Favourites: recommended CD players

Our favourites, plus the dealers picks

By AudioEnz staff

April 2004

NAD C521BEE $599

There's a surprisingly large number of people who think that a cheap DVD player is equal or superior to a CD player - maybe it's the 24/192 decoder labels on those DVD players that make some think this way. If that sounds like you, then take your DVD player and compare it to this NAD. The simplest description of the difference I can outline is that you will hear more music. The recently upgraded 521 model (named after the designer, Bjorn Erik Edvardsen) is a stunning example of just how good affordable CD has become.

NAD C542 $999

One of the few companies still making affordable CD players, NAD show their “budget esoterica” roots by having two players recommended by the AudioEnz team. Looking almost the same as the cheaper 521BEE, the 542 has quite different insides and also decodes HDCD discs. Reviewer Brent Burmester found that the 542 has both greater impact and texture in the bass over its predecessor and that music was presented in a clean and delightful manner. Players costing two to three times as much have a lot to prove to better the NAD C542. Over its little brother the 542 adds a bit more bass clout and definition, a smoother overall sound and makes more musical sense. AudioEnz review

Rega Planet $1600

Still perhaps best known for their line of turntables, Rega developed a honey of a CD player in the Planet. The current model is either version 3 of the Planet, or just a slight tweak on version 2, depending on which piece of information from Rega you believe! This is a mid-priced CD player for people who want to enjoy their music without worrying about hi-fi. Always enjoyable, with a foot tapping sound that highlighted the interaction between musicians, the Planet is still one of the easiest recommendations in CD players. AudioEnz review

Arcam CD33 $4999

Technically the Arcam is an upsampling CD player utilising Wolfsen DACs, wrapped up in Arcam’s “full metal jacket” casing. Sonically music leaps forth from the speakers with energy and tangibility that helps make music come alive. Low level detail and dynamic contrasts are strong points with this upmarket player. “This is an excellent CD player incorporating some very advanced electronics – it deserves strong recommendation,” concluded reviewer Brent Burmester. AudioEnz review

Wadia 861 $18,999

While some expensive hi-fi seem to be more about pushing prices rather than performance, the Wadia is an expensive CD player that delivers everything it promises. “The Wadia is all about effortless power coupled  with stunning clarity and immediacy. Neutral and clean, with extended  and  articulate  bass, raved AudioEnz reviewer Michael Wong. “Performers are painted with the realistic  size, depth, focus and reach-out-and-touch-it palpability that separates  the exceptional from the ordinary.” The only drawback about this heavy (22kg) player is a slightly rolled off top end. Extraordinary. AudioEnz review

 

What the dealers say

Carey Baird, The Top Hi-Fi Shop, Christchurch

Rega Planet. $1600 with Rega system remote.

This machine has got to be one of the best value items of hi-fi available anywhere! Ingenious top-loading mechanism does away with a drawer and many associated parts (if a part's not there it can't break) and 'squishy' feet (a well-thought of audio upgrade) come as standard. Because of its unique style, the Rega has high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) because it isn't your typical black box brimming over with buttons.

Musically we believe it to be in a class of its own, well ahead of competition up to and over $2500. This machine emphasises pace, rhythm and timing, allowing any genre of music to swing naturally, with gorgeous control of the all-important bass area of music. Where many CD players thump away, slurring the bass, slowing the music down and muddying up the upper registers, the Planet never puts a foot wrong. It's in only its second incarnation (give or take a few no-extra-cost tweaks added recently) in almost a decade. We feel that speaks volumes for the soundness of the original design. Classic. AudioEnz review

Naim CD5i $2700

Naim re-evaluated its previously quite-high entry point recently and has come up with a stripped-down version of its famous CD5. What a stunner. Typical Naim manual mechanism lends tremendous robustness and ease-of-use, as well as an immediately recognisable style. Naim's use of highly-regulated power supplies and custom-reclocking software derived from the CDS3 leads to a class-leading sound that is definitely not from the "soft-armchair-3W-Single-Ended-Triode-Amp" school of hi-fi (not that anyone should feel bad if they're from that school btw).

