Best CD players for 2020

Many of us still want a high-quality CD player in our cabinet. And there are plenty being made. I’ll explain some of the key parts of a good player, then make some recommendations for specific use cases, so you can make an informed choice when you start shopping.

Key CD player parts

A CD player is a relatively simple machine. Let's examine the key parts of a player so we know what to look for when comparing two models.

Digital-to-analog converter (DAC)

Your speakers can only play an analog signal, so somewhere along the line, the digital information on a compact disc must be converted. Most CD players have a good DAC built in, but audiophiles often prefer to take the pure digital output of the CD player and use a more sophisticated outboard DAC, which we'll talk about more in the next section. 

Transport

A CD transport loads and spins your CD, and uses a laser to read the information on the disc. Some CD players are transport-only — there's no DAC built in. An outboard DAC can read digital information with extreme accuracy, which results in a more spacious sound with better imaging.

Connections

Some players will offer one set of RCA connections that passes the output of the built-in DAC, plus a digital coaxial or optical output if you want to use an external DAC. High-end players will also offer balanced XLR outputs for connecting to audiophile gear.

Chassis

Vibration is the enemy of great sound, so pay attention to the way a player's chassis build quality is described. There are a number of ways to reinforce a player's casing, and CD player manufacturers love to talk about the engineering that goes into creating a solid foundation for your music.

Power supply

A solid power supply is important for any electronic component. Rugged toroidal transformers are valued in the electronics industry for providing high-current, low-noise power. But there are some excellent high-end variants like McIntosh's "linear power supply with special R-Core power transformer," too.

Media types

Any player can handle mass-produced standard CDs. If you have home-recorded CDs filled with WAV, FLAC, or similar files, it's worth checking to make sure you're buying a player that's compatible. Same goes for SACDs (Super Audio CDs), which *can* be played on a regular CD player, but require an SACD-compatible player to bring out the additional channels of high-res information they're known for.

Our best CD player picks

If there were just one "best" CD player, that's all we'd sell. I think it's more useful and accurate to pick the best player for a specific use case or budget. There are plenty of great players out there, but I'll explain what criteria I used to make each of the following picks so you can see if they make sense for your situation.

Best budget CD player - Yamaha CD-S300

There are a number of strong contenders that cost under $300, but my pick is the Yamaha CD-S300. I trust Yamaha to make a high-quality product at any price point.

The CD-S300 is versatile enough to play your CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs, plus MP3 & WMA CDs. And the built-in Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz digital to analog converter makes music sound excellent. The 2-year warranty gives me a little added peace of mind, too.

Best audiophile player - Marantz SA-10

I’m limiting this category to players with SACD (Super Audio CD) capability. The SACD format offers more audio channels (e.g. surround sound), a higher bit rate, and longer playing time than conventional CDs. There are some truly excellent players in this category, but I chose the Marantz SA-10.

The player is built around Marantz’ impressive SACD-M3 transport mechanism, which is housed inside a rigid double-layered, copper-plated chassis. It offers digital filters for fine-tuning sound to your own preferences, and the company’s proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules (HDAM) offer exquisite detail and dynamic range. The player’s balanced XLR outputs are also a huge plus for audiophile listeners.

Best CD changer – Integra CDC-3.4

I always had single-disc players when I was younger, but I coveted my friend’s multiple-disc changer. This Integra player can hold up to 6 discs, and more importantly, the carousel function lets you change out the other five discs while one is playing, without interrupting your tunes.

And it’s got the goods inside: 8x oversampling for detailed playback, a 24-bit/192kHz Wolfson DAC, and proprietary Vector Linear Shaping circuitry for a noise-free signal path. It’s an excellent way to keep the music coming all day long.

Best transport-only player - McIntosh MCT500

Most CD players have very good built-in DACs, but some listeners prefer the precise control they can achieve with an outboard component hi-fi DAC. In this case, a transport-only CD player’s job is just to spin the disc accurately and silently.

The McIntosh MCT500 features a high-precision disc mechanism with sturdy die-cast aluminum disc tray. Audio data on the disc is read at twice normal speed for better error correction and tracking. It can read just about any type of disc you have, including SACDs, hybrid SACDs, audio CDs, CD-Rs & CD-RWs, plus MP3 and WMA CDs. And it offers balanced, unbalanced, and proprietary McIntosh connections.

Value pick – Cambridge Audio Azur 851C

This isn’t a budget player, but its solid, creative design helps it perform well beyond its price point. It’s powered by an audiophile-grade toroidal transformer and it has dual DACs inside for superior soundstaging and stereo imaging. Its front-panel display shows input source sample rate and bit depth, which is kind of cool. And Cambridge's sophisticated Adapted Time Filter 2 technology upsamples all incoming digital audio to a 24-bit/384kHz signal in order to resolve extremely fine detail.

Record your own CDs

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that musicians and hobbyists can still record their own CDs for demos or home listening. The Tascam CD-RW900MKII is designed for professional use, but it’s reasonably-priced and versatile enough to handle multiple types of CD-Rs. You can even fade tracks in and out if you’re making a mix.

We can help you choose

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