Price Paid:  $120.00 from Used

Summary:
The sonic signature of this player can be described as slightly laid back and somewhat thin sounding, with clean and extended highs compared to other players I've owned.

It loads discs fast and has no problem with slightly scratched discs or various CDR brands (TDK, Samsung, Memorex). I've had no problems with reliability nor have I noticed loud operation. The remote even operates an A-B repeat function.

The build quality seems to be good for the price. The front panel is thick metal and the power switch is even a solid 'rocker' type switch. The other buttons on the front panel are a little flimsy though. What is most impressive is the fact that the player utilizes separate power supplys for the digital, analog, and servo circuits.

All in all, this is a fine stand-alone player to keep an eye out for on the used market.

Strengths:
Overall build & sound quality for the price.

Weaknesses:
Flimsy front panel buttons.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz 63SE, Sony SCD-CE775, Panasonic A120 DVD, Samsung 709 DVD

Price Paid:  $179.00 from AudioAdvisor

Summary:
With 52 reviews for the little AMC, it's hard to say anything new. I mainly want to chime in on the reliability issue. I have not had a single problem with the unit. It has never rejected a disc. It has never skipped. Not once.

For bang for the buck, this is one of my wisest audio buys ever. It easily rivals my older NAD cd player. (517) I litsen to mainly rock, jazz, and classical, and it does a superb job to all. I love the NAD-ish styling. The remote, as others have said, is very cheesy, but otherwise, it's hard to find a flaw.

Strengths:
Consistency.
Price.
Style.

Weaknesses:
Remote

Similar Products Used:
NAD 517
Sony 775 SACD Player

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Audio Advisor

Summary:
I have had none of the problems reported by others reviewing the CD8B . Ive had it for a year 1/2. And its been flawless. Remastered 20 bit cds are ,unbelievable! This player is quick, the notes just fly. It doesnt shine as well on mid-fi gear, but still sounds better than any player costing 2 to 3 times the price. Ive heard many, many different players and some costing 4 grand. This player is a giant killer. I did ad RF filters in inside the player at key points. It made a 25% difference in resolution. This player is very picky with interconnects. Ive tried many types. I found the best match to be Monster Cable Reference 2. Interconnects will make or break this player. My gear is a Musical Fidelity AC3R amp and pre-amp. This player isnt the best in the world. But bang for buck its as good as it gets.

Strengths:
Very musical. Soundstage low level and harmonic detail are on par with players costing 3 times the price. Sounds almost analog.

Weaknesses:
Needs to matched with hi-end gear. Bass is a bit lean.

Similar Products Used:
Sony ES,Nad,Phillips,Kenwood,Arcam,Onkyo,Rega, Technics,Pioneer

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Price Paid:  $400.00 from Practical Hifi

Summary:
I've had this player for more than 4 years now. It's more refined than the Arcam 7cd and has a smooth laidback sound. Never impressed me much throughout the years and will be getting a used Audio Note CD2 next week.

Strengths:
Average just-doing-the-job player

Weaknesses:
Average just-doing-the-job player

Similar Products Used:
Marantz cd-63Kisig, Arcam 10 amp, b&w cdm1se

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Audio Advisor

Summary:
For the first several months I owned this cd player, I thought it was great. The sound was nice and it moved quickly to a track selected, even if it was at the end of the cd. This lasted up until last week when I got a tuner for my system. Since then, the player has only been on once or twice, and not for very long. When using the tuner, I find the best place for the bass and treble controls is dead center; with the cd player, I keep fiddling with them, upping the treble, then the bass, then dropping the treble, and so on.

A previous review commented on the sound of the cd spinning, and I can say I've noticed the same thing, even if I'm sitting across the room from the stereo. Is it bad? No. Is it reasonable for a $200 cd player? Probably.

It may be valuable to point out that this cd player is my first "real" cd player, I don't have a lot to compare it to. Nonetheless, the tuner, which uses identical circuitry in the amp, sounds much better, even concidering it is mono. I've even used the cd player's interconnects, and no change, the flatness (in comparison to the tuner) is definately due to the cd player.

Strengths:
Good price, nice look. The interface, both on the player and remote, is nice.

Weaknesses:
Sounds like a cd player.

Similar Products Used:
None.