Simplicity and reliability... why CD players are making a comeback
UK CD sales peaked in 2001, when we bought 225.9 million discs worth £2.2 billion. Convenient, affordable and genuinely excellent in quality, the compact disc was, and remains, a format valued by listeners who want simplicity and reliability. These days, sales top out at 10.5 million, but there is renewed interest.
This could be to do with the fact many people, me included, are starting to experience ‘streaming fatigue’, where access to all the music ever recorded at the swipe of a finger isn’t necessarily as fulfilling as we had imagined. New and second-hand CD sales are buoyant, vinyl remains strong, and it’s clear that listeners are turning back to ownership and physical media. The good news is that the audio industry has noticed, and there is a growing wave of low- and mid-priced systems that bring discs back into the home. Many of these new models combine a CD player with streaming and radio in a neat, all-in-one unit.
Almost all-in-one CD players... just add speakers
CD players never disappeared from hi-fi circles, and long-standing brands such as Marantz, Cyrus and Cambridge have continued to produce excellent dedicated players. But if you want to reintroduce CDs without building a full hi-fi stack, there are superb modern options.
In the almost all-in-one category, where you simply add a pair of bookshelf speakers, the Denon RCD-M41DAB (£269; denon.com) remains one of the best traditional choices. It offers CD playback, DAB radio and a warm, confident sound. It is an older model, but its reliability and performance have helped it to stay popular.
If your budget stretches further, the Technics SA-C600 (£600; technics.com) is a refined just-add-speaker system that combines a CD drive, network streaming, a phono stage for vinyl and 120 watt amplification. It feels modern without being complicated and has enough power for most compact speakers. For something with classic styling, the Leak Stereo 130 (£1,339; leak-hifi.co.uk) is a beautiful, retro-inspired two box pairing of a CD transport and stereo amplifier. It brings together contemporary engineering and nostalgic design in a very appealing way.
All-in-one CD players, with streaming and radio... AND built-in speakers
If you prefer a single-box solution with built-in speakers, there is now a strong selection of all-in-one CD systems that include DAB/FM radio, Bluetooth, colour screens and app support for services such as Spotify and Tidal Connect. The Ruark RS3 (£649; ruarkaudio.com) stands out with its elegant design, high-quality audio components, Wi-Fi streaming, Bluetooth and fully featured CD mechanism.
A final surprise is the arrival of turntable and CD combinations. Philips with the Fidelio FT1 (£269; philips.co.uk) and Mixx with the Revival 85 (£TBC; mixx-audio.com) have created hybrids that bring vinyl and CDs together in one unit. I can hear the traditionalists at the back groan, but I look forward to testing them in the coming months.
Modern CD players... Things to consider
Which CD formats matter? Most buyers only need support for standard CDs, but CD-R and CD-RW are helpful if you burn your own discs or have stacks of mix CDs from the 2000s. SACD (Super Audio CD) is better than CD resolution, and some classical and jazz labels still release new music in this format. You’ll need a compatible player to get the best from these multi–channel recordings. Try prestomusic.com for the latest releases.
Does the DAC inside a CD player matter? The Digital Audio Converter determines how the digital information from the disc is converted into an analogue signal for your speakers to use. Basic players use DAC chips that are perfectly fine for casual listening, while more premium units – look for ESS Sabre, Burr Brown, for instance – produce lower noise, clearer separation between instruments and a smoother, more natural tone.
I’ve got an old CD player in the loft, will that be OK? Give it a try! Assuming the laser and drawer mechanism isn’t damaged, you might be OK. It might be worth buying an optical lens cleaner disc that will gently remove dust.
CD players... We recommend...
Pure Audio Classic C-D4 £149
Spurred on by my wife’s wish to revisit her old CDs, but to ‘not get too hi-fi about it, Chris’, I needed something compact and engaging for her tiny home office. This little beauty ticks all the boxes, and I’m impressed by the features and price.
The walnut finish looks great (also available in Cotton White), and its dimensions (26x18x16cm) mean it fits neatly on a shelf. It only has a 15-watt mono speaker, but its output is clear and surprisingly self-assured. With a front-loading CD player, DAB+ and FM radio with presets, Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity, it has you covered for easy streaming. There is also a full remote control, large colour display, simple dial controls and useful alarm functions.
It is not the last word in sonic refinement, but it is a practical, enjoyable way to bring CDs back into your life. And if you like the look but need more power, Pure offers a coordinating 100-watt Charming HiFi Music System (£449) with stereo speakers.
Panasonic SC-DM202 £130
This black box of audio tricks from Panasonic won’t wow you with its considered, timeless design. But despite its lack of shelf appeal, you’ll be hard pushed to find a cheaper, more practical all-in-one. At 37cm wide it is easy to place on a sideboard, the controls are intuitive, and the remote control is a nice extra. And, for less than the price of most train tickets, you get a slot-loading CD player, support for CD-R/RW, Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming, USB and AUX inputs, plus DAB+/FM radio. The twin 9cm, 24-watt, stereo speakers are more than capable – although not a patch on the Quadriga (below).
Majority Quadriga £229
The images may have a similar aesthetic, but there’s a world of difference between the Panasonic (above) and this from Cambridge- based Majority. It’s £100 more expensive, but for the added investment, you get 120 watts of power from a 2.1 music system, with two four-inch drivers and a down-firing six-inch sub. It’s still not a ‘serious’ piece of hi-fi, but it’s a great-value starting point that also has a CD, DAB+/FM radio, Wi-Fi connectivity for internet radio and Spotify Connect, USB, Bluetooth and app control covering virtually every source you could need. There’s even a line-in, optical and USB for adding a turntable or TV.
