CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Yamaha CD-S303

The CD-S303 is a single-disc CD player from Yamaha's HiFi components range that plays audio CDs and CD-R/RW discs and adds a front-panel USB port for music files. Yamaha states that it inherits many design features of its higher-end CD players, and it carries the Pure Direct function also found on the brand's amplifiers and receivers.

Key specs that matter

Yamaha specifies a frequency response of 2 Hz to 20 kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio of 105 dB, a dynamic range of 96 dB and harmonic distortion of 0.003 percent for CD playback. Conversion is handled by a 192 kHz/24-bit DAC. The rear panel offers analogue RCA, optical and coaxial digital outputs. Files in MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC and FLAC format can be read from USB memory devices, and data files burnt to CD-R/RW discs also play. The chassis is 435 x 86 x 260 mm and weighs 3.5 kg, and the package includes a remote control and an RCA stereo cable.

Engineering and use context

Inside, the power supplies for the motor drive, the display and the USB section are isolated from one another and from the digital and analogue stages to prevent electromagnetic interference between them. The drive mechanism sits in the centre of the case for stable weight balance, and the symmetrical board layout keeps signal paths short and straight. Parts include a high-grade audio capacitor and a low-noise op amp with high gain bandwidth, with damping material placed under the transformer and around the signal cables. The laser pickup rides on a floating mechanism that isolates it from vibration. Intelligent Digital Servo uses a DSP dedicated to CDs to watch the signal and adjust tracking, focus and spindle speed, compensating for warped discs, dust and other defects that a conventional servo cannot fully handle. Pressing Pure Direct on the front panel or the remote switches off the digital output and the display to reduce noise at the analogue output. Other functions include a three-mode CD Text display for disc title, artist and track, programme play for audio CDs, 10-key direct track access, random and repeat play, a three-mode time display, four illumination levels, last track resume and play mode memory.

Pairing

The RCA output connects to the line input of any stereo amplifier or receiver. The optical and coaxial outputs can feed an external DAC or an AV receiver, but they are muted whenever Pure Direct is on, so a digital connection needs that mode left off.

Alternatives

The Yamaha CD-S700 is a larger CD player with a differential D/A converter, an aluminium front panel, 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio and a weight of 6.2 kg.