It's clean and fast, with tremendously taught bass, clean unforced mids and sweet treble. It's sometimes hard to put what this level of player does down to 'money spent, percentage gained'. What we think it does is allow you to relate to what the musicians are trying to achieve (regardless of genre), rather than pushing its own personality.

Naim CDS3 $24,000

For us this is as good as it gets regardless of price. Simply the most stunning CD player ever made. Naim's engineering is in a class all its own, with decoupled circuit boards, output plugs and transport and much attention paid to microphony and externally induced harmonic distortions, custom-written software, special attention to reclocking, enormous off-board power supplies, non-magnetic casework and a host of other clever engineering ideas.

The most graceful, dynamic, controlled, vivacious player around. Makes short work of DVD-A and SACD players, as testified by Martin Colloms from Hi-Fi News. It's just so easy to listen to and it's just so compelling to listen to. The music develops totally realistic scale and never loses the thread of the groove. The dynamics are effortless and the quiet parts are deathly silent. Needs lots of warming up and a Naim Fraim is mandatory. Still cheap compared to some players.

Phil McIsaac, Smith Sound, Auckland

Marantz CD5300 $599

This is my favourite budget player. With a level of performance well beyond its modest price tag it slots easily into a wide range of budget audio systems. It has a musical and dynamic quality that makes listening to a wide range of music enjoyable and keeps you interested without being overly conscious of any short comings. Compared to more expensive players it gives up very little, not quite as extended at the frequency extremes or offering as much low level detail it none the less is a well balanced sound that gets all the basics right at a price where there are very few really good sounding players to choose from.   

Arcam Diva CD73T $1499

Arcam have done it again and come up with another award winning and affordable CD player. An all new 24 bit DA converter from Wolfson audio is the heart of this new model and the improvement from earlier Arcam models very audible. It has a powerful, well extended and hard hitting bass, while the treble delivers plenty of bite and ambience without becoming harsh sounding. The midrange is where this player really excels giving a close-up spine tingling view of the music that's truly exciting, yet Arcam's hallmark warmth and musicality still remain.

Cyrus CD6 $2299

Every time Cyrus bring out a new model other CD player manufactures must shake in their boots and wonder how do they keep on coming up with such superb sounding players year after year. With a new transport and the DA chipset from the Cyrus 7Q and improvements in the power supply, the new Cyrus 6 it one hell of a lot of performance for the money. It has a directness that's hard not to like and gets you to the heart of the music. Fast and punchy with a stunningly clear midband and top end , yet well balanced from top to bottom this is a player that gets everything right. With the ability to upgrade the player to the CD8 and lift its performance to an altogether higher level still, this player is one of my favourites as it gets you so close to the performance of far more expensive players and gives up so little in comparison. Highly recommended.

John Ransley, Totally Wired, Dunedin

Linn Sondek CD12 $40,000

When the Linn Sondek CD12 first arrived we were given strict instructions not to take it home - it was, after all, the only one in the country, cost around $40,000 and was required for demonstrations elsewhere the next day. And we might play some of our favourite grungy scungy discs on it rather than polite classical. So you can guess what we did. After about five minutes it became obvious that not only did it make locally recorded discs sound far better, but it dramatically raised our expectations of what could be achieved within the CD format which I have previously regarded as a pale imitation of vinyl. The only thing that stood between us and the CD12 was the price of a very average new car. However if you have the funds and more than a passing interest in enjoying startlingly good sound from your CD collection, this would be a no-brainer. And who else does a top line component with no buttons or controls on the front panel? Combining understatement on the outside and an utter lack of comprise inside have got to be admired.

Linn Classik DI $7995

There is a little bit of the Sondek CD12 in all Linn's players which is why I'd give the Classik DI the 'next best' recommendation. The fact that it plays DVDs and is a system in it's own right it a bit of a bonus. Linn Classik Movie review

Rotel RCD-1072 $1495

If you have to budget for things like paying rent, buying food and can't contemplate a full years wages on just one silvery component then Rotel's new RCD 1072 has to be on the shortlist.

