January 2025
Home Audio CD Players: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of home audio CD players rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2025.
Summary
On 9 Jan 2025, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 66 CD player endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
53 CD players were endorsed in total, only 7 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 9 Jan 2025, 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: 5 CD players
(#1 is Marantz CD6007)
-
Denon: 4 CD players
(#1 is Denon DCD-900NE)
-
Yamaha: 3 CD players
(#1 is Yamaha CD-S303)
-
Sony: 3 CD players
(#1 is Sony BDP-S6700)
-
Onkyo: 2 CD players
(#1 is Onkyo DXC390)
Price breakdown
At a glance - January Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | CD Player |
Best Products
|
BestCovery
|
Idsesmedia
|
Crutchfield
|
Lifewire
|
MUO
|
BestReviews
|
World Wide Stereo
|
What Hi-Fi
|
treblezine.com
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $319 |
Onkyo DXC390
|
6
|
1
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
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.
|
5
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
7
|
5
|
|
3
|
- | $330 |
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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $549 |
Denon DCD-900NE
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | Check price |
Cambridge Audio AXC35
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.
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $590 |
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
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $429 |
Denon DCD-600NE
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
We ranked Onkyo DXC390 #1 in January 2025 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Onkyo DXC390 as #1.
Best Products
Best CD Changer
|
Stores up to six CDs
High-end DAC
|
On-device controls limited
|
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
|
6 Disc Carousel keeps the tunes playing. User friendly remote control.
|
Takes up more space depth-wise than a traditional single disc CD player.
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio CXC #2 in January 2025 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
Best Products
Best CD Transport
|
Uncompromising digital audio
Smooths out CD imperfections
|
Clunky remote control
|
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.
|
What Hi-Fi
Best budget CD transport
|
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 January 2025 ranking
Best Products
BestCovery
Idsesmedia
Crutchfield
Lifewire
MUO
BestReviews
World Wide Stereo
What Hi-Fi
treblezine.com
We ranked Yamaha CD-S303 #3 in January 2025 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
|
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 January 2025 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 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
|
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 Cambridge Audio AXC35 #5 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
Best Products
Best Budget HI-FI Cd Players
|
Excellent value for money
Pairs with external DAC
|
Lacks optical output
|
What Hi-Fi
The Best Budget
|
Good detail resolution
Fits well within AX series
Minimalist design
|
Can be beaten for sound
Functional build
No optical output
|
We ranked Marantz CD6007 #6 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
World Wide Stereo
The Best Single-Disc CD Player
|
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
The Best Mid-Range
|
Class-leading insight
More dramatic presentation
Excellent build and finish
|
Looks like previous models
|
We ranked Denon DCD-600NE #7 in January 2025 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best home audio CD players” rankings.
BestReviews
Best bang for the buck
|
Includes a “pure direct mode” which allows the listener to hear the music as initially intended.
Comes in a vibration-resistant case that will stop CDs from getting scratched if bumped.
|
Does not come with a digital output which may discourage use in some sound systems.
|