Yamaha CD-S303 Review (CD Player)

[Kremmen]

The appearance is at least backwards compatible with older Yamaha kit.

£400 in the UK, I thought it might be half that price from looking at the spec and overall build quality.

Agreed.

I'd have never assumed that this would be anywhere near £400 new. My Marantz CD5005 in my secondary system was approximately £170 new from Richer Sounds back in March 2018 and an extra £15 or so secured a 6-year warranty on it. With the default digital processing turned off (used for speed control), it sounds fabulous and has been a champ. It looks so much better than this Yamaha too but that's a matter of taste of course!

 

[NTTY]

Agreed.

I'd have never assumed that this would be anywhere near £400 new.

It’s 30% cheaper where I live (VAT included). So, we see significant variances between countries which will influence the perceived value for money.

 

[Ted G]

Question: You can get an old DVD player that plays CD’s at goodwill for $5. If you add an external DAC (schiit), can you tell a difference in sound between that and a more expensive unit?

 

[aagstn]

Question: You can get an old DVD player that plays CD’s at goodwill for $5. If you add an external DAC (schiit), can you tell a difference in sound between that and a more expensive unit?

No. As long as the player you get plays CDs correctly (no skipping due to worn laser or other technical issues) you can use it as a transport to a DAC and it is going to sound just like that DAC. Charity shops typically have a good selection of Panasonic and Sony DVD and Blu-ray players for a few bucks that would make a great transport.

 

[NTTY]

Some comparisons with "Pure Direct" ON or OFF.

• 999.91Hz @0dBFS (same):

• Overlay of Multitone (same):

• The 3DC (same mess):

• Overlay of Jitter-Test (same):

All these and many others were the same. I guess that if deactivating the display and digital out has an effect, then it is buried in the noise floor.

 

[NTTY]

No. As long as the player you get plays CDs correctly (no skipping due to worn laser or other technical issues) you can use it as a transport to a DAC and it is going to sound just like that DAC. Charity shops typically have a good selection of Panasonic and Sony DVD and Blu-ray players for a few bucks that would make a great transport.

Correct, but note that some of them have a modified digital output. All DVD and Blu-ray players, with an HDMI output, have to satisfy a regulation to output CD audio format maximum (that means 16bits/44.1kHz or 48kHz) via their SPDIF outputs, to prevent piracy of high resolution audio stream.
Some brands go the easy way of processing all digital audio via an ASRC even when the source is an audio CD. These ASRC, using an interpolator (again even if it’s to perform a 1:1 conversion), might add distortion and noise to the digital stream.

 

[testp]

Can you please let me know more about these measured improvements? Maybe I can look at the same? I don’t recall exactly what I checked but I could document with/without pure direct from couple of measurements.

oh no, i meant you said cd pure-direct has no effect. i rememer from amir videos yamaha amp pure-direct had some effect, but that is a different product.

overall its good to know, if a cd pure-direct has to be on or not, that was good to know, thx!

 

[Scytales]

Can you please let me know more about these measured improvements? Maybe I can look at the same? I don’t recall exactly what I checked but I could document with/without pure direct from couple of measurements.

I think testp referred to the tone control defeat function on many integrated amplifiers more than the deactivation of the display or other circuitry on a disc player of any kind. I think it is very well known than some lesser designed tone control circuits deviate from flat frequency response around the corner frequency even with their controls set at "0" and might introduce some noise also. All things that are pretty well measurable.

As far as disc player are concerned, if anything, the ability to turn a display off can save some lifetime for said display.