Like all Rotel components it's highly sensible and monotonously reliable. But every do often they pull one out of the hat and hit that happy combination of remarkably good sound and comparatively low cost. All the good press suggests that Rotel has either found the dirty little secrets of 90% the reviewers out there and is adept at blackmail, or it sounds pretty good - you'll have to work out that for yourself.

The Real Music Company, Wellington

Rega Planet $1,500 / Arcam CD73T $1,500 / Rotel RCD-02 $1,100

Proving that there is more than one solution a this price level, we recommend the three players above according to the customer's music preferences and system/room requirements.

The Rega is at home with most music types, proving to be a very rhythmic and musical player with excellent timing that behaves well with a surprising range of equipment, though naturally being a t home within it's own nest of Rega products.

However the top-loading Rega player does not work in all set ups so here the Arcam and the Rotel (pictured) step in nicely. The Rotel is often recommended to customer's looking for a punchy bass-driven rock sound, loving music for the modern dance-floor or electronica. The Arcam suits those more inclined to an acoustic world, delivery with ease the complexities of large orchestral works, or the rhythmic detail of alt-country. Rega Planet review. Rotel RCD-02 review

Naim CD5i $2700

With the recent introduction of the Naim CD5i player a new benchmark CD player at this price point has arrived. Capable of delivery an astonishing amount of musical detail for the dollars asked, the Naim CD5i has meet with an enthusiast response due its un-fussy delivery of a very musical, yet muscular sound. With the introduction of a couple of phono plugs alongside the standard Naim 5-pin din outputs, this player is making a lot of friends from both within the Naim world and without.

Naim CDS3 $23,800

No hesitation here. The reference player in-store continues to be the latest top-line player from Naim. This two box player - the second box being the necessary (not optional) external power supply - delivers as musical sound as CD can deliver, with an often astonishing clarity and musicality in a totally non-fatiguing manner. Coupled with a well matched system the CDS3 inhabits that rare audio world where you can sit back and enjoy a system with the only concern being what CD to play next. The Naim CDS3 also comes with either Naim’s preferred 5-pin DIN output or standard phono plugs as required.

Peter Munt, Eastern Hi-Fi, Newmarket, Auckland

Musical Fidelity A3.2 upsampling CD player $2999

Not only is this player extremely well engineered both inside and out, it is true high end performer in the sense of its ability to make music, not sound but music. At first one may feel a bit so-so about the presentation of the recordings, as nothing leaps out and attacks you. But as you listen to the player some more you'll find it draws you into the music more and more. The A3.2 has a relaxed feel to it, nice and smooth with the ablity to reproduce a sense of scale when required, but never leaving out the finer points of a recording.

You'll probably notice the player more when you take it out of the system and go back to what you had, and can hear what is now missing. Above all this player gets you tapping along with the music and allows you to relax and enjoy. At its price point the A3.2 is hard to beat.

Denon DCD-685 $699

Denon doesn't make too many CD players these days and while this machine is a step above the entry level in price, it is a large step up in what it does musically. The DCD-685 has a very natural sound and one that seems to fit in with most systems. The Denon has great detail, lovely midrange and nice detailed top end, with great bass line detail and a general feel of involvement in the music.

Denon's typical build quality and bullet proof reliability top off a player that is easily overlooked. Its modest appearence may fool you into thinking its just another mid-priced player but have listen and you will find this little guy punches well above its weight.

Arcam CD73T $1499

When you look at the Arcam Diva range of CD players they all look the same, but just because they all share the same case does not mean the sound the same. Arcam have managed to fit a fantastic machine into their range, improving on the old CD72 (itself a very fine machine). As usual with the team at Arcam the most important feature of this machine is sound quality. The sense of depth that this player is able to bring to music is amazing at this price, while the CD73 leaves in the pace and timing that a lot of players seem to leave out. It has great detail, but not so much that it is bright or in-your-face. On vocals it can capture the whole voice and give it a sense of realism that you normally find in much more expensive machines.

At home on all styles of music, from simple peices to complex works, classical to rock, this player copes with all of these with ease with a nice balance. The CD73T seems to fit into most systems easily. Ignore this new kid on the block at your peril.