Yup, you'll need your own DAC, but that's why you get this attractive CD transport, which simply reads the data using its single-speed transport and S3 Servo, for under $650. The Cambridge Audio CXC transport is an affordable way to listen to your CDs with precision quality that takes full advantage of an external digital-to-analogue converter. Requires an external DAC -Getting older now -Minimal for some If it's within budget, the Marantz SA-10 is a brilliant choice and one of the finest disc players you'll probably ever come across. The remote control feels more luxurious than most supplied with high-end players, and we're impressed by this CD player's casework – it’s immensely rigid and well damped. We’re struck by the way the Marantz renders the instrumental texture and the subtlety with which it tracks small-scale dynamic changes. The result is breathtaking sound quality with amazing attention to detail. Playback is aided by Marantz's custom-built SACD-M3 transport and a brand new signal path and digital-to-analogue section called Marantz Music Mastering. That includes SACDs and FLAC, DSD128, ALAC, AIFF and MP3 files fed into the player via USB. This impressive-looking box can handle pretty much anything you care to throw in its direction. If price isn't an issue and pure sound-quality is your focus, then the Marantz SA-10 could be the CD player for you. Punchy and tuneful, feature-packed and fun: if you’re looking to buy a high-quality digital source that covers all bases, the Technics SL-G700 is a brilliant option. It's nuanced enough to deliver the full emotional impact of vocals and strings, and comes with enough weight in the bass to keep your tracks feeling big. Likewise, the software for the streaming control isn't the best we've seen but it definitely gets the job done.įortunately, the functionality is rock solid whether from a disc or over the air and its sound is superb. The precision controls and the silky smooth disc drawer feel top notch, even if it's a little squished up to one side for aesthetics. It's both Chromecast- and AirPlay-enabled for easy connectivity and goes high quality on the wireless too thanks to MQA support.Įrgonomically, you can't argue with it. Can be clunky in use -Streaming app could be slicker -Headphone output not as goodĬDs, SACDs, Bluetooth and music streamed over a network – this is a player for the 21st century.

Best hifi cd players