Best CD players 2024: budget to premium options tried and tested

We've been testing and reviewing CD players at What Hi-Fi? ever since 1983, and while streaming undoubtedly has the convenience factor compared to physical media, many of us still prefer owning a physical object like CD discs – something that digital files can't replicate.

They're reliable, they won't get easily destroyed (provided you keep them in protective cases), and they're not reliant on a wi-fi connection or the whims of DRM content and licensing agreements that mean your favourite track might disappear from your streaming service without notice. 

We still derive great pleasure in putting on a CD and listening to an album in full, and the best CD players take you on a fantastic musical journey. We've tested hundreds of CD players and CD transports over the past four decades, and still find the best ones offer excellent, no-nonsense usability, sturdy build quality, seamless playback and great sound for the price point.

The list below includes both fully integrated CD players, which have a digital-to-analogue converter built in, and CD transports, which can only read the data on the disc and require an external DAC to work. There are budget to premium recommendations, and they include long-standing favourites from Marantz, Cambridge Audio and Cyrus and a new 2023 Award-winner from Arcam.

Every product on this list has been thoroughly tested by the expert team at What Hi-Fi? in our dedicated listening rooms. You can read more about our CD players test process at the bottom of the page.

The quick list

The best budget CD player

Marantz CD6007 CD player in black finish on a wooden rack against black background.

The latest iteration of Marantz's excellent CD player is the best option for first-time buyers on a budget. (Image credit: Marantz)
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. A sensational entry-level CD player.

Specifications

Type: Integrated
SACD: No
Outputs: Optical, coaxial, line level
Dimensions : 10.5 x 44 x 34 cm
Weight: 6.5kg

Reasons to buy

+
Class-leading insight
+
More dramatic presentation
+
Excellent build and finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Looks like previous models

This Marantz model has been around in various guises for a long time, and remains the best budget option at this price. 

You'll need to go back a decade and four model cycles to find a CD6000 that looks notably different, so it's the insides where Marantz has made the improvements to their CD players count. 

It has a quieter power supply and improved HDAM amplifier modules, helped along by a sprinkling of higher-quality internal components, not least of which is the change of DAC chip to an AKM 4490. That chip allows the CD6007 to process high-resolution files through USB-A on front socket, supporting PCM music up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128.

What does all that mean? It makes your music sound great. It's full of rhythm and drive. It's precise, clean and delivers for dynamics at every inch of the spectrum. Stereo imaging is focused and expansive, and there are even a few digital filters to tweak the sound to your tastes.

Owners of the previous CD6006 UK Edition needn't rush to change their player but the multi-Award-winning CD6007 is most definitely the right choice for first-time buyers at this end of the market. 

Read the full Marantz CD6007 review

The best mid-range CD player

Arcam CD5 CD player placed on a wooden shelf with CDs stacked below.

This mid-range entry from Arcam plays CDs with clarity and excellent precision. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. An impressive player with a capable, fun approach.

Specifications

Type: Integrated
SACD: No
Outputs: Optical, coaxial, line level
Dimensions: 43.1 x 34.4 x 8.3cm
Weight: 6kg

Reasons to buy

+
Engaging, punchy, muscular sound
+
Dynamically expressive
+
Great build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Sub-menus could be easier to access

The vinyl revival in recent years has meant that turntables have seen quite a resurgence. CD players haven't enjoyed the same level of comeback, however, the Arcam CD5 has come along as a great mid-range entry and does one thing well – playing CDs with finesse.

If you're looking for a greater level of clarity and refinement than what this excellent player offers, then you’ll have to spend more than double the money on the likes of the top-notch Cyrus CDi – a multiple Award-winner that now costs around £1500-£1600.

There hasn’t been a seriously good, seriously capable, and seriously fun CD player of this level in a very long time. The newly crowned Arcam CD5 changes things. It's a tremendously talented player that deserves an audition if you’re still holding on to your beloved CDs and want to give them a new lease of life.