 

[NTTY]

Oh, ok, tones defeat. I'd never have thought about that because I was thinking about a power amplifier. So I was suspecting a vu-meter display or something, but I was not thinking integrated amplifier

Completely off-topic, but that reminds me of the fun and pleasure I had with a good old Yamaha C6 preamplifier and its parametric analog EQ:

That’s the kind of device that gives me a thrill

 

[Racer82]

Long time follower, first time posting. Great website and excellent reviews. I have the CD-S303 CD player and always thought it sounded good but not great. I was comparing the sound quality to my Fluance RT85 and my Schitt Mani (1st addition). I have upgraded my TT to Pro-Ject X8 with a Hana EL and Pro- Ject Phono stage. And the new TT sounds amazing. I have now realized how poor the sound quality is of the Yamaha CD-S303. I was thinking of getting a DAC. I would like to connect the CD-S303 to a DAC but also have the ability to stream music via Amazon Music., XM and others. I was considering the Topping DX5 II, Fosi Audio XD3 or the SMSL RAW-MDA 1. But now I have read and watched reviews regarding the Schitt Mimir on WaveTheory and the reviews for the WiiM Ultra streamer by HiFi Huff. I am having a very hard time deciding on what to get. I have a max budget of $350.00. I am leaning towards Wiim Ultra or the Topping DX5 II but concerned about the audio quality of both. Any advice would be greatly apricated. TIA.

 

[NTTY]

As this review of the Yamaha has generated a lot of views and because some of you have mentioned the Denon DCD-900NE, I refreshed its review with my latest measurements, so you can directly compare with the Yamaha.

 

[NTTY]

Long time follower, first time posting. Great website and excellent reviews. I have the CD-S303 CD player and always thought it sounded good but not great. I was comparing the sound quality to my Fluance RT85 and my Schitt Mani (1st addition). I have upgraded my TT to Pro-Ject X8 with a Hana EL and Pro- Ject Phono stage. And the new TT sounds amazing. I have now realized how poor the sound quality is of the Yamaha CD-S303. I was thinking of getting a DAC. I would like to connect the CD-S303 to a DAC but also have the ability to stream music via Amazon Music., XM and others. I was considering the Topping DX5 II, Fosi Audio XD3 or the SMSL RAW-MDA 1. But now I have read and watched reviews regarding the Schitt Mimir on WaveTheory and the reviews for the WiiM Ultra streamer by HiFi Huff. I am having a very hard time deciding on what to get. I have a max budget of $350.00. I am leaning towards Wiim Ultra or the Topping DX5 II but concerned about the audio quality of both. Any advice would be greatly apricated. TIA.

Even if some measurements are not as good as others, this Yamaha sounds well because these little flaws will be easily hidden into music.
The main difference, really, is the output level, which is more than 1dB lower than many others and most dedicated modern DACs. So, without adjusting the level accordingly, it is very likely that the Yamaha will sound dull because its output is of lower level.
I don’t know all the DACs you mentioned, but if they have a good review here, you’re safe with any of them. So, you can focus on their features of your interests.

 

[aagstn]

As this review of the Yamaha has generated a lot of views and because some of you have mentioned the Denon DCD-900NE, I refreshed its review with my latest measurements, so you can directly compare with the Yamaha.

I love these reviews of CD players classic and new. Hope for more.

 

[DazST]

Thanks for the review, very interesting. In Australia the Yamaha is $520 while the Denon DCD-900NE is $1100 and the Marantz Cd6007 is $900-1000. The Yamaha is half the cost of those other units and about the cheapest cd player from the classic brands you can get here. I've owned one for about 6 months and will admit that I got it because of the (relatively) low price and aesthetics, as it matches my Yamaha amp.

I use it mainly as a transport via a wiim ultra (though sometimes direct to the amp if listening with headphones). I've been completely satisfied with its performance and sound quality. This includes playing 20-25 year old cds with lots of scratches. It has performed flawlessly.

 

[xanalog]

@NTTY, Thank you for sharing,

All measurements performed with a Cosmos E1AD (grade G)...

May I ask what a "Grade G" version of the E1DA Cosmos "ADC" is?

