Yamaha CD-S300 and CD-S700

Are you referring to the 300 or the 700?

By the way, I am on my third Yamaha player. The last two (both entry level Yamahas) lasted over 6 years each.

 

I'm reading this thread with interest. I've been eyeing the Yamaha CD-S300, as my ancient Sony CDP-590 (which is obviously nothing fancy, but a total workhorse) is finally showing signs of its age and sometimes not functioning properly. The Sony is over 25 years old and has seen pretty steady use over the years, and only in the last couple of years has it started acting up. So, when I hear of contemporary CD players crapping out when the warranty is up, or even lasting only "over 6 years," I do find it a bit troubling!

 

The 300. I can imagine most people use their CDPs several hours a day; not my case, because I also enjoy watching concert DVDs and listening to vinyl. I remember my CDP was very popular on record stores; every shop owner owned one and it worked from dusk till dawn, and it lasted 2 years that way. Then they would just buy the same machine. So I figured my listening habits would prolonged my CDP's lifespan to well over 25 years.

But just 6 years for a Yamaha ?! How about playing just 2 CDs a week like I do ? Can I expect to get 10 years out of it ?

 

Playing just 2CDs a week, turning it off when not using it, I'd expect something more like 30 years.

What you listen to in a week, I exceed every single day. I average at least 30 hours per week on my CD player.

My CD-S300 is just over three years old and I haven't had a single problem.

 

There's more info on the CD-S300 in this thread: Yamaha CD S300. Has anyone heard it?

 

Martin, you have any good used electronic stores/thrifts nearby? Most of my locals offer a 30 day return. I've had excellent luck finding some dirt cheap/still in operation players over the years. Good way to test the waters for different makes and models as well. Currently my local has a ton of multi changers.

 

There's no such thing as returning an item to an electronics store that sells audio down here, unless the product is defective. Sure; you can return a TV to Wal-Mart if you didn't like it, but a CDP is sold at specialized audio store. Thrift shops are sadly an unknown concept, and whoever sells anything used, sells it for a small fortune. FFS the local Ebay is chock-full of non-working CDPs selling from U$35 and up. I MAY purchase one of those for the spares I need, and get a new optical unit from Ebay USA to prolong my CDPs life several years.

BTW a new CD-S300 goes for a good U$ 650 here.

 

Sucks. Yeah I remember you talking about the prices and possible certain import "fees" you pay a few years ago, and that's if you even receive it.

 

Oh, man. I also think about the poor Europeans who have that large VAT. Ouch!!

 

However they have some of the best recorded music in history that cost's us a pretty penny in massive shipping fees (UK mainly)

 

Maybe the US will get a little relief from UK shipping fees after Brexit?

 

I am in the EU and I must say Yamaha gear is pretty cheap here, even if our local VAT is 21%. Today I saw a CD-S300 advertised for € 195.

 

Wow, that's only $227 USD. Even with VAT it is cheaper than in the US. Dang, I give up. I will no longer feel badly for VAT payers.

 

Holy crap, that's more than double what I see them going for new in the US! Amazon.com has 'em for around $300, for example.

 

Seen it. Made me cry. Is the frontal brushed Al like on the Cambridge ? Or plastic ? Is the Cambridge any good ? (same retail price)

 

I have the Yamaha CD-S300 for a few years now and I enjoy a lot from the cd player ,
I like the sound a lot, natural sound with sparkle ,detailed ,Clear sound that I like/
The Yamaha CD-S300 knows how to play correct cds with pre-emphasis and also play without problems cds with scratches.

I am glad you enjoy from that cd player George

 

Thanks, I am glad I enjoy it, too. And even more glad that replacing it will only cost me $299.

 

Read somewhere that if you skip a song you loose like an entire second of the start of the next song; is that true ? And that it takes several seconds for the player to start playing it ?

 

Neither things are true on my cds300.

 

I am curious how much of a step up the s-1000 would be on CD playback to the 300 and 700. It looks like a much heavier and well built machine and is still reasonably priced.

 

Ive read bad stuff about the reliability of that one.

 

I'm not surprised. I think I read here on the forum a member having multiple problems with the s-2100, and that's a $3000 machine! If I spent that much I would be pretty pissed if I didn't get flawless performance.

 

I might try one of the higher end Yamahas if they werent so big. My shelf is only 12" deep.

 

Not a problem with mine either for whatever that’s worth. Been a reliable performer for the 4-5 months I’ve owned it; knock on wood.

 

Yeah mine has been going strong for 3 years with (at least 2hrs of) daily use.