sound quality, i consider it to be virtually unbeatable for the price.

build quality. in just over a year, the output sockets, jog dial and display have malfunctioned.

I tried out around five similarly-priced CD players in spring 2001, the D300 sounded the best by far and, pleasingly, still does. Bass output is nothing short of remarkable, tight and deep which is evident wether using floor standers or standmounters and is unfussy when it comes to selecting an appropriate amp. The unit outputs crisp, clean treble without any hint of harshness and is complimented by the detailed midrange. unfortunately the gorgeous sound output is let down by the build quality. within a few months of buying it, the left phono output disconnected internally due to incompetant soldering and it had to be sent back to the factory for repair. futhermore i have recently noticed the jog dial is now incredibly loose and wobbles unreassuringly. did i mention the left half of the display no longer functions? it also has mild problems with CD-Rs, but always recognises them within ten to fifteen seconds. If the CD hasn't been finalised though, it can take up to half a minite for the mechanism to find the first track. If you put a less-than-perfect CD with only minor scratches into he D300 it is virtually guaranteed to skip due to the advanced tracking mechanism - possibly a drawback of too much technology. i use it with: Cambridge Audio A4 amp Eltax Symphony 6.2 speakers Cambridge Audio Pacific phono interconnect Gale XL-160 (i think) bi-wire speaker cable. (as a point of interest, the system is well ballanced with amazing bass, but voices can very occasionally be lost. also i paid £150 GBP£ for it in England, not USD$.)

Similar Products Used:

over half of Richer Sounds similarly-priced CD players, amps, speakers and interconnects.

BASS, SOUNDSTAGE, CLARITY, BUILD.

DIFFICULT TO READ DISPLAY (WHO CARES WHEN IT SOUNDS THIS GOOD!)

WOW, WHAT AN UPGRADE FROM MY SONY CHANGER! IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE BOARD. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE UPGRADE, THIS IS IT!

SOUNDSTAGE, BUILD

SWEET, SWEET, SWEET....BECAUSE I BUY A CD PLAYER TO LISTEN TO MUSIC, I CONSIDER THE DISPLAY AND JOG ISSUES TO BE NON-RELEVANT. THIS PLAYER DOES WHAT IT WAS BUILT FOR...PLAY MUSIC SWEET, SWEET, SWEET.

Similar Products Used:

SONY,TECHNICS, YADA,YADA,YADA.

Incredible sound.

None at this price point. I would complain about the dim display if it weren''t such a value.

This review is for the D300SE, or Special Edition, which has newer DACs and upgrade capability. Burn-in takes quite a while with this CD player. Once accomplished (between 36 - 100 hours), the CDP is completely different. Once burned in, the CDP is incredible for the money. I installed Ecosse interconnects at the same time, so they broke in together. Due to the new 24 bit crystal DAC, this thing really sings. I had it A/B''ed with an older NAD 513, and the 513 blew it away before break in. Now, I won''t even listen to the 513, as it is two leagues below the D300 in sound. I have played them both for non-audiophiles, and no matter how little experience someone has they can tell that the D300 sounds better than the NAD (which objectively sounds nice considering its age). To make a long story short, if you value sound quality and want the most sound for the money, then buy this CDP. The sound quality manages to blend imaging, clarity and warmth in a manner that I find very pleasing. It images as well as my Rotel, without sounding as flat and analytical. It is as warm as my NAD, without the crowded and ill-defined bass and much greater overall clarity. My equipment: B&W 602S2''s Ecosse interconnects Kimber speaker cable Marantz SR-5000 Receiver (soon to be upgraded to NAD C370 integrated amp).

Similar Products Used:

NAD, Rotel, etc.

Good sound quality, not excessivly bright or assaultive, strong output,
good build quality at this price point

Display not viewable at many angles

I purchased a Cambridge Audio D300 to replace a much older Sony cd player, and am quite pleased with the improvement in sound quality, and in the feel and usability of the machine.