Both the E1DA Cosmos "ADC" and "ADCiso" primarily come in three versions (based on their measured noise performance):

Crosstalk:
"ADC" = < -140dB @ 1kHz
"ADCiso" = <-153dB @ 1kHz
The ADCiso's improved crosstalk is a direct result of the isolated USB architecture.
SNR/Dynamic Range (Mono, A-Weighted):
"ADC" = Grade A: 128-129dB(A) / Grade B: 127+/-1dB(A) / Grade C: <126dB(A)
"ADCiso" = Grade 0 >129db(A) / Grade A: 128-129dB(A) / Grade B: 126-128dB(A) / Grade C: 125-126dB(A)
The "iso" model shows a slightly tighter range for Grade B.
Max Sample Rate:
"ADC" = PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz
"ADCiso" = PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz
The ADCiso's USB bridge chip supports higher sample rates.

 

[NTTY]

Thanks for the review, very interesting. In Australia the Yamaha is $520 while the Denon DCD-900NE is $1100 and the Marantz Cd6007 is $900-1000. The Yamaha is half the cost of those other units and about the cheapest cd player from the classic brands you can get here. I've owned one for about 6 months and will admit that I got it because of the (relatively) low price and aesthetics, as it matches my Yamaha amp.

I use it mainly as a transport via a wiim ultra (though sometimes direct to the amp if listening with headphones). I've been completely satisfied with its performance and sound quality. This includes playing 20-25 year old cds with lots of scratches. It has performed flawlessly.

For the price difference, no doubts the Yamaha was the good choice!
Like I said, the small flaws of the internal DAC will remain hidden into music. And as a transport, it is perfect.
Thanks for the feedback about scratched CDs, it is good to know that 1mm is enough.

 

[NTTY]

@NTTY, Thank you for sharing,

May I ask what a "Grade G" version of the E1DA Cosmos "ADC" is?

Both the E1DA Cosmos "ADC" and "ADCiso" primarily come in three versions (based on their measured noise performance):

Oopsie, I don’t know what grade G is, sometimes my fingers go random on the keyboard
Thanks for spotting the mistake. It is an ADCiso grade 0 (with SNR>129dB(A)). I’ll update my text.

 

[lini]

oh no, i meant you said cd pure-direct has no effect. i rememer from amir videos yamaha amp pure-direct had some effect, but that is a different product. (...)

Well, depending on the particular model, the direct mode(s) may skip quite a lot of stuff. For example, in case of the somewhat older AX-596 the "Pure Direct" already skips the variable loudness, the balance control, the tone control amp (IC306) plus the bass and the treble control, the pre-out/main-in loop and a buffer stage (IC305), while the "CD Direct" additionally also skips the electronic switch for the input selection (IC302) and another amplification stage (IC307) - which one can pretty easily see in the block diagram for example over there: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/950078/Yamaha-Ax-596.html?page=7#manual

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Jcrow]

Thanks for the review, very interesting. In Australia the Yamaha is $520 while the Denon DCD-900NE is $1100 and the Marantz Cd6007 is $900-1000. The Yamaha is half the cost of those other units and about the cheapest cd player from the classic brands you can get here. I've owned one for about 6 months and will admit that I got it because of the (relatively) low price and aesthetics, as it matches my Yamaha amp.

I use it mainly as a transport via a wiim ultra (though sometimes direct to the amp if listening with headphones). I've been completely satisfied with its performance and sound quality. This includes playing 20-25 year old cds with lots of scratches. It has performed flawlessly.

I'm in Aus too and noticed it's one of the cheapest options. I was in two minds about getting this because it's gotten a lot of lukewarm reviews, but I think as a transport it's probably one of the best value options. I am tempted to get a cheap dvd player, but I like the aesthetics of the Yamaha better. How's the build quality of the unit?

 

[DazST]

I'm in Aus too and noticed it's one of the cheapest options. I was in two minds about getting this because it's gotten a lot of lukewarm reviews, but I think as a transport it's probably one of the best value options. I am tempted to get a cheap dvd player, but I like the aesthetics of the Yamaha better. How's the build quality of the unit?

The build quality is good mate; typical yamaha. I got mine new but excel hifi often have refurbished units for around $400. They're a certified yamaha reseller and I got my amp from them which has also been great. Just checked and they currently have one in silver if you're interested (these tend to go quick): https://www.excelhifi.com.au/produc...er-CD-player-Certified-Refurbished-p640774445