CD player buying guide
How to choose the right compact disc player for your home system
If you’re reading this, you know the truth: CDs are still an excellent music format. I love my phone’s music capabilities as much as the next guy. But I’ve got hundreds of CDs, and I’m not getting rid of them.

So how do you get the best sound out of CDs? You start with a high-quality CD player. This guide will show you what to look for when shopping, and what sets them apart from just using a cheap Blu-ray player to spin your discs.
What is a CD player?
It may sound like a question with an obvious answer. But a CD player is actually comprised of two main parts:
- Transport – This is the mechanism that holds, spins, and reads the disc.
- Digital-to-analog converter – The DAC converts the disc’s digital data to an analog audio signal.
Usually these components are housed in a single chassis — that’s what we mean when we use the term “CD player.” But they can be separate components in a high-end system. So if you buy a CD transport you’ll need a separate DAC to handle the digital decoding.
You could connect the transport digitally to a receiver or amp with a built-in DAC. But most folks prefer to buy a separate high-performance DAC. Read our DAC buying guide to learn more about these devices.
CD-only vs. universal players
All Blu-ray and DVD players can also play CDs. But CD players are designed purely for audio playback. No video processing means every part is designed for high-quality sound. Blu-ray players, which must be connected to a TV, aren’t a good fit for a music-only system.

If you're looking for an all-in-one player for CDs and Blu-rays discs, we highly recommend the Oppo UDP-205.
If you’re building a system for high-performance audio and video, there are some universal players that excel at both. Oppo’s players are hugely popular with our customers and audiophiles everywhere. There are other good options from established audio brands like Cambridge Audio, Yamaha, and Marantz.
What about other audio formats?
If you’ve got CD-Rs or CD-RWs that you’ve burned, make sure you get a player that can handle them. Most CD players have no trouble with these formats.
If you own any SACDs, be sure to find a player that has the ability to decode the high-resolution audio layer. Most SACDs will play in any CD player, but you’ll need a compatible player to unlock the best sound quality. Some universal players offer SACD compatibility, including the Oppo above, as well as most Sony players.
What makes one CD player sound better than another?
The digital-to-analog converter (DAC)
Any device that can play digital music files — from CDs to MP3s — has a digital-to-analog converter inside. It converts those encoded 1s and 0s into an analog audio signal that can be played through speakers.
Not all DACs are created equal. The DAC found in your smartphone is going to be inferior to the DAC found in a $1,000 audio component.
High-quality CD players have high-quality DACs. This results in sound that is lush, detailed, and smooth –— especially compared to the harsh sound of low-grade DACs in phones and laptops. Some players even have separate DACs for the left and right channels, for greater accuracy.
Whenever the manufacturer includes the brand and model of DAC, we include in our product write-ups. Some high-quality DAC brands to look for are Burr-Brown, SABRE, and Cirrus Logic.
Build quality
This is an important factor in the sound of any audio component. High-quality CD players are solidly built, with rigid transports to hold and spin the discs. They also have a reinforced chassis with large feet for support. This rugged construction helps prevent vibrations that can distort the audio signal. Some players have large toroidal power supplies to deliver plenty of clean current for high-performance sound.
What about connections
A typical CD player will have a simple pair of analog RCA outputs for connection to a receiver or amp. But some players add more connections. Shop for high-quality RCA cables.
XLR outputs
Some high-end players offer balanced XLR outputs for connection to a compatible amplifier or preamp. These connections transmit extremely low-noise signals, so more of your music’s details shine through. Shop for XLR cables.
Digital inputs
Players with digital inputs allow you to use the player’s high-quality DAC with other audio gear. For instance, a player with a USB (type B) input allows you to connect a computer and run the sound out of the CD player. This setup will produce far better sound quality than simply plugging in your computer to your receiver via the headphone jack.
Connect an iPod or thumb drive
Some players also have front-panel USB ports for playing digital music files from iPods® or USB storage devices.
Are CD changers still a thing?
They sure are! If you want to load five or six discs for hours of uninterrupted music, check out our selection of multi-disc changers.
Want to rip your CDs?
