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