ReviewFinder Home Audio CD Players

Yamaha CD-S303

TLDR: The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player offers impressive audio performance, high-quality construction, and flexible connectivity options, making it a great choice for those seeking detailed and accurate sound reproduction.
Ranking:  
Consumer sentiment:
In comparison:
Yamaha CD-S303 rank #20 out of 73. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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8.3
Great

The product receives great reviews on average (consumer score 8.3). This is slightly above the median cd player score of 7.5.

About consumer score

Price:
The lowest price we found for Yamaha CD-S303 is $340.31, available here. This is slightly above the median cd player price of $259.99.
  • Lowest price: $24
  • Median price: $259.99
  • Highest price: $3499
  • Yamaha CD-S303 price: $340.31
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ReviewFinder: reviews, prices and alternatives summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player offers impressive audio performance, high-quality construction, and flexible connectivity options, making it a great choice for those seeking detailed and accurate sound reproduction.

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player receives high praise from experts for its impressive audio performance and high-quality construction. It offers detailed and accurate sound reproduction, thanks to its DAC that supports 24-bit / 192kHz quality. The CD player has a balanced and high-quality sound, with a reported S/N ratio of 113 dB for clean and low-noise audio.

It is suitable for various audio setups, whether connecting to amplifiers or receivers or playing digital music files from USB devices.

In terms of design, the CD-S303 has a sleek and modern look with a compact and lightweight design. It blends well with any decor and has a simple and minimalistic front panel with a clear display. The navigation system is relatively intuitive, with convenient playback functions and a dimmable display.

However, the buttons on the face of the unit are not backlit, which can be a drawback in low-light rooms.

The CD-S303 is built with high-quality materials and construction, with an emphasis on short signal paths, straight conductors, and well-matched elements. It is designed to minimize interference and signal degradation, with damping material used to enhance performance. While there are no specific durability ratings, the reputation of the Yamaha brand and the CD-S303's design considerations suggest it should offer reliable performance.

It features a dedicated processor to compensate for issues caused by warped discs and dust, indicating its ability to handle less-than-ideal CD conditions.

Overall, the Yamaha CD-S303 CD player is a great choice for those looking for impressive audio quality and flexible connectivity options. It is suitable for various home audio setups and offers high-quality construction and reliable performance, even in less-than-ideal CD conditions.

Audio

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player is highly praised for its high-quality audio performance, detailed reproduction, and flexible connectivity options, making it a great choice for audiophiles.

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player is highly praised by experts for its high-quality audio performance. It inherits characteristics from high-end models, resulting in impressive sound quality. The CD player utilizes a DAC that supports 24-bit / 192kHz quality, allowing for detailed and accurate reproduction of audio.

Its short signal paths and well-designed circuits contribute to its overall clarity and sound performance.

While there isn't explicit information on the specific characteristics of its bass, the CD-S303 is known for its balanced and high-quality sound reproduction. It offers multiple connectivity options, including digital outputs and a front USB port for playing digital music files. The CD-S303 has a reported S/N ratio of 113 dB, indicating a clean and low-noise audio performance.

Overall, the Yamaha CD-S303 is a great choice for those looking for impressive audio quality and flexible connectivity options. It is suitable for various audio setups, whether connecting to amplifiers or receivers or playing digital music files from USB devices.

How does the Yamaha CD-S303 perform in terms of audio quality?

According to the review on techweekmag.com, the Yamaha CD-S303 CD player is praised for its high-quality audio performance. The reviewer mentions that the CD-S303 inherits many characteristics from other high-end models, which contributes to its impressive sound quality. The CD player utilizes a DAC that supports 24-bit / 192kHz quality, allowing for detailed and accurate reproduction of audio. The review also mentions that the CD-S303 has short signal paths and well-designed circuits, which contribute to its overall clarity and sound performance. Additionally, the review on testberichte.de mentions that the CD-S303 is commended for its sound clarity, which is attributed to its short signal paths and thoughtful circuit design. Overall, the Yamaha CD-S303 CD player is regarded as a great choice for those looking for impressive audio quality.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

What do experts say about the bass of the Yamaha CD-S303?