Want to convert your CDs to digital files? A CD ripper can rip and store your CDs on a built in server. Then you can play them back on other devices like a computer, MP3 player, or wireless speaker.

Rip and store your CDs music files with the Bluesound Vault 2.
We offer a couple of high-quality devices that can rip, store, and play files from CDs. Check out the Bluesound Vault and the NAD Masters Series M50.2.
CD recorders
Want to make digital copies of your record collection? Or burn discs from your home studio recordings? Check out these Tascam CD recorders.
We can help you choose
Have questions about how to choose the right CD player? Call one of our expert Advisors at 1-888-955-6000. They knew the gear inside and out. Don't forget: Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.
Best Sellers in CD Players
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Carlos from COLOMBIA
Posted on 5/22/2015What is the model showed in Chassis chapter?
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Roy from los angeles
Posted on 5/23/2015I am looking for a cd player that I can also use as a dac for the two music servers I have. It would need coax and optical inputs to plug in the music servers.
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Lynn from Milwaukee, wI
Posted on 7/13/2015I am looking for a new CD player to hook up with my McIntosh 1700, what would you recommend
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Nicoleen Hartman from Sevenoaks , Kent, UK
Posted on 7/26/2015Hi there I am looking for advice please. Can you recommend a CD player i can use with my 12 channel sound mixer? I am looking for CD player with headphone sockets or rca connectors? Thankyou
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Leonard Haddox from Longmont co
Posted on 8/6/2015Need a CD player I can use to learn songs on. Would need a back up feature. Something portable perhaps
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Fred from worcester
Posted on 8/9/2015Is it an option to buyer a cheaper CD player (say the Sony CDP-CE500) and run it through an independent DAC into a receiver?
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Duane Knudson from Raleigh, NC
Posted on 9/9/2015I am obviously a casual listener. I simply want to know what I need, for example if I buy a Sony CDP-CE500 multi CD changer/player, to make sound come out of my existing 8 ohm/60 watt Optimus speakers? I should have also specified how cheaply can I do this? Thanks.
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Don Asch from New York
Posted on 10/14/2015I have a Macintosh MA6300 amp and B&W 804S speakers. What's the right price point for a CD player to match up with these components and what would you recommend?
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Paul Althaus from Verona, VA
Posted on 11/6/2015A number of critics of the Cambridge Audio Topaz CD10 player have complained of the 5ms pause the player inserts between tracks. Would these gaps be audible for one who listens to classical music where the tracks often should be played seamlessly?
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peter from Weston
Posted on 11/30/2015I just spoke to Maverick about buying a new integrated amplifier, he recommended one with DAC. if I buy the one recommended, does that render the CD players built in DAC useless, what does the playback default to?
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Wing Thye Loh from Singapore
Posted on 12/26/2015I have a ONKYO TX-SR606 receiver and a pair of Klipsch 8ohms 100 watts speakers. Currently I play music using a low end Blue ray player. I intend to get a CD player. Would you recommend one that is able to match the AV receiver and speakers. Thanks
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Henry from Atwater
Posted on 1/2/2016I see from one of your responses above that you have the Oppo 105. I'm considering the Oppo 103 or possibly the Cambridge Azur 752BD given the recent price drop. None of the manuals mention the ability to program tracks for playback; do you know if any of these have that capability? I primarily listen to CD's but have HDCD's and a growing collection of SACD's, and DVD and Bluray audio discs, so playback of these is a must. Thank you.
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Bill from Chicago
Posted on 1/18/2016Hi Dave, What's the most affordable 24 bit DAC 192khz option that supports .wav cd-r's? Best, Bill
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Erin
Posted on 2/13/2016Hi I'm trying to find a multidisc cd player that can just be hooked up to speakers and doesn't require anything else to work. Is there one? thanks.
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Jo-ann menchetti from Chupadero, New Mexic
Posted on 3/3/2016yes, my husband is a avid music man, but we are both techno-peasants and still enjoy the tactile pleasure of the CD. What would you recommend for a CD player, mother ship (tuner I guess), and wireless speakers? We will be in the high desert of Northern New Mexico, where there is service, but spotty at times, would we also need what I think is called some sort of a booster?
