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Electronics · Top 10

The 10 Best CD Players in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Marantz CD 60
Direct answer

The Marantz CD 60 ($1,100) is the best CD player, with the Denon DCD-1700NE ($1,699), which also plays SACD, at #2 and the Technics SL-G700M2 ($3,999.99) at #3. For the lowest price, the Cambridge Audio AXC35 is $449.

At a glance

#PickPriceBest for
1Marantz CD 60$1,100A pure CD player with USB file playback for a serious stereo
2Denon DCD-1700NE$1,699Playing SACDs and CDs from one drive
3Technics SL-G700M2$3,999.99One box for discs and streaming in a high-end system
4Marantz CD 50n$2,000CD playback plus HEOS streaming and a TV connection
5Yamaha CD-S303MSRP $499.95A simple CD player that also reads USB sticks
6Cambridge Audio CXC$599Feeding a DAC or a DAC-equipped amplifier
7NAD C 538$499A simple, well-specified player for an NAD or any stereo amp
8Denon DCD-900NE$599 (out of stock at Denon’s US store when checked)CD and USB playback with Denon’s AL32 processing
9Cambridge Audio AXC35$449The lowest-priced CD player here
10Pro-Ject CD Box S3Not publishedA compact slot-loading player for a small system

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Marantz CD 60
Best for SACD
Denon DCD-1700NE
Best for streaming
Marantz CD 50n
Best CD transport
Cambridge Audio CXC
Lowest price
Cambridge Audio AXC35

The ranking

1

Marantz CD 60

Marantz CD 60
Answrs VerdictThe best CD player here.
Price: $1,100Playback: CD and CD-R/RW discs; front USB plays FLAC, ALAC, AIFF (up to 192-kHz/24bit) and DSD (up to 5.6-MHz) filesCD dynamic range: 101dBWarranty: 5 Year Warranty

The Marantz CD 60 plays CD and CD-R/RW discs and reads FLAC, ALAC, AIFF (up to 192-kHz/24bit) and DSD (up to 5.6-MHz) files from its front USB port. Marantz lists a CD dynamic range of 101dB and a 5 Year Warranty, at $1,100.

Go ifA pure CD player with USB file playback for a serious stereo
Skip ifYou want streaming or SACD playback
Why #1 over #2: It costs $1,100 vs $1,699 for the Denon DCD-1700NE.
2

Denon DCD-1700NE

Denon DCD-1700NE
Answrs VerdictThe best SACD and CD player.
Price: $1,699Discs: SACD, CD, CD-R/CD-RW, plus DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RWDAC: TI Advanced Current Segment PCM1795 (192k/32bit)Dynamic range: SACD 112dB; CD 101dBWeight: 9.0kg (19.84 lbs)

The Denon DCD-1700NE plays SACD, CD, CD-R/CD-RW and DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW discs. It uses a TI PCM1795 (192k/32bit) DAC, lists 112dB dynamic range on SACD and 101dB on CD, and costs $1,699.

Go ifPlaying SACDs and CDs from one drive
Skip ifYou only play CDs and want to spend less
Why #2 over #3: It plays SACD and costs $1,699 vs $3,999.99 for the Technics SL-G700M2.
3

Technics SL-G700M2

Technics SL-G700M2
Answrs VerdictThe best all-in-one disc and streaming player.
Price: $3,999.99Discs: Super Audio CD (2 ch area only), CD, CD-R, CD-RWStreaming: Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, QobuzDAC: Dual ESS ES9026PROOutputs: Balanced x1, unbalanced x1

The Technics SL-G700M2 plays Super Audio CD (2 ch area only), CD, CD-R and CD-RW and also streams, with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL and Qobuz. It has dual ESS ES9026PRO DACs and balanced and unbalanced outputs, at $3,999.99.

Go ifOne box for discs and streaming in a high-end system
Skip ifYou only want a CD player
Why #3 over #4: It adds Wi-Fi streaming and balanced outputs; the Marantz CD 50n is $2,000 with HEOS built-in.
4

Marantz CD 50n

Marantz CD 50n
Answrs VerdictThe best CD player with HEOS streaming.
Price: $2,000Streaming: HEOS built-in, AirPlay and BluetoothHDMI: HDMI ARCDiscs: CD, CD-R/RW and DSD support

The Marantz CD 50n has HEOS built-in, AirPlay and Bluetooth, plus HDMI ARC for a TV connection, and plays CD, CD-R/RW and DSD. It costs $2,000.

Go ifCD playback plus HEOS streaming and a TV connection
Skip ifYou want a simple CD-only player
Why #4 over #5: It streams with HEOS built-in; the Yamaha CD-S303 is $499.95 with no streaming.
5

Yamaha CD-S303

Yamaha CD-S303
Answrs VerdictThe easy mid-priced CD player.
Price: MSRP $499.95DAC: 192 kHz/24-bitFiles: Front USB port plays MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC and FLAC filesFeature: Pure Direct shuts down the digital output and display

The Yamaha CD-S303 has a 192 kHz/24-bit DAC and a front USB port that plays MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC and FLAC files. Its Pure Direct mode shuts down the digital output and the display. MSRP is $499.95.