Read the full Arcam CD5 review

The best premium CD player

Cyrus CDi CD player with display turned on against a hazy background

For those with a higher budget, this multiple award-winning Cyrus CDi is an outstanding CD player. (Image credit: Cyrus Audio)
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. The long-running CDi still delivers an outstanding sonic performance at this step-up price.

Specifications

Type: Integrated
SACD: No
Outputs: Optical, coaxial, 2x line level
Dimensions: 8.5 x 22 x 39cm
Weight: 5.72kg

Reasons to buy

+
Dynamic expression
+
Rhythmic ability
+
Entertaining listen

Reasons to avoid

-
Dated display
-
Noisy loading disc

Cyrus hasn’t put a foot wrong with its CD players for as long as we can remember; it would be fair to say that its track record has been phenomenal. So it’s no surprise that the Cyrus CDi is another gleaming example of the company treading the right path. This model has now won the What Hi-Fi? Award for best CD player over £1000 ten years in a row – that alone is a testament to just how talented and reliable this player is.

The long, narrow aluminium chassis isn’t exactly a bolt from the blue, but underneath lies one of the best-sounding CD players we've heard at the money. We like the fuss-free design, easy-to-read display and high-quality remote (earlier SE models came with a rather plasticky affair). The slot-loader is a touch noisy when feeding it a disc, though as silent as you’d hope it would be during playback.

As for the calibre of sound, it's truly impressive for the money, offering buckets of detail and rhythmic precision. Pace and momentum is exercised with articulation and vibrancy. You'd have to spend significantly more to hear anything better.

Read the full Cyrus CDi review

The best CD streaming system

Technics SA-C600 on a white background

A supremely talented CD-and-streaming all-in-one player. (Image credit: Future)
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. A truly compact just-add-speakers streaming system that shines with CDs, too.

Specifications

Type: Integrated
SACD: No
Outputs: 3.5mm headphone, subwoofer
Dimensions (hwd): 9.4 x 34 x 34cm
Weight: 4.8kg

Reasons to buy

+
Entertaining sound
+
Expressive and punchy dynamics
+
Well equipped
+
Good MM phono stage

Reasons to avoid

-
Setting up without the app is a bit clumsy
-
Line-level input could sound better

The Technics SA-C600 is an elegant all-in-one system with extensive streaming and connectivity (even an MM phono stage) that you just have to add speakers to – and it also has a talented CD player.

We like the tactility of the swivelling transparent CD cover on the top; it’s made of toughened acrylic and feels good to use. The SA-C600 proves an admirably consistent performer across the board, producing musically compelling results with CDs as well as high-res files across our network. 

It’s an expressive and punchy performer that builds its performance around a solid framework of surefooted rhythmic drive and expressive dynamics. Detail levels are good, but it is the confident way this unit organises that information into a cohesive and musical whole that really impresses.

If all you're after is a CD player, then you might want to choose something more dedicated in this list that puts all its eggs in that audio basket. But if versatility is required and you want to stream your music services over wi-fi as well as spin discs - and why not - then this Technics is worth your attention.

Those who already own an amplifier and have more to spend should consider the Technics SL-G7000M2 as well. 

Read the full Technics SA-C600 review

The best budget CD transport

Cambridge Audio CXC CD transport with a red CD disc in tray and remote on top of unit.

If you're looking for an affordable way to play CDs in your system and already have a DAC, try this fuss-free CD transport.
If you already own a DAC, you can buy this entry-level CD transport instead of a standalone player. Trust us, its sound will impress.

Specifications

Type: Transport
SACD: No
Outputs: Optical, coaxial
Dimensions: 8.5 x 43 x 31.5cm
Weight: 4.7kg

Reasons to buy

+
Musicality and muscle
+
Well-built
+
Good remote control

Reasons to avoid

-
It requires an external DAC
-
Getting older now
-
Minimal for some

The Cambridge Audio CXC transport is an affordable way to listen to your CDs with precision quality that takes full advantage of an external digital-to-analogue converter. Yup, you'll need your own DAC, but that's why you get this attractive CD transport, which simply reads the data using its single-speed transport and S3 Servo, for under £500. 

