The DCD-685 is simple, reliable, honest CD player. It does everything the way i like it. It is very convenient in operation (rotating knob is good in use, the remote is handy). The sound quality can be described as a honest one, because DCD-685 does not hide anything from musik, OK there is a lot of better stuff, but in this price range this mashine is wonderful. There is no sly taming in the sound, but it is not rude too. You can use DCD-685 with quite different amplifiers and sound will remain detailed, treble airy, mids transparent , bass amazingly detailed. I have compared it with DCD700AE - for my test DCD685 is somehow better. So i simply can not give less, than 5 stars to this wonderful CD player!