World’s First Compact CD Player by SONY. Rare! Vintage! Collector’s Item! ( D-5 / D-50 / D-14 )

Sony's first portable CD player, the D-5 (North America and in various other countries, D-50), was the first on the market in 1984, and adopted for Sony's entire portable CD player line. The name was changed to "CD Walkman" worldwide in 2000 along with a redesigned "Walkman" logo. 

The model number of this particular unit is D-14, which is the model number Sony designated to the D-5 or D-50 deluxe package that included BOTH the AC power unit AND the portable battery pack unit.

Prior to the development of the CD, cassette tapes were the dominant form of audio storage in regards to the then-fledgling portable audio industry. In 1979, Sony had introduced the Walkman in Japan. As Sony began to realize the potential of the CD, executives pushed for a means to give the CD player market momentum, moving it from audio enthusiasts to the mainstream.

Building on the design of the CDP-101 CD player, Sony worked towards both improving the design of the player, reducing the power and number of parts needed while decreasing the overall size of the player, as well as reducing the cost of the player to a 50 000 - 60 000 yen range ($350 - $400) in what was called the "CD CD Project", which stood for Compact Disc Cost Down Project. With the ability to produce a CD player one-tenth the size of its first unit by August 1983, there became potential for a portable player.

The release of the D-50 sparked public interest in CDs as an audio format and in the audio industry in general. A portable CD market was created while the CD industry experienced sudden growth with the number of CD titles available dramatically increasing.

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