Using this separate bit of kit to do one specific job makes for better sound quality. There’s a real musicality here that can get lost on lesser players, with organic, fluid interplay between instruments. Although the CXC is restricted to doing one thing – it only reads CDs, not SACDs or MP3 CDs – it does that one thing very well.

It's a nicely made bit of kit too, with a machined metal chassis that feels solid and a design than matches the rest of Cambridge's impressive CX range.

If you already own an external DAC we wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Cambridge CXC over a standalone CD player. You’d have to spend a good deal more than £300 to match the sound quality it offers.

Read the full Cambridge Audio CXC review

The best premium CD transport

Cyrus CD t CD transport in black finish with remote on top of unit.

Cyrus is no stranger to CD players, and it also makes a terrific CD transport that delivers "near-faultless" sound quality.
This Cyrus CD transport delivers tremendous bang for your buck if you have a higher budget.

Specifications

Type: Transport
SACD: No
Outputs: Optical, coaxial
Dimensions (hwd): 7.3 x 21.5 x 36cm
Weight: 4.7kg

Reasons to buy

+
Superb, near-faultless performance
+
Exquisite detail, rhythm and precision
+
Backlit remote

Reasons to avoid

-
Old-fashioned design and display
-
Requires external DAC

The Cyrus CD t is one of the best CD transports you can get, regardless of price. It's a CD transport, rather than a CD player, meaning it will simply read the data on the disc. You'll need a standalone DAC to handle all the digital-to-analogue conversion.

Cyrus's Servo Evolution disc-reading software, plucked from its £1750 CD xt Signature, combined with enhanced internal circuitry, creates a performance that's difficult to criticise. Sound is nuanced and subtly dynamic while offering deep bass with varied textures and precision throughout. 

The die-cast aluminium chassis design is solid and the backlit remote offers a great way to enjoy everything from a comfy chair. Connectivity is best described as 'minimal', with two digital outputs – optical and coaxial – and the standard MC-BUS control connections. 

Provided you own, or are willing to invest in, a good DAC, the CD t is an exceptionally talented transport for the money. Clarity and insight are unrivalled at this price.

Read the full Cyrus CD t review

How to choose the best CD player for you

What should you consider before purchasing a CD player? It's worth taking into account factors like DAC functionality, ease of use, controls and of course audio performance when making your choice. 

More premium players will have better DAC chips and internal components, fewer errors and also support different optical disc formats (SACD alongside standard CD, CD-R, CD-RW, for instance). Some CD players even pack in wireless and streaming tech to turn your CD player into an all-in-one media system, and include a USB port so you can play 24-bit high-resolution files. It's up to you whether you want the extra features (which can be more expensive) or stick with a solid disc-spinner that will do the job well.

The other thing to consider is if you need an integrated CD player (one with a DAC built-in) or a CD transport (no DAC inside). Transports such as the Cambridge Audio CXC will need to use either a standalone DAC or the one in your stereo amplifier to handle the digital-to-analogue conversion before the sound reaches your speakers. The upshot of a CD transport? It puts all its concentration and skills on reading the CD disc. The downside is you'll need to make sure you buy or already have an appropriately skilled DAC to connect it to.

Alternatively you can simply pick the player that's most closely aligned with your budget, system and preferred functionality. Do you prefer slot-loading or a disc tray? Does it have a display that can be read easily at a distance? Do you need Bluetooth, or do you have a large collection of SACDs that needs some love? Remember to set your budget according to the demands of the rest of your system.

How we test CD players

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Reading, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door – including CD players.