There are noticible improvments in clarity and range of the sound; bass goes lower and is clearer, highs are less noisy and assaultive than before and vocals are more real sounding. The sound overall feels more mellow (less sharp), which I like.

I like the construction of the machine: black brushed metal front, simple buttons, solid feeling transport (I am told it is made by sony, but it is quite different than the transport on my old player), and a solid (if slighly slow to use sometimes) wheel for changing tracks.

The D300 (despite specs on the cambridge website) seems to have both optical and coaxial digital outputs, but I have yet to use either of these.

I like the way that the machine 'wraps' around; goes from the last track to the first when flipping through.

My only complaint's are minor: the display face (track/time display) is curved, and strange glare makes it difficult to read at some angles. Also, the tray does not close when 'play' is pressed; you have to first press the close button (although, once again, this is minor).

I'm also using a sony reciver (STSD911; 110 watts i think) with B&W DM302 speakers.

I give 5 stars for both, as it is among the best CD players I have heard; certainly though there may be much better devices at higher price points, but I cannot say as I have never listened critically to any of these.

Similar Products Used:

Lower end Sony CD and DVD players

Very, very slight roll-off in the high frequency helps diminish tape hiss and smooths out brighter cd's a little.

Touchy power cord, poor display. It's still green and they haven't changed it yet.

These comments are for the 300SE.

On this machine my poor recordings sound a little better. And my better recordings sound a little worse. We can't have everything can we. Most of my favorite recordings are average to below average in quality so more often than not the Cambridge is the player of choice for the evening.

Upper midrange is a tiny bit off. You may or may not care for the effect. Overall this is a very good machine and I recomend it highly.

Similar Products Used:

NAD, Sony, Rega, Denon

Sonically dynamic sound.

Lack of editing features.

Purchased this after being sick of my old Sony`s tinny sound ( cymbols louder that vocals ). I first went for a Yamaha but that was very bland although not tinny.
Was knocked out by this products bass - very crisp and in your face, whilst not losing the vocals and the hi-end frequencies.
On the negative side, it has no features for tape/c.d editing and you can`t find out the remaining track time from the display which is a useful feature when recording. The display is very basic.
This machine has been built for sound, I`m a rock music fan and my c.d`s now shine with a true low end I never knew was there!
The D300 has had every bit of money spent on it put into creating a true recreation of having a band in your front-room ( with no frills on the player ).
A reasonable price also! - Try it!

Similar Products Used:

?

sound (esp. bass)
build quality

display

very impressive right out of the box--esp. the bass which really surprised me. Although I am relying on memory, D300 is at least as good as Rega and a hi-priced rotel on my favorite discs (did a long audition with both and decided not to buy either) then I needed a replacement for bedroom cd player (11 yr pioneer)--didn't want to spend 5-7 hundred. Remembered how impressed I was with 4se a while back (except for build quality) and decided to check new models out. I am very happy with it so far. Got it from Toys from the attic. Delivered in two days. Still burning it in. I know there are better players so I would have to give it a four star rating in terms of absolutes, but five stars for its class this is a real bargain (it cost less than my 11 yr old pioneer did when new)

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge 4se
old pioneer player
pioneer dvd

natural sometimes neutral, warm (typical English sound), transparental, good width soundstage, clear in high, warm in mid strong and controlled in low, price, good construction, D/A upgradeble (so you can use it as a transport), HDCD, jog shuttle, remote

lower in depth of sounstage then in width of it, but this depends also in what amplification or speakers are in use and in recording that is in use, loosing space listenig bigger orchestral works, display

I own this CD player for over a 3 months, and when I bought it first I put it on power waiting for about one hour to get warmed. But I knew it must be turn on for some days, and for real listenig features I must wait for a moth (he is turned on constantly, even now). So after a monh Cambridge opened his soul, and from then I must say I was stunning with sound that this player is offering.

