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
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking home audio CD players start at $25.99 (Coby Compact Anti-Skip) and go up to $2609.96 (Marantz SACD 30n). Median CD player costs $399 (Cambridge Audio AXC35).
$25.99
$2609.96

At a glance - March Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
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.
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
6

; ; ;
#13 $149.99 Toshiba CWU700
#3 $341.95 Yamaha CD-S303
#2 $599 Cambridge Audio CXC
#7 $599 Marantz CD6007
#5 $709.99 Teac PD 301 CD Player
#6 $939.99 Bose Wave Music System IV

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.
Critic endorsements:
MUO

Best Budget

Six-disc capability
Heavily shielded construction
Delivers crystal-clear playback
Analog and digital outputs

No USB port

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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.

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BestCovery

Best CD Player Overall

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history-computer.com

Best Multi-Disc

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iMore

Change it up

Multiple CD slots
Continuous playback options
Plays different types of CDs

No wireless options
No app

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We ranked Cambridge Audio CXC #2 in March 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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.

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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.

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BestCovery

Best looking cd player

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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

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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.
Critic endorsements:
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.

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Crutchfield

Best budget CD player

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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.
Critic endorsements:
MUO

Best CD Player Overall

Excellent sound quality
Low noise
Lossless audio playback via USB
Premium design

Can't play SACDs

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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.

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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.
Critic endorsements:
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

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iMore

Great for apartment living

Tiny
Playback of multiple file types
Offers digital to analog audio converters

High price
Doesn't include speakers

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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.
Critic endorsements:
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.

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history-computer.com

Best Overall CD Player

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We ranked Marantz CD6007 #7 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
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.

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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

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We ranked Toshiba CWU700 #8 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
MUO

Best All-in-One

Beautiful vintage design
Loads of playback options
Powerful stereo speakers
Useful LED display

Does not support Hi-Res audio

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history-computer.com

Best Vintage Style

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We ranked Marantz ND8006 #9 in March 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
history-computer.com

Best Sound

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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

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