Price Paid:  $140.00 from Crutchfield

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Convenient features, range of connections, build quality.

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

Similar Products Used:
no need for other products!

Price Paid:  $130.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
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.

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

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

Price Paid:  $65.00 from Ebay

Summary:
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.

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

Weaknesses:
can't turn it off from remote

Similar Products Used:
technics

Price Paid:  $149.00 from Sears

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
VERY QUIET. FAST DISC CHANGE. STURDY BUILD.

Weaknesses:
REMOTE DOES NOT CONTROL ON AND OFF

Similar Products Used:
SONY CDP-CD-335, REALISTIC, SHARP

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
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.

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

Weaknesses:
Small display, no power on/off on remote

Similar Products Used:
JVC