Yamaha introduces CD-S303 CD Player with USB

Yamaha introduces a new compact CD player! CD-S303 is of course very contemporary and does not only focus on playing the small silver discs. Various digital music formats are also welcome via the USB interface on the front. The Yamaha CD player supports high-resolution formats with a resolution of up to 96 kHz and 24 bit. Technically, the CD-player is optimized for sound, it includes the so-called Pure Direct circuit.

Yamaha CD player CD-S303

Who of you still listens to music from CDs? If the CD-S303 only plays CDs, it would have been a great April Fool’s joke too. But of course, this is also about the USB port on the front. That opens the way for high-resolution files (with up to 24 bit and 96 kHz). You can also play music files in MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC, or FLAC format. MP3 and WMA files can be resolved with up to 320 kbps. What about WAV files, Yamaha?

The drive itself is not limited to the playback of traditional audio CDs but also plays CD-RW data carriers without any problems. And here too, of course, files with high resolution can be used. The drive is arranged in the middle, which guarantees an optimal weight distribution.

The power supply unit is mounted to dampen vibrations to exclude mechanical influences on the scanning unit. The laser scanning system is isolated by a sliding mechanism, so the sensitive operation is not affected by vibrations, according to Yamaha.

In addition, separate power supply units for the motor drive, as well as the digital and analog circuit components, are housed here. This layout creates very short signal paths between the drive, the converter, and the op-amps of the analog output stage – this is how the optimal sound should come out.

A button on the remote control activates the Pure Direct circuit. The player switches off the digital audio output and the display. Interfering noises are then reduced to a minimum, and the sound quality of the analog audio output is optimized. If you do not deactivate the display, this shows information such as title or artist. With the remote control you can even (as before) program the order of the tracks – but only for CDs. Insanity!

The D/A converter works with 192 kHz and 24 bit, Yamaha speaks of an “extremely precise” conversion, an “excellent” signal-to-noise ratio, and a “first-class” dynamic range.

Let’s come to perhaps the most important question: who still needs something like this in 2021? We have some answers to that. On the one hand, there are the hi-fi freaks who are not (only) satisfied with Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and other streaming services. You can find audio CDs in the junk shop at ridiculous prices; if you like listening to the music of decent quality, you will benefit from it. MP3s or high-resolution files can be played at any time via a USB connection. If you still have a real stereo system at home, you can still use a CD player like this.

And of course, there is another area of ​​application where something of this kind is still in demand. In installations or live operation. A media player is always welcome in a FOH rack. For this reason, the player is available as a CD-S303 with a variant with ears for the 19-inch rack.

And so back to the initial question. Who of you still listens to music from CDs? And would you buy such a player right now? Where would you use it?

Yamaha CD-S303 price and availability

The new Yamaha CD player costs $379.95 and is already available to purchase via the Adorama.com and Bhphotovideo.com websites.

Recently, Yamaha unveiled a new range of Aventage home cinema receivers. Three Yamaha AV receivers models are Yamaha Aventage RX-A4A, RX-A6A, and RX-A8A. The design is the same that we also find on the lower-end product (A2A): the black livery is 2/3 glossy and has a horizontal groove that breaks the continuity of the lines.

About Ankeet Solanki

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