Convenient features, range of connections, build quality.

on/off button on remote would be nice...

This was the first brand new item I bought in my stereo system. I run it with a Pioneer SX-838. A CD player is largely just that. The key things to look for are the DAC's, frequency response, build quality, and connection options. Yamaha is pretty respectable in their build quality for good reason, they use quality parts, and actually engineer more than just the electronics. This player has given me no problems, was reasonably priced, and has a full list of features.

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no need for other products!

good sound for the price without a lot of frills to get in the way of you enjoying your music.

could have gone for a digital coaxial out (most recievers only have the one optical in).

This is a respectable cd player. It sounds superb when routed through my philips home theater system. When I put my Travis "The Man Who" cd in I was astounded the warmth of the sound made it like listening to the cd for the first time again.

This is a $179 CD Player. Probably the best available for the price. Crisp clean sound.

This is a $179 CD Player. Shallow soundstage. Harsh one dimensional sound that quickly becomes fatiguing.

If you are considering purchasing this player and can possibly afford to spend a little more--do it! Although I genuinely believe that this is the best CD player on the market for the price ($179 msrp--$139 at Yahoo), I don't recommend it. Albums that have less than exaggerated base (such as some country albums) will play primarily in the upper and mid range and quickly begin to fray the nerves. I purchased one and played it for a week and wound up exchanging it for one of Yamaha's better players, the CDC 775. Although this upgrade cost me a little over $100 more, I consider it the best $100 I've ever spent. I simply could not believe the difference. The sound stage instantly became 3 dimensional. It was spacious, warm, and deep. If you are like me and have to live with your purchases for a long time, save your money and purchase a Yamaha or Denon that carries a msrp of at least $300. I guarantee you won't regret it. Try before you buy and you'll see what I mean.

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Yamaha Onkyo Denon

CD Text, tray comes all the way out, fast cd changing

can't turn it off from remote

I got mine for pretty cheap on ebay, even though it needed a little bit of cosmetic work, it was still way worth the 65 bucks i spent on it. It sounds great, looks great, and has great features, I especialy like the CD text thing that displays artist, track and such on some cd's, and that the tray comes out all the way so you can change all the cd's at once, unlike my newer technics one, (which is very ugly by the way), I think Yamaha is the only company that still makes good looking stereos.

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technics

I purchased the 505 at Best Buy for $140 - regularly $179 I think. I was originally going to spend more money and get a Denon 460 or a Sony CA7ES. I auditioned the Denon and it had great sound but the mechanics were horrible for a $400 cdplayer. I do like the Sony but I realized I don't need all the extras that these cdplayers come with. I am sure I will be buying another player when HDCD becomes more popular.
This unit works wonderfully for the price - the sound is great, the carousel works smoothly and quietly, and the remote is very nice. It also has the optical out.

Excellent price/quality

VERY QUIET. FAST DISC CHANGE. STURDY BUILD.

REMOTE DOES NOT CONTROL ON AND OFF

THE YAMAHA CDC-505 IS AN EXCELLENT UNIT. CHANGER IS MUCH FASTER THAN THE SONY CDP-CE335. THE CASE IS STUDY ENOUGH TO SUPPORT MY YAMAHA RV-1005 RECEIVER. I BELIEVE THE RECEIVER IS CLOSE TO 20lbs. SOUND IS CRIPY AND CLEAR. NO DISTORTIONS. REMOTE IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT I USE THE REMOTE FROM MY YAMAHA RECEIVER AS IT CONTROLS THE PLAYER. ALL IN ALL I HAVE TO SAY I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE YAMAHA CDC-505 AND WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS GREAT SOUND AT A REASONABLE PRICE. i PAID $149 BUT WOULD GLADLY HAVE PAID THE $179 MSRP. MUCH BETTER THAN MY SONY UNIT AND IT MATCHES RECEIVER.

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SONY CDP-CD-335, REALISTIC, SHARP

Smooth sound for the price

This Yamaha CDP has a reasonably clear and natural sound quality for a budget changer. It also has a nice ergonomic remote control, and features-a-plenty -- such as ability to select how time displays counts, and ability to dim the display.

All in all, I don't have much experience with more audiophile class CD changers, but this one doesn't have any alarming negative characteristics, and seems to be of a reasonably sound build quality.

Recommended. although I would now check into Marantz and NAD models if I were in the market for a CDP again.

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Onkyo CD changer

Solidly built entry CD carousel, good remote, optical out, clean panel

Small display, no power on/off on remote

This is an excellent entry level 5 disc changer. It works well, switches discs quickly, and the play exchange system works. The build quality on this machine is better than most entry level players...the box is actually sturdy, and the warraty is two years....most others (e.g., Sony, are one year). SOUND: I have been using the optical out and relying on the DACs in my Denon 3600 receiver, so I can't comment on the quality of the on-board DACs. Used as a transport, I can't complain...the sound is great, and I really enjoy the carousel feature (moving up from a single disc player). The remote is easy to use and well designed. My only quibbles: There is no remote power on/off (this is getting to be a pain as I listen every night). Also, the display on the machine is very small...difficult to read what track you are on from across the room. All in all, a quality product.

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JVC