March 2024
Home Audio CD Players: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of home audio CD players rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2024.
Summary
On 7 Mar 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 61 CD player endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
47 CD players were endorsed in total, only 9 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 7 Mar 2024, Onkyo DXC390 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed CD player with 5 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 5 recommended it as the '#1 CD player' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Marantz: 6 CD players
(#1 is Marantz CD6007)
-
Denon: 4 CD players
(#1 is Denon DCD-900NE)
-
Yamaha: 3 CD players
(#1 is Yamaha CD-S303)
-
Onkyo: 2 CD players
(#1 is Onkyo DXC390)
-
Cambridge: 2 CD players
(#1 is Cambridge Audio CXC)
Price breakdown
At a glance - March Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | CD Player |
Lifewire
|
MUO
|
BestReviews
|
World Wide Stereo
|
Crutchfield
|
Idsesmedia
|
BestCovery
|
What Hi-Fi
|
history-computer.com
|
iMore
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | Check price |
Onkyo DXC390
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
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.
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
- | $342 |
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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
- | Check price |
Denon DCD-900NE
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
- | $710 |
Teac PD 301 CD Player
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
- | $940 |
Bose Wave Music System IV
The Bose Wave Music System IV is a highly praised audio system that delivers exceptional sound quality, offers versatile connectivity options, and has a sleek and durable design.
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
7
|
- | $599 |
Marantz CD6007
The Marantz CD6007 CD Player is highly recommended for its exceptional audio quality, premium design, and solid build quality, making it a standout choice for audiophiles seeking a reliable and long-lasting CD player.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
- | $150 |
Toshiba CWU700
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
14
|
- | Check price |
Marantz ND8006
The Marantz ND8006 CD Player is highly praised for its exceptional audio quality, versatile connectivity options, premium design, and high build quality, making it a recommended choice for audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
We ranked Onkyo DXC390 #1 in March 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Onkyo DXC390 as #1.
MUO
Best Budget
Six-disc capability
Heavily shielded construction
Delivers crystal-clear playback
Analog and digital outputs
|
No USB port
|
World Wide Stereo
The Best Multi-Disc CD Player / Best 2023 Gear
6 Disc Carousel keeps the tunes playing. User friendly remote control.
|
Takes up more space depth-wise than a traditional single disc CD player.
|
iMore
Change it up
Multiple CD slots
Continuous playback options
Plays different types of CDs
|
No wireless options
No app
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio CXC #2 in March 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
BestReviews
Unrivaled Sound
Will sound great day one which allows users to hear “crisper” versions of each instrument.
Boasts a straightforward setup with an easy-to-use remote and sensible button display.
|
No radio or Bluetooth capabilities.
|
World Wide Stereo
The Best CD Player Without a DAC / Best 2023 Gear
Clean, timeless design, with top-of-the-line playback capabilities.
|
Doesn't come with a built-in DAC. To some, this is a draw, to others, it's one more element to add to their system. This piece is made for someone looking for a performance-grade system made up of selected components.
|
What Hi-Fi
If you already own a DAC, you can buy this entry-level CD transport instead of a standalone player. Trust us, its sound will impress.
Musicality and muscle
Well-built
Good remote control
|
It requires an external DAC
Getting older now
Minimal for some
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend home audio CD players.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of home audio CD players, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for March 2024 ranking
We ranked Yamaha CD-S303 #3 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yamaha CD-S303 as #1.
World Wide Stereo
The Best All-In-One CD Player / The Best 2022 Gear
3-Mode CD Text Display will give you information about the disc currently playing. Digital servo will make quick work of those scratched or scuffed discs that won’t play in other CD Players.
|
Buttons on face of the unit are not back-lit and can be difficult to see in low-light rooms.
|
We ranked Denon DCD-900NE #4 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Denon DCD-900NE as #1.
MUO
Best CD Player Overall
Excellent sound quality
Low noise
Lossless audio playback via USB
Premium design
|
Can't play SACDs
|
World Wide Stereo
The Best DJ CD Player / Best 2023 Gear
Built in DAC and well thought out design make this player a value for the prices tag, Pure Direct Mode.
|
Does not support gapless playback on the USB stick side of the player.
|
We ranked Teac PD 301 CD Player #5 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Teac PD 301 CD Player as #1.
Lifewire
Best for Compact Spaces
User-friendly controls
Beautiful, compact design
TEAC tray-loader included
Low signal-to-noise ratio for an exceptional hi-fi experience
|
Display is difficult to read at times
|
iMore
Great for apartment living
Tiny
Playback of multiple file types
Offers digital to analog audio converters
|
High price
Doesn't include speakers
|
We ranked Bose Wave Music System IV #6 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bose Wave Music System IV as #1.
BestReviews
Most Comprehensive
Using Bose’s “Waveguide” technology, sound is able to permeate throughout the listener’s room making for an immersive music experience.
Able to play radio, MP3, CD, and Bluetooth.
|
You will need an adapter to utilize the Bluetooth technology.
|
We ranked Marantz CD6007 #7 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
World Wide Stereo
The Best Single-Disc CD Player / Best 2023 Gear
Upgraded HDAM module for more accurate listening sessions. Built-in headphone amplifier that’s able to be turned on and off as needed.
|
None. This is a great piece of equipment.
|
What Hi-Fi
Awards 2023 winner. With detail, dynamics and a beautifully clear sound, this is a sensational entry-level CD player.
Class-leading insight
More dramatic presentation
Excellent build and finish
|
Looks like previous models
|
We ranked Marantz ND8006 #9 in March 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
iMore
Pricey, but premium
Supports AirPlay 2, Alexa, Google Assistant
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB Connectivity
High-quality audio conversion
|
Yes, the price
Overkill for most
Just one CD slot
|