Play All Your Favorites With The Best CD Players

Onkyo's brand name speaks for itself amongst audiophiles and gear heads, and while they are better known for their receivers, this changer does what it does very well, especially for the price it can be had at these days. It delivers a clean, neutral signal without any severe coloration, and should pair well with nearly any system short of summit-fi speakers and headphones, so long as ultimate detail is not am expectation. It will also allow the remaining five CDs to be changed while one is playing, an oft-neglected convenience. The only real drawback to the DXC390 is its size: while its 17-inch width is relatively standard, it is also 18 inches deep, noticeably larger than 5-disc carousels. It also comes in at nearly 6 inches tall, also noticeably larger than most CD players or changers, so be ready to modify your system if necessary. This one caveat aside, the DXC390 is a solid, reliable unit that produces excellent sound for the price.

Easily the best quality CD changer currently in production, the Denon earns its price, delivering the build and sound quality enthusiasts have come to expect from the Japanese firm. While it lacks the premium feel and heft of the NAD, the Denon is still built well, and has the ability to stand the test of time, if properly cared for. It has both coaxial and optical outputs for those with more advanced systems who are picky about connections, and while it lacks SACD capabilities that hardcore audiophiles demand, it will play high-capacity MP3 CDs, meaning that those who aren't obsessive about hearing every last detail in the music can store up to over 100 hours of tunes in its 5-disc carousel. Fans of the Denon house sound will immediately recognize the warm, rich, melodic tone common to nearly all Denon products; some, especially analytical listeners, may prefer the more neutral tones of the NAD or Onkyo changers. Bass lovers, however, should be quite pleased with the Denon's rich sound signature, which combines with a wide sonic image to create a very impressive, involving sound. Its an easy source to love, and even easier to recommend to anyone looking for a convenient source to round out a home speaker system.

Though better known for their high-end kit, TEAC is as good an option as any if absolute fidelity is not a concern. It's an especially attractive unit, and produces good quality sound, though not in the same league as changers from Denon or NAD, and is bested by the Onkyo as well, though not by as much. It has a neutral to warm tone with a shade of extra bass, and delivers a fairly standard presentation. Treble is not as exciting as it can be on the higher-end players in this list, and while it has a fuller sound, it doesn't quite match it's levels of detail. However when push comes to shove, for a player that can be bought for a single bill, the TEAC has nothing to be ashamed of, and I have to say, it looks cooler than anything else on the list!

The Cambridge offers the versatility of a standalone DAC with the convenience of an all-in-one unit. It's solidly-built aluminum chassis inspires confidence and makes it feel like a truly premium product. Unlike it's predecessor, the 840C, the new flagship includes a pre-amp to give your system a bit more juice to help your headphones or speakers reach that last level of refinement.

The Cambridge is not for lovers of a warm sound; those expecting a lively, fun sound would be better served by Rotel's latest, while lovers of a more relaxing, private sound may prefer the newest offering from Marantz.

Anyone in search of ultimate detail, on the other hand, could hardly be disappointed by Cambridge's new flagship. Perfect for critical listening, the Cambridge sports a sound signature that, despite not having the largest dynamic range or bass impact, reproduces high quality recordings with precision accuracy and a lean sound perfectly suited for analytical listening and professional applications - have no doubt, this is a mastering-grade source and can be put to work as such without worries of missing a single detail.

Sporting the well-known Marantz house sound, this CD player delivers an improved version of the same smooth, relaxing signature that the fist top-shelf CD player known to the world, the Marantz CD-63, used to captivate the attention of audiophiles who had never heard any music source even begin to approach the quality of vinyl. CDs have since become known as the second most authentic method of reproducing recorded music, after vinyl, of course, and are perhaps the most popular source material for modern audiophiles.

Unlike most of the products mentioned here, the SA8004 is not the flagship model in Marantzs lineup; while a $1,000 for a CD player might seem like its already too much for a CD player to some, Marantz has models running all the way up to $4000 MSRP. This one, however, represents the sweet-spot in Marantzs lineup for music lovers seeking quality sound without breaking the bank, and despite its $999 MSRP, the Marantz can easily be had for less than $700 on ebay or through online dealers, making it perhaps the best bang-for-buck offering listed here. Its warm, easy-going sound is less dynamic and fun than the RCD-1570, and not as spacious or detailed as the Cambridge, but lovers of a smooth, relaxing signature will be very pleased with the Marantz. For the headphone lovers out there, Marantz products, with their warmer sound, tend to compliment brighter, less bassy headphones like those from Grado and AKG. On balance, though, the Marantz is a stellar all-around player and has an easy-to-like sound that is not extremely picky about source material, and will sound great with most systems.