INSIDE PLAYER:
The quality of making this player is very good, Cambridge have hi-end philospohy so they did not supplied you with some cheap cables, yet they advice you to ask your local dealer in buying them (I prefer good english or american made). Cambridge is built on high quality peaces of equipment. All conectors are built in gold. There are few clasicall conectors, optical and BNC digital output, so the player can be used as transport. Yet Cambridge use transport form Sony exclusively made for Cambridge and have good intern cables.

LISTENING
Okay, with this price you can't expect hi-end quality but hi quality class, yes (I must say). Typical english soft and warm sound, transparental, width sounstage, clear, high detalied, but of course it is all depend on amplification you have and of course as on speakers and cables. I prefer combination with US or England component products in all range, but you must also have good position of speakers in room, because this player like space. As I have smaller room he will manage with small rooms too, don't woory, player will satisfied you with any room you have. In lowers he is a champion, even beats Kenwood or Sony I was tested and my advice is, try it with self stand speakers as he prefers bigger speakers than monitors (cause of his bass performances), but hey if you have high quality monitors like Alon Petite for example, you will enjoy too.
Timbre and dynamic of this player is good, detailes are naturally presenting, somethimes neutral (depend on quality of recording)
As I mostly listen clasicall music, he manage good in solo works, vocals and chamber music (where he give you clear and natural presence of musicians with good sperating between them), but he loose space with bigger orchestral works, esspecially space between musicians, and with less focusing.
This is his only anomaly, lower space and focusing, as I heard.
In Jazz or pop music sound is taken from CD-s in same presence as it was recorded. Naturally, good definition, detailed and transparent. The sound is good in deptht too like it is in width (unlike in clasicall pieces), so you can feel like you are on the stage or studio where the performers are. Vocals are clear and detailed, mostly alive.
Listening rock or heavy pieces are also very detaled, dynamic and very transparental.

CONCLUSION:
I must say for the price it is best buy, so I highly recommend this owesome player because for better sound you must buy three times more expensive player. As he can be used as a transport, you can buy some good D/A coverter and you will then, maybe, I say maybe get real hi-end peace. I think all that anomaly will disappeared then.
Even I listened this player in combination with Phase linear amplifier, Kenwood 7090 and Tannoy D70 Definition series loudspeaker I must say Cambridge is very close to Kenwood sound (Sony was totally beaten), but look at the price, and with good D/A conv. he will beat most of the expensive players you can find on the market today.
My own amplification (Marantz and JM Lab speakers give me the most with this player, if I will change something in future first it will be amplification and speakers, but this days I will buy some good inteconnect cables, maybe Kimber HERO XLR and Cambridge will become even better, I will inform you about changes)
SYSTEM USED:

Marantz SC500 pre-amplifier
Marantz SM500DC power amplifier
Phase Linear 700 power amplifier
JM Lab Cobalt 820 speakers
Tannoy D70 Definition series
cables: Qued, Audioquest, CableTalk interconnect cables, Kimber 8pr biwire speaker cables

MUSIC USED:

- GUSTAV MAHLER: Symphony nr.2, Live in Masada, conducted by Zubin Mehta, C.D.I. 28901
- AARON COPLAND: Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Louis lane, TELARC CD-80078
- VIVALDI: Concerti, Camerata Bern, Thomas Fueri, DGG 415 487-2
- CARL ORFF: Carmina Burana, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa, RCA Gold Seal 07863 56533 2
- JOE SATRIANI, The Extremist, RELATIVITY 471672,2
- UB40, Signing Off, Virgin 0777 7 88261 2 5
- DUKE ELLINGTON, Soul Call, Verve 539 785-2

Similar Products Used:

Sony CDP XA30ES, Kenwood DP4090

I Just wanted to add a little bit of knowledge:

If you buy the optional Cambridge Audio SRC-01
Remote control (It is bundled with the A500 Amp),
then the PLAY function DOES CLOSE THE CD TRAY.

This is great, since you can control the A500
volume, and the D500 from a single control.

One problem: The SRC-01 has no Open/Close button.
You have to manually open the tray.
(But then the play button will close it automatically!)

If only they released another remote, that worked
like the SRC-01, but also included an open/close button!

Similar Products Used:

D500