CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

GET THE RIGHT PLAYER AND CD CAN STILL SHINE

Cambridge CXC £299

Awards 2015 ★★★★★

If you already have a DAC (the CXC is useless without one) we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player.

Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical

Marantz CD6007 £399

Best CD player under £500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better.

Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical

Musical Fidelity M2SCD £699

June 2020 ★★★★★

Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition.

Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical

Naim Cd5si £1149

October 2014 ★★★★★

The Cd5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music. The absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path.

Type CD player Outputs Line-out, DIN

Cyrus CDI £1195

Best CD player over £500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after listening to how confident and entertaining it sounds, it’s hard to disagree. Type CD player Outputs Line-out, coaxial, optical

Roksan Caspian M2 CD £1999

Awards 2010 ★★★★★

The Caspian M2 CD has been around the block and is showing few signs of its age but it still combines skill with timing, dynamics and authority.

Type CD player Outputs Line-out, coaxial, optical, USB, XLR

Marantz SA-10 £5999

April 2018 ★★★★★

One of the best digital source components around. Its unfussy disposition allows it to sound at home across a wide range of systems.

Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical

Chord Blu MKII £7995

January 2018 ★★★★★

The most informative and enjoyable sound we’ve heard from the CD format. Partner it with the DAVE and we doubt you can do better. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial x2 Inputs Coaxial, USB

Audiolab M-DAC+ £695

August 2016 ★★★★★

Audiolab’s follow up to the M-DAC gets a great deal right with a sound that’s neat, tidy and expansive. The M-DAC+ demands your attention. Inputs Coaxial x2, optical x2 Size 11 x 25 x 29cm Res 32-bit/384khz

Chord Qutest £1195

Best DAC £500-£1200, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

As with the 2Qute, the Qutest is a superior DAC which sets a new benchmark at this price with its clear and precise performance.

Inputs Coax x2, opt, USB Size 4 x 16 x 7cm Res 32-bit/768khz PCM, DSD512

Chord Hugo 2 £1895

Best DAC over £1200, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

The Hugo 2 has a hefty price tag but, at this level, there isn’t another DAC near that can communicate so unambiguously or so effortlessly. Inputs Coax, opt, USB, BT Size 2 x 10 x 13cm Res 32-bit/768khz

Chord DAVE £7995

Awards 2016 ★★★★★

The uniquely named DAVE costs a lot, but we’d argue it’s the best DAC money can buy. Build quality is excellent and the sound is very special.

Inputs Coaxial x2, opt x2, XLR Size 6 x 34 x 15cm Res 32-bit/768khz

Nagra HD DAC/MPS £23,600

September 2018 ★★★★★

An effort that boasts a natural, fluid and informative sound. If you’re in the market for the ultimate DAC, this would certainly be a frontrunner. Inputs Coax x2, opt, AES/EBU x2, USB Res 24-bit/384khz