CD Players Reviews

Best CD Players Reviews: (out of 10)
Etown, Stereophile Ultimate AV, Consumer Reports

Best CD Players: (out of 12)
Technics SLMC7, Denon DCM-370, Technics SLPD8

Fast Answers - Best CD Players

Top Rated	What the Research Says
• Technics SLMC7 (*est. $200) >> Where to buy	Reviewers say the Technics SLMC7 mega-changer represents exceptional quality for the money. This unit holds 110 discs and can rifle through all of them in less than 11 seconds. Technics strays from the traditional doughnut-shaped mega-changer carousel with this model, opting instead for an easy-to-use straight tray that's a hit with the experts.
• Denon DCM-370 (*est. $275) >> Where to buy	This isn't your run-of-the-mill five-disc changer: Reviewers say its HDCD processing capabilities actually increase the audio quality of your HDCD discs (and your regular audio CDs don't sound bad, either). According to one credible source, "There's no better CD changer for under $300."
• Technics SLPD8 (*est. $150) >> Where to buy	Experts say this simple, low-priced five-disc changer is an excellent value. Like the slightly more expensive Technics SLMC7 (which holds 110 discs), this unit is praised for its disc-to-disc speed, ease of use and variety of play options. You can also change up to four discs while the fifth one is playing.
• Sony CDP-CX350 (*est. $450) >> Where to buy	This 300-disc jukebox has more luxury features than the Technics SLMC7. The CX350 can store 600 discs in memory and remember and skip the tracks you don't like; it also has the ability to hook up and read from other Sony changers, as well as a two-way remote that sends and receives play information.
• Sony SCD-1 (*est. $4500) >> Where to buy	If you have the money, reviewers say this single-disc player is worth the price. The SCD-1 delivers smooth, full sound whether it's playing 16-bit CDs or 20-bit SACDs (Super Audio Compact Discs). Stereophile Magazine says the SCD-1 delivers "the weight and solidarity of analog minus vinyl's deficiencies."
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What the experts say, our analysis, and more...

Of the thousands of home CD players on the market, which cost anywhere from $75 to $20,000, experts say two models are best: The Technics SLMC7 mega-changer (*est. $200) and the Denon DCM370 carousel changer (*est. $275). According to reviewers, the Technics SLMC7 is an exceptional value thanks to its extremely fast disc-changing speed, ease of use and solid performance. The Technics also gets high marks for ditching the conventional doughnut-shaped mega-changer in favor of a straight tray, which makes it less of a hassle to transport discs to and from the changer.

With its HDCD (high definition compatible digital) chip, the Denon DCM370 has the ability to make your (HDCD-encoded) discs sound better. The DCM370 is a favorite of the top-rated source in our chart, Etown, which says, "There's no better CD changer for under $300." Productopia calls the Denon "one of the best deals you can find," but points out that its remote control lacks a power button and its console lacks a random play button - relatively minor drawbacks, given this unit's excellent performance and low price. ... Continued

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Consensus Report

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Product	Price
4	Technics SLMC7 (*est. $200)	-
4	Sony CDP CX350 (*est. $175)	-
3	Denon DCM-370 (*est. $300)	-
2	Technics SLPD8 (*est. $150)	-
2	Yamaha CDC675 (*est. $250)
2	Linn Sondek	-
2	Sony CDP CE525x (*est. $250)	-
2	Sony SCD-1 (*est. $4500)	-
1 each	JVC XLFZ258BK1, Harmon FL8550, ADCOM GCD-750, Pioneer PDF17

The top-rated models are all represented in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. Although it's only picked twice, we included the Sony SCD-1 because of its glowing review in Stereophile magazine.

Building Blocks

DVD audio and 20-bit SACD formats have stolen the spotlight from plain old 16-bit CDs. Sites that give the skinny on consumer electronics are so flooded with new audio products that many have put CD players on the back burner. Among reviewers that keep up with standard CD players, we found Etown particularly credible. The Etown staff writes about consumer electronics with far more detail than publications like Consumer Reports, and they provide more balanced evaluations than sites like Productopia. Though Stereophile Magazine's reviews are short - the staff excerpted from past reviews to create the magazine's Recommended Components 2000 List - its methodology is clearly documented and convincing.

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