What is the best home audio CD player?
In today’s rapidly changing world of streaming, it can be difficult to understand the use of a physical musical medium. What a lot of people don’t realize is that you’re paying for audio quality to stream whatever you want. This is why some people prefer to use CDs and even record players, at least in the comfort of their homes.
The best home audio CD player is the Yamaha CD-S1000BL Natural Sound Super Audio CD Player. It separates power from each function to limit feedback in your music.
What to know before buying a home audio CD player
Types of Home Audio CD Players
There are a few types of home audio CD player.
- Only drives only hold one CD at a time. They have the fewest components, which means they are less prone to mechanical failure and have more subtle internal vibrations. They thus offer the best possible sound quality.
- Changer the drives hold multiple CDs and can freely swap between them. They usually hold at least five or six discs, but the largest can hold hundreds. With all the extra parts needed to have this feature, they are more likely to need repairs and have more internal vibration. They therefore have a lower sound quality.
- Universal drives read multiple types of disc media. The most common are DVD and Blu-ray players that can read CDs. Most video game consoles with disc drives can also play CDs. These players emphasize video quality rather than sound and hence have the worst audio quality only.
Compatible formats
The “CD” in home audio CD players says it reads compact discs, but compact discs store different formats of audio that not all CD players can read. Every CD player can play standard CDs, with most also playing CD-R/RW discs (CDs you record on to create mixtapes). Premium players can also play high definition and super audio CDs.
Some CD players can also play MP3 and Windows Media Player files from your phone or a USB flash drive.
What to Look for in a Quality Home Audio CD Player
Fashions
Basic home audio CD players have a play, pause, skip and stop function. Better single players can automatically repeat a song or the entire CD. Better changer players can shuffle song selection or let you choose your song order among all your CDs.
Remote
Some home audio CD players come with remote controls so you can control them without getting out of bed or the couch.
Headphone jack
Some home audio CD players have headphone jacks so you can listen to your music without disturbing anyone. Keep in mind that the highest quality speakers will always outperform the highest quality headphones.
Anti-jump
The best home audio CD players have anti-skip measures to prevent any interruption in your playback caused by sudden strong vibrations. Look for them if you like to throw dance parties or if you live near a fault line.
How much you can expect to spend on a home audio CD player
Anything under $100 is considered a low budget player, with some costing as little as $20. The average player costs between $150 and $500. The best players usually start around $500 and can easily cost upwards of $1000.
Home Audio CD Player FAQ
Do I need a speaker to use a home audio CD player?
A. You could, depending on the CD player you get. The more expensive the CD player, the more speaker you will need. This is because the built-in speakers cause strong vibrations in the CD player, which adversely affects the sound quality. Low-cost players almost always have a built-in speaker to be the best deal possible.
Do I need an amplifier with my home audio CD player?
A. Not necessarily. An amplifier does what its name suggests and amplifies the signal – it does not improve its quality. You only need it if the signal destination – say a set of speakers – isn’t getting a strong enough signal from your CD player to play your music.
What is the best home audio CD player to buy?
Best Home Audio CD Player
Yamaha CD-S1000BL Natural Sound Super Audio CD Player
What do you want to know: It’s hard to find a more premium player than this.
What you will love: It can play standard and super audio CDs and uses a differential digital-to-analog converter for precision and high dynamic range. The platter uses Yamaha’s Silent Loader system to eliminate all sound and increase durability. Its feet are adjustable in height and made of solid steel to dampen vibrations.
What you should consider: A few consumers didn’t like the small screen. Others have reported that it runs hot, especially if used for long periods of time. It contains only one CD.
Or buy: Sold by Amazon
Best home audio CD player for the money
Denon DCD-600NE Compact CD Player
What do you want to know: You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to have high quality sound.
What you will love: It can play CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and Windows media files and uses isolators and shock absorbers to avoid vibration and interference as much as possible. It uses a special processing system that can restore some of the information lost during digital recording.
What you should consider: It works best when paired with the Denon audio amplifier. There is no headphone jack and the remote cannot eject the CD.
Or buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What do you want to know: It’s perfect for those who stream first but have a handful of CDs.
What you will love: You can connect any Bluetooth enabled device or use the 3.5mm aux cable jack or USB port to use its speaker for your digital music collection. It can also pick up FM radio signals. It can read CD and CD-R/RW formats.
What you should consider: A few buyers have had problems with the drive turning on. Others had issues with the remote not being able to be read.
Or buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woikawritten for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their buying decisions, saving them time and money.
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