Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Used

Summary:
I own the alpha version which I purchased used. Supremely musical, transparent and just sounds ''right''. Vocals are beautifully smooth and liquid; and highs are especially clear, airy and sparkling without ever becoming abrasive. Bass might seem lean in comparison to other players but I would argue that it is more ''correct'' if you value tightness, texture and definition over sheer quantity. In terms of depth, it has excellent extension. I heard the new delta version at a dealer and it sounded magical. But I am unable to compare it to the alpha version which I own, as there were just too many differences in ancillaries. Compared to the Arcam CD92, the CD3 delta easily justifies (at least in my opinion) its 2x premium; however, it is also in the same price range of some serious competition, so I''m not sure about its relative value-for-money. As for the alpha version, I think it is amazing value if you can find one used.

Strengths:
Just about everything, see above

Weaknesses:
macrodynamics

Price Paid:  $5800.00 from soundstage

Summary:
no one has written a review for this product since 1999, and since it has changed from the alpha to delta designation, i thought i should make an entry. the build quality is obviously exceptional-coming from yba, and the sound that eminates from it is dazzling. to use audiophile terminology: it is warm and neutral that lets the music through, just the music - no translucent veil. i''ve listened to many products in this price range and above (e.g. the flagship cd1) and this player delivers the goods if you know what i mean. well, listening is subjective and this sort of forum of attempting to explain the unexplainable leaves one short. audition it for yourself, but i''m tellinng you that it rocks. my system consists of: ed meitner pre-amp and amp; cardas cross interconnects and speaker cable; atlantis stands; jm lab electra 905s; nht sub one i;black diamond racing cones under everything.

Strengths:
really cool case with the lid that slids open. the knobs are interesing, and it comes with a disc stability blanket! oh yeah, it also comes with this little tackle box full of neat idiosyncratic nick-nacks.

Weaknesses:
well, it cost a lot, but you get what you pay for.

Similar Products Used:
conrad-johnson; naim; rega(modified transport);sonic frontiers

Summary:
This player doesn't quite match up to YBA's flagship, the CD-1 Alpha, in terms of sound quality. True, the only difference between these two players is that one has an all-in-one CD transport, DAC and power supply while the other has an external power supply.
Both, however, make use of YBA's propriety 18-bit DACs and patented Blue Laser (which is actually a blue LED that allows more efficient sound reproduction). Still, there is a slight difference in the sound reproduced, in the sense that the CD-1's sound is more vinyl-like.

All the same, the CD-3 makes a fine CD player. It may interest you to know that it is fully-upgradable to the CD-1! Given the fact that its cost is half that of the CD-1, it is practically the top in its class. Which is why it earns five stars from me.

Summary:
If you have the chance to do AB comparison between different products of about equal price, you can draw a clearer conclusion about the characteristics & value of their sound.I compared this YBA with Wadia 830 & Meridien 508-24bit CD Players side by side recently but there was no clear winner.
The test tells me that Wadia 830 has quite an analog but a little bassy sound, Meridien 508-24bit is exciting with tighter bass than YBA CD3 but none can beat the YBA in vocal & details!
However, the YBA sounded a little too thin & cold in compare with Wadia & Meridien.
The musicality in Wadia & YBA are more obvious but YBA's image seperation & depth are better.
Also, YBA has more air in the music & vocal than the other two.
On the whole, YBA is my choice because it is cheaper by a few hundred dollars & moreover, it can be upgraded into YBA CD2 & later YBA CD1 by just the difference of their price!
Wow! That's definitely the most important feature in the long run!
I will rate it straight 5 stars if you link it to a warm amplifier(tube amp or a class A solid-state).
Meanwhile, can I give it 4.5 stars?!

Summary:
I compared the CD-3 to other products in its price range. Like the Meridian,EAD,Conrad-Johnson. I decided to buy the CD-3 because it just sounds better than the others. One outstanding quality of this
player is its non-fatiguing sound. Another is its ability to render
every musical nuance naturally.