What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, so we listen to every CD player we review against the current leader in its field to gauge how it compares to the best-in-class competition. We keep long-standing What Hi-Fi? Award winners in our stockrooms so we can always compare new products against ones we know and love at their relative price point, and we do our best to review as many new models in as many markets as possible to ensure our contextual knowledge is the best it can be.

We are always impartial in our testing and ensure we hear every CD player at its optimum – connected to the appropriate kit and placed on a sturdy and level surface. We'll use them in their best use case with different partnering amplifiers and speakers, as well as play plenty of discs in different genres of music through them. Naturally, we give them plenty of listening time (and time to run in) too.

All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.

You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.

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Kashfia Kabir
Hi-Fi and Audio Editor

Kashfia is the Hi-Fi and Audio Editor of What Hi-Fi? and first joined the brand over 10 years ago. During her time in the consumer tech industry, she has reviewed hundreds of products (including speakers, amplifiers and headphones), been to countless trade shows across the world and fallen in love with hi-fi kit much bigger than her. In her spare time, Kash can be found tending to an ever-growing houseplant collection and hanging out with her cat Jolene.

With contributions from
  • MrMeaning
    What about portables? (Or are they considered beyond the pale?)
    Reply
  • Dan Sung
    Beyond pale in the face of PMPs loaded up with lossless music files. Both the size of the discman and the need for carrying around CDs is just too impractical. Besides, some of these players sound brilliant - https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/portable/best-portable-music-players
    Reply
  • Sclafonz
    I paid $600 for a Marantz CD player and after 9 years it stopped reading CDs. The USB input still works great. I didn't expect the CD player to last forever, but at least 10 years. I didn't abuse it either. Once it was set up it never moved. It really wasn't used that often. A few times a week. I tried cleaning the laser, but no luck. Based on this experience I wouldn't buy a Marantz CD player. Perhaps it was just my unit and not a design flaw, but I wouldn't take the chance.
    Reply
  • sprachnroll
    Sclafonz said:
    I paid $600 for a Marantz CD player and after 9 years it stopped reading CDs. The USB input still works great. I didn't expect the CD player to last forever, but at least 10 years. I didn't abuse it either. Once it was set up it never moved. It really wasn't used that often. A few times a week. I tried cleaning the laser, but no luck. Based on this experience I wouldn't buy a Marantz CD player. Perhaps it was just my unit and not a design flaw, but I wouldn't take the chance.
    Same thing happened to me and I think I paid far more for my Marantz CD player. Still love CDs and SACDs and have never gotten into streaming, though my receiver is supposedly capable of it.
    Reply
  • DELBOY14
    Sclafonz said:
    I paid $600 for a Marantz CD player and after 9 years it stopped reading CDs. The USB input still works great. I didn't expect the CD player to last forever, but at least 10 years. I didn't abuse it either. Once it was set up it never moved. It really wasn't used that often. A few times a week. I tried cleaning the laser, but no luck. Based on this experience I wouldn't buy a Marantz CD player. Perhaps it was just my unit and not a design flaw, but I wouldn't take the chance.
    I have had a Marantz CD63 Ki for around 25 years, two years ago I put a new sled and laser in it and lubed the sled with dry PTFE, made an improvement and I am now using it with an Audiolab MDAC plus. Very pleased. Like all electrical components, some last some don't and it could all be down to the house wiring, the socket or plug or how stable your supply is.
    Reply
  • Peter Bailey
    I've eliminated the ones beyond my budget, and I've selected the ones with the features I need. I'd be interested in your preferences. Is the best at the top, or is the list somehow weighted according to purchase price? If it is how do I remove the weighting? I'd hope the best was No. 1, so the reader can work down the list based on budget.
    Reply
  • mbinz
    Any reason Audiolab doesn't feature? the older 8200CD was hailed as a top pick when it came out, performing way above it's price point... Have the latest Audiolab offerings gone down in performance compared to other manufacturers latest advances?
    Reply