was simple: reduce the physical size without reducing the quality of the individual components. Rather than building everything into one chassis, TEAC divided the system into separate amplifier, CD player, tuner and cassette deck units. Each component had its own enclosure and power supply, making the Reference 500 much closer in spirit to a traditional separates system than a conventional all-in-one mini system. The construction was equally serious. Every component used a substantial 10 mm aluminium front panel, giving the system a distinctive, high-end appearance while contributing to rigidity and durability. The high-rigidity chassis construction was another indication that TEAC was targeting enthusiasts rather than casual mini-system buyers. A System Designed to Grow. Modularity was one of the Reference 500’s strongest features. Owners could start with the basic four-component system and expand it as new technologies became available. The Reference 500 family eventually included considerably more than the original amplifier, tuner, CD player and cassette deck. Additional components included a Pro-Logic surround amplifier, multi-CD player, CD recorder, MiniDisc recorder and other system components. The A-H500 Amplifier: Simplicity With Serious Engineering. At the heart of the system was the A-H500 stereo amplifier. Its design incorporated separate left and right circuits, a fully shielded toroidal transformer and an improved power supply intended to handle 4-ohm speaker loads. TEAC also kept the signal path deliberately straightforward. The CD Direct function was particularly interesting. When selected, the CD signal could bypass unnecessary circuitry, providing a shorter and cleaner path between the source and amplification stage. For vintage audio enthusiasts, this is an important detail because it reflects an engineering philosophy that was common in serious hi-fi equipment: eliminate unnecessary processing rather than simply adding features. Intelligent System Control. The Reference 500 also attempted something surprisingly advanced for its era: system-level automation. The components were designed to communicate intelligently through the control system. For example, pressing PLAY on the CD player while listening to FM could automatically switch the amplifier to the CD input and begin playback. Similar interactions were available between the tuner and cassette deck. The system could even automatically activate previously configured RDS functions when traffic information was received. Today, this behaviour seems ordinary. In the context of a vintage component system, however, it was an impressive attempt to make separate hi-fi components operate as a unified system. 

The Hidden Story: Who Actually Built the Reference 500?

Here is where the Reference 500 story gets particularly interesting. Although these components carried the TEAC name, the H-Series units were actually manufactured in Korea by ANAM. ANAM was an important OEM manufacturer and produced equipment not only for its own brand (including the above shown Teac components) but also for other companies. The same or closely related hardware can therefore be found under different brand names, including Akai and Universum, the latter being associated with Quelle in Germany.

Looking for more? Head to 1001hifi.com for more.

Like Our Work? Support 1001 Hi-Fi

Gallery