Go ifA simple CD player that also reads USB sticks
Skip ifYou want SACD or streaming
Why #5 over #6: Its front USB port plays FLAC files; the Cambridge Audio CXC at $599 has no analog output.
6

Cambridge Audio CXC

Cambridge Audio CXC
Answrs VerdictThe best CD transport here.
Price: $599Outputs: S/PDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical (no analog output)Jitter: Total correlated jitter under 140psSize: 85 x 430 x 315mm; 4.7kg

The Cambridge Audio CXC is a CD transport with S/PDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical outputs and no analog output, so it needs a DAC or DAC-equipped amplifier. It lists total correlated jitter under 140ps and costs $599.

Go ifFeeding a DAC or a DAC-equipped amplifier
Skip ifYou need a player with its own analog output
Why #6 over #7: It is a transport for an outside DAC; the NAD C 538 has its own 2.2 V analog output.
7

NAD C 538

NAD C 538
Answrs VerdictThe no-frills disc player.
Price: $499Analog output: 2.2 VSignal-to-noise: 110 dB or betterDiscs: Standard CDs and MP3/WMA discs; coaxial and optical digital outputs

The NAD C 538 plays standard CDs and MP3/WMA discs, with a 2.2 V analog output, signal-to-noise of 110 dB or better and coaxial and optical digital outputs. It costs $499.

Go ifA simple, well-specified player for an NAD or any stereo amp
Skip ifYou want USB or file playback
Why #7 over #8: It costs $499 vs $599 for the Denon DCD-900NE.
8

Denon DCD-900NE

Denon DCD-900NE
Answrs VerdictThe Denon for CD and USB.
Price: $599 (out of stock at Denon’s US store when checked)Playback: CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA discs; USB plays FLAC up to 192kHz/24bits and DSD up to 5.6 MHzDAC: ES9018K2MCD signal-to-noise: 115 dBWeight: 4.9kg

The Denon DCD-900NE plays CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA discs and, over USB, FLAC up to 192kHz/24bits and DSD up to 5.6 MHz. It uses an ES9018K2M DAC and lists 115 dB signal-to-noise on CD. Denon prices it at $599, but its US store showed it out of stock when checked.

Go ifCD and USB playback with Denon’s AL32 processing
Skip ifYou need one in stock today
Why #8 over #9: Its USB port plays FLAC and DSD files, which the Cambridge Audio AXC35 does not list.
9

Cambridge Audio AXC35

Cambridge Audio AXC35
Answrs VerdictThe budget pick.
Price: $449DAC: Wolfson Microelectronics WM8524Signal-to-noise: Over 95dB (A weighted)Features: Gapless playback; digital coaxial outputWeight: 4.3kg

The Cambridge Audio AXC35 has a Wolfson Microelectronics WM8524 DAC, over 95dB signal-to-noise, gapless playback and a digital coaxial output, at $449.

Go ifThe lowest-priced CD player here
Skip ifYou want USB playback or SACD
Why #9 over #10: It costs $449 vs $499 for the NAD C 538.
10

Pro-Ject CD Box S3

Pro-Ject CD Box S3
Answrs VerdictThe compact pick.
Price: Not publishedPlayback: Red Book CD-DA, slot-loadingDAC: PCM5102 (up to 32bit/384kHz)Outputs: One pair RCA analog and one S/PDIF coaxialSize: 206 x 55 x 153mm

The Pro-Ject CD Box S3 is a compact slot-loading player for Red Book CD-DA, with a PCM5102 DAC (up to 32bit/384kHz), one pair of RCA analog outputs and one S/PDIF coaxial output. It measures 206 x 55 x 153mm. Pro-Ject does not publish a price on its product page.

Go ifA compact slot-loading player for a small system
Skip ifYou want USB or MP3 disc playback

How we ranked these

We ranked each player on what it does with a CD collection first (disc and file support, outputs and published specs), then on each maker’s published US price, checked Oct 19, 2026. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best CD player in 2027?

The Marantz CD 60 at $1,100: it plays CD and CD-R/RW discs and reads FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and DSD files from its front USB port, with a 5 Year Warranty.

What is the cheapest CD player on this list?

The Cambridge Audio AXC35 at $449, with a Wolfson WM8524 DAC and a digital coaxial output; the NAD C 538 is $499.

Which CD player on this list also plays SACDs?

The Denon DCD-1700NE at $1,699 and the Technics SL-G700M2 at $3,999.99 both play SACD.

What is a CD transport and do I need a DAC?

The Cambridge Audio CXC ($599) is a transport with S/PDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical outputs and no analog output, so it needs a DAC or a DAC-equipped amplifier.

Listed price (USD) at a glance

Cambridge Audio AXC35$449
NAD C 538$499
Yamaha CD-S303$499.95
Cambridge Audio CXC$599
Denon DCD-900NE$599
Marantz CD 60$1,100
Denon DCD-1700NE$1,699
Marantz CD 50n$2,000
Technics SL-G700M2$3,999.99
Listed price (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.