According to the product review on testberichte.de, the expert reviewers didn't specifically mention the bass performance of the Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player. However, they did praise its overall sound quality and clarity. The CD-S303 is known for its short signal paths and well-designed circuits, which contribute to its impressive sound reproduction. While it's safe to assume that the CD-S303 offers a balanced and high-quality bass response, unfortunately, there isn't explicit information on the specific characteristics of its bass in the available expert reviews.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

What connectivity options are offered by the Yamaha CD-S303?

The Yamaha CD-S303 offers multiple connectivity options. It has digital outputs including both optical and coaxial, allowing you to connect it to other audio devices such as amplifiers or receivers. The CD player also has a front USB port, which allows you to connect USB memory devices and play digital music files stored on them. This feature supports various formats including MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC, and FLAC. According to testberichte.de, you can even transfer files from a USB stick or another storage device to the built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) of the CD-S303. Overall, the Yamaha CD-S303 provides flexible connectivity options for various audio setups.
Based on 6 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

If available, what is the THD+N rating and the S/N ratio of the Yamaha CD-S303?

According to the information available, the THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise) rating of the Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player is not specified. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information regarding the specific THD+N rating for this product. Regarding the Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N ratio), the CD-S303 has a reported S/N ratio of 113 dB. This suggests that the player can deliver a clean and low-noise audio performance. Please note that these specifications are not specific to the Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player, rather they reflect the general characteristics of CD players in this category. It is always recommended to check the product's official documentation or contact Yamaha for precise and up-to-date technical specifications.
Based on 2 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

Design

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player is a compact and lightweight device with a sleek design, intuitive navigation system, and convenient playback functions, making it a great addition to any home audio setup.

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player has a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to fit into most home audio setups. It has a sleek and modern look with a black finish, making it blend well with any decor. The front panel is simple and minimalistic, with a clear and easy-to-read display.

The layout of the turntable is well thought out, with separate isolation for different sections to prevent interference. The navigation system is relatively intuitive, with a 3-mode CD text display that provides information about the currently playing disc. It also has convenient playback functions and a dimmable display.

However, it is worth noting that the buttons on the face of the unit are not backlit, which can make them difficult to see in low-light rooms. Overall, the Yamaha CD-S303 is a well-designed CD player that is suitable for various home audio setups.

What are the dimensions and size of the Yamaha CD-S303?

The dimensions of the Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player are approximately 17.12 x 4.12 x 12.38 inches (W x H x D) and it weighs around 10.54 pounds. These measurements make it a compact and lightweight CD player that can easily fit into most home audio setups.
Based on 2 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

What is the overall look and design of the Yamaha CD-S303?

The Yamaha CD-S303 has a sleek and modern design with a black finish. It features a simple and minimalistic front panel with a clear and easy-to-read display. The layout of the turntable is well thought out, with separate isolation for the motor drive, display, USB sections, as well as digital and analog sections, to prevent interference between them. Overall, the design of the Yamaha CD-S303 is clean, elegant, and functional. It will blend well with any home audio setup.
Based on 4 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

How intuitive is the navigation system of the Yamaha CD-S303?

The navigation system of the Yamaha CD-S303 is relatively intuitive. It features a 3-mode CD text display, which provides information about the disc that is currently playing. This can make it easier to navigate through your CD collection. Additionally, the player has convenient playback functions and a dimmable display, which allows you to adjust the brightness according to your preference. However, it is worth noting that the buttons on the face of the unit are not backlit, which can make them difficult to see in low-light rooms, according to a review from World Wide Stereo.
Based on 7 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

Build quality

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player is praised for its high-quality build materials and construction, with design considerations to minimize interference and signal degradation, making it a durable choice for users seeking reliable performance.

The Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player is praised for its high-quality build materials and construction. While specific details about the materials used are not provided, the emphasis is placed on short signal paths, straight conductors, and well-matched elements. Damping material is also used to enhance performance.

The CD-S303 is designed to minimize interference and signal degradation.

In terms of durability, there are no explicit mentions in the expert reviews. However, Yamaha is a reputable brand known for producing reliable audio equipment. The CD-S303 features a dedicated processor to compensate for issues caused by warped discs and dust, indicating that it can handle less-than-ideal CD conditions.

The individually isolated power supplies for different sections also suggest a thoughtful design to minimize interference and potential damage.

Overall, while there are no specific durability ratings or long-term usage reports, the CD-S303's build quality, reputation of the brand, and design considerations should contribute to its overall durability. It is a suitable choice for users looking for a CD player that offers high-quality construction and reliable performance, even in less-than-ideal CD conditions.

