The CD-S303 is a single-disc CD player designed for playback of CD and CD-R/RW discs, complemented by a USB port on the front panel for MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC and FLAC files. It inherits several solutions from higher-end Yamaha players, most notably the Pure Direct mode, which switches off the digital audio output and the display, thereby reducing interference and increasing the purity of the analogue output. Conversion is handled by a 192 kHz/24-bit D/A converter, which contributes to accurate conversion, a high signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamics.
The internal layout of the boards and components is symmetrical and logically arranged, so that the signal paths on the individual boards remain short and direct. The power supply for the drive mechanism, the display, the USB section as well as the digital and analogue sections is kept separate, which eliminates electromagnetic interference between the sections. The mechanism is positioned in the centre of the unit for weight balance and stable operation, while the laser pickup unit is mounted on a floating mechanism that isolates it from vibration.
The choice of components also affects reproduction quality: a higher-grade acoustic capacitor is used, along with a new low-noise operational amplifier with a wide gain bandwidth and damping material beneath the transformer and around the signal wiring. The Intelligent Digital Servo with a dedicated DSP continuously monitors the signal and corrects track tracking, pickup focus and spindle motor speed, so playback remains stable even with warped or dirty discs. The result is clearly legible detail, a signal-to-noise ratio of 105 dB, a dynamic range of 96 dB and harmonic distortion of 0.003 %.
The unit offers optical, coaxial and analogue RCA outputs, so it can be connected to an amplifier directly or via an external converter. User features include three-mode CD Text display (album title, artist, track), programmed playback, direct track selection via 10 buttons, random and repeat playback, three-mode time display, four display brightness levels, resume from the last track, playback mode memory and Ready mode. Dimensions of 435 × 86 × 260 mm and a weight of 3.5 kg match a standard hi-fi system.
| Outputs | Optical, Coaxial and Analogue RCA |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 2 Hz–20 kHz (CD) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) | 105 dB (CD) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD @ 1 kHz, 0 dBFS, A-weighted) | 0.003% (CD) |
Yamaha is one of the few hi-fi manufacturers that also builds concert grand pianos and wind instruments. When developing an amplifier or a speaker system, therefore, it does not have to guess what a real instrument should sound like, as it has one to hand and can compare the sound to it. This forms the basis of a principle the brand has adhered to since the 1970s, known as ‘Natural Sound’: sound without embellishment and without any inherent colouration. In 1974, this principle was established by the NS-1000 loudspeakers with beryllium drivers, and ever since it has guided everything Yamaha produces for home listening, from turntables and amplifiers right through to AV receivers and wireless systems. Anyone looking for a sound that neither enhances nor embellishes a recording in any way will find exactly that with Yamaha.
Manufacturer information (GPSR)
Manufacturer
Yamaha Corporation
10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8650 Japonsko
Responsible person in the EU
Yamaha Music Europe GmbH
Siemensstrasse 22–34, 25462 Rellingen Germany