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Mike Sackmary from Austin, TX
Posted on 3/24/2016Hi Dave, Excellent article. I am a complete novice at choosing stereo/video components. I just know that I bought my speakers because they sound excellent. I need help selecting the right component for playing CDs. My receiver is an Integra DTR5.4 (made by Onkyo I think) and Definitive Technology BP2002 speakers. My Samsung blu-ray player gives excellent video quality to my tv, but sound is just ok. Let's not mention trying to play actual CDs on this particular player. What I want to get is something that produces excellent sound off CDs. If it can also play music off my ipod and make it sound great, that's a definite plus. If I understood your article it seems that I should get a separate CD player with DAC and toroidal transformer? (Not sure what I'm talking about here). I am not at all opposed to scrapping my curren blu-ray player either. Is it better to get a separate CD player and blu-ray player or is there one that does everything well? Sorry for the length of this question. Please help.
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John Fitzpatrick from Norwalk, CT
Posted on 5/4/2016I've long assumed the benefits of a universal player for SACD and BluRay as well as CD. My Oppo player (BDP-83), like other universal players, has a "pure audio" switch to remove video processing from the circuit. Should that not solve the interference problem you mention? In any event this player has given me an immense upgrade in audio quality as well as the benefit of multichannel SACD sound. Its flaw is the lack of a track-programming capability. More recent universal players have this feature. I'm struck by the huge price gap between standard universal players from reputable brands like Yamaha and Denon (c. $400) and hugely more expensive units with the same capabilities. Is there really a *significant* audible difference?
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Hans from Brussels
Posted on 5/12/2016Hi, Dave, I want to buy the Yamaha CD NT 670D, which is a CD-player with streaming and internet radio capabilities, and combine it with my active loudspeakers. However, the Yamaha has no volume control, as it is apparently foreseen to be linked to the Yamaha amplifier. is there any electronical devise that I could put between the Yamaha and my boxes and which would serve as a volume control (ideally with a remote)? Thanks for your reply! Hans
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Mariko Cruse from Gainesville FL
Posted on 10/11/2016I would like to know how to choose a proper speaker for a given CD player. Although Dave Bar's comments on today's CD players are very helpful, but I am not sure how to select a speaker after I get a good CD player. I am a classical music lover, and using a Bose medium size speaker with Panasonic DVD player at the moment.
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Christopher Mcmurray from CHARLESTON
Posted on 12/29/2016Can you recommend some multi CD changers that would be compatible with the Harmonkardon AVR 3700. I'm looking for quality and our willing to spend up to 500 dollars. Could you give me some recommendations. Saw the yamaha C-600 is this compatible with my AVR ? Thanks Chris
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Steinar Schrøder from Kenansville, N.C.
Posted on 7/25/2017I`d like to buy a bluetooth cd player with speed- and pitch control together with a bluetooth/wireless headset. Ane recommendations? Can I go out from the cd player straight to the headset, or do I need to go through an amplifier/receiver?
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Steinar Schrøder from Kenansville, N.C.
Posted on 7/25/2017I`d like to buy a bluetooth cd player with speed- and pitch control together with a bluetooth/wireless headset. Ane recommendations? Can I go out from the cd player straight to the headset, or do I need to go through an amplifier/receiver?
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LUCILLE M JENSEN from BEDIAS,77831
Posted on 9/22/2017I am of the old school. (93 years old, in fact) All I want is a small disc player that will only play one disc. I want to go to sleep with one of my favorite discs playing with an automatic shut off when the disc ends. I want it to be small enuf to sit on my beds night stand along with my book, lamp and telephone so the whole thing still looks good and not like a pile of junk.
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Susan Lauscher from Fort Collins
Posted on 12/28/2017I have a Bose sound bar and a universal remote. I want to play CDs through the sound bar as my speaker. Is there a CD player that doesn't have to connect to a receiver but connect wirelessly to the sound bar?
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david campbell from Chicago
Posted on 4/4/2018I am looking for a CD player that will play all my various formats. DVD audio, SACD, BlueRay Audio. With about 1500 cds i seem to have collected multiple formats. Especially, with the trend to box sets. Please help. What do you suggest?
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