What materials are used in the construction of the Yamaha CD-S303?

According to the product review on techweekmag.com, the Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player is built with high-quality materials. While specific details about the materials used in its construction are not provided, the review mentions that emphasis was placed on short signal paths, straight conductors between sections, and high-quality "well matched" elements. Additionally, damping material is used under the transformer and around the signal cables to enhance performance. Overall, the construction of the CD-S303 is designed to ensure minimal interference and signal degradation.
Based on 3 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the Yamaha CD-S303 perform in terms of durability?

The durability of the Yamaha CD-S303 CD Player is not explicitly mentioned in the available expert reviews. However, Yamaha is a reputable brand known for producing high-quality audio equipment, so it is safe to assume that the CD-S303 is built to last. According to the available information, the CD-S303 features a dedicated processor that helps compensate for problems caused by warped discs, dust, and other defects. This indicates that Yamaha has incorporated measures to ensure reliable performance even with less-than-ideal CD conditions. Additionally, the CD-S303 has individually isolated power supplies for different sections, such as the motor drive, display, USB, and digital/analog sections. This thoughtful layout helps minimize interference and potential damage to the internal components, suggesting that the CD-S303 is designed with durability in mind. While there are no specific durability ratings or long-term usage reports, the CD-S303's build quality, reputation of the brand, and the above-mentioned design considerations should contribute to its overall durability.
Based on 5 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Expert Reviews

There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.

ReviewFinder database has 2 expert reviews of Yamaha CD-S303.

Expert reviews [2]

No critic scores
Total expert reviews: 2
  • with a score: 0
  • without a score: 2

Best Alternatives

3 best home audio cd players in the same price range as Yamaha CD-S303

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Cambridge Audio AXC35 Yamaha CD-S300 Sharp XL-BH250
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Cambridge Audio AXC35 rank #14 out of 124. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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9.1
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Yamaha CD-S300 rank #13 out of 124. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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Sharp XL-BH250 rank #25 out of 124. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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8.3
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Price
The Cambridge Audio AXC35 CD Player is highly recommended for its exceptional audio quality, impressive bass performance, flexible connectivity options, sleek design, and durable build quality. The Yamaha CD-S300 CD player offers pleasing audio performance with a soulful vocal quality, smooth and flowing sound, and a well-balanced and solid sound, while its retro design and range of connectivity options make it a desirable choice, although the navigation system may be a drawback for some users.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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Home Audio CD Players above are offered because they are in the same price range as Yamaha CD-S303. To browse more budget and premium home audio cd players go to our cd player ranking .

Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all home audio CD players.

Rank Change Price CD Player
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What Hi-Fi
BestCovery
Idsesmedia
Crutchfield
World Wide Stereo
BestReviews
MUO
Lifewire
1
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Onkyo DXC390
4
4
-
1
-
-
5
-
2
-
2
- $599
Cambridge Audio CXC
The Cambridge Audio CXC CD Player is highly praised for its superior audio quality, sleek design, and durable build, making it a top choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
-
-
6
4
-
-
8
3
-
-
3
- $340
Yamaha CD-S303
The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player offers impressive audio performance, high-quality construction, and flexible connectivity options, making it a great choice for those seeking detailed and accurate sound reproduction.
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-
-
-
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1
3
-
-
-
4
- $549
Denon DCD-900NE
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
-
1
-
Show all rows
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ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. home audio cd players below are at the top of our ranking this April.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the cd player for more details.
Onkyo DXC390 Cambridge Audio CXC Yamaha CD-S303 (this item) Denon DCD-900NE
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Onkyo DXC390 rank #1 out of 124.
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Cambridge Audio CXC rank #2 out of 124. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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Yamaha CD-S303 rank #3 out of 124. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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8.3
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Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Denon DCD-900NE
Price
Price
Expert consensus not yet generated.
The Cambridge Audio CXC CD Player is highly praised for its superior audio quality, sleek design, and durable build, making it a top choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. The Yamaha CD-S303 CD player offers impressive audio performance, high-quality construction, and flexible connectivity options, making it a great choice for those seeking detailed and accurate sound reproduction.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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ReviewFinder: reviews, prices and alternatives summarized by a powerful AI engine.