We did not anticipate a brand new entrant, not to mention a model new winner within the CD gamers class at this yr’s What Hello-Fi? Awards. It has been a reasonably stagnant product class in recent times, that hasn’t seen the identical type of fashionable love given to turntables (a as soon as nearly-extinct class as CD’s star rose within the ’90s) and additional fallen out of favour within the final decade because of the rise of streaming.
However Arcam, similar to it did within the stereo amplifiers class, has crashed the two-horse race between Marantz and Cyrus that is been the norm for the reason that 2016 Awards. What’s extra, all three 2023 winners ship a clear-cut step up in efficiency as you go up the worth vary.
The brand new Arcam CD5 gained us over virtually instantly: we just like the sensible, minimalist design, the straightforward however responsive controls and clean disc tray mechanism that made listening to CDs faster than pairing a tool to Bluetooth, and the £699 / $699 pricing meant it slotted oh-so-neatly in between the funds Marantz and premium Cyrus gamers.
However we did not give Arcam the “Greatest CD participant £500-£1000” Award only for filling a worth hole out there, we did so as a result of the CD5 is “severely good, severely succesful and severely enjoyable”. It is a tremendously succesful CD participant that packs in ample muscle and punch, has a fluid, dynamic and composed presentation, and can be well-balanced and splendidly expressive with voices. We stated in our evaluation: “The CD5’s wealthy and likeable presentation delivers the essence of a track in essentially the most entertaining manner, whereas additionally guaranteeing it hits all the fitting hi-fi notes alongside the best way.”
Arcam is not the one headline-grabbing story right here. The Cyrus CDi has the excellence of successful a What Hello-Fi? Award in the exact same class (finest CD participant over £1000) for ten years in a row now. It received its first Award and Product of the Yr wins in 2014, and hasn’t regarded again since.
We would be impressed sufficient if the product itself was having fun with a decade-long lifespan, however the Cyrus CDi’s stronghold within the premium CD participant class is a testomony to simply how gifted it’s, even with competitors from inside (we nonetheless desire it over the newer Cyrus CDi-XR) and different high-end disc-spinners. It is value noting that whereas we initially reviewed the CDi at £995 over a decade in the past, that worth has risen to £1195 in recent times to £1595 now – not an inconsiderable sum, however such is the state of the rising prices of hi-fi lately. You may should fork out one other grand or so for the TEAC VRDS-701 (£2499), which is the subsequent real step up in efficiency from the Cyrus.
There merely hasn’t been any CD participant at this worth to problem its supreme musicality, its unerring precision and its terrific sense of management that makes each album performed via it simply sound… proper. Even in spite of everything these years, we nonetheless use the half-width Cyrus CDi as a part of our reference system within the What Hello-Fi? listening rooms – it is simply that good.
Our evaluation within the unique evaluation nonetheless stands immediately: “the rhythmic expertise here’s what actually raises our eyebrows. Tempo and momentum are exercised with articulation and vibrancy. We discovered ourselves entertained by the Cyrus’ dynamic agility and impartial steadiness in a manner that’s uncommon at this worth. Although quick and fluid, the sound is far weightier than any of the corporate’s earlier fashions.”
On the different finish of the size, you’ve gotten the funds king in Marantz. There have been extra merchandise launched on the high-end worth level for CD gamers than on the funds finish (as demand is fewer and much between), and Marantz, to its credit score, has managed to maintain the worth of its CD participant nicely beneath the £399 / $499 mark.
Numerous incarnations of this Marantz CD participant have gained within the final decade (notably, the CD6006 UK Version took the Product of the Yr crown from Cyrus CDi in 2017), and this present CD6007 mannequin has gained the “finest CD participant beneath £500” trophy since 2020. This mannequin launched numerous sonic updates from the earlier technology (a brand new DAC chip, improved and quieter energy provide, new elements), in addition to hi-res audio assist as much as 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD128. Construct high quality stays wonderful, with the CD6007’s polished design feeling and looking out way more luxurious than you’d anticipate at this funds worth. It is a comparable story with the sound high quality, with the CD6007 delivering crisp, insightful element, a targeted, open soundstage and larger scale and punchier dynamics – it is a mature presentation that we really feel is way past its inexpensive price ticket (at present hovering at £339 within the UK – a steal!).
The CD participant class now having three winners displays a greater unfold of selection for purchasers that also have and cherish their CD assortment, with Marantz, Arcam and Cyrus all providing wonderful efficiency at every worth level. Will Marantz maintain on to its Product of the Yr trophy for yet one more yr or will the newcomer Arcam upset the steadiness? Discover out all of the 2023 Product of the Yr winners (and the particular class winners) on whathifi.com on fifteenth November night (GMT).
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