Audio Research Reference CD7 CD Player Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance: 4 Stars
Value: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2

A product of outstanding performance is often labeled as "reference," meaning that it is used as a measuring stick for other products. Unfortunately, however, the term "reference" has been abused so much that few people take it seriously any more. It's no surprise to me that, in fact, most new products are labeled by their manufacturer as the "new reference," even though the previous iteration released a year ago was also "reference." What is a consumer to believe?

One company which doesn't use the word "reference" lightly is the Minnesota-based Audio Research Corporation. Audio Research, or ARC, is one of the grandfathers of the audio industry, having not only remained in business since 1970, but still thriving in 2008. When Audio Research releases a product with the word "reference" in the name, they need to be taken seriously, since they don't do so very often.

Additional Resources
• Read more source component reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Find a receiver to connect with the CD7.

Audio Research has been building CD players since 1995, when they released the CD1. It wasn't until 2005, when they released the CD7, that they felt they could turn digital data into music well enough to label it a reference product. This should tell you how seriously Audio Research takes their reference products.

The Ref CD7 is best introduced by what it doesn't do, compared to those things that most other modern CD players do. For example, it doesn't play SACDs, or DVD-Audio discs, or even upsample. It doesn't need to, however. It plays good old fashioned two-channel Redbook discs so well that it will make you forget all those other things even exist. What Audio Research has created is simply a fantastic disc player for true two-channel enthusiasts.

The $8,995 Reference CD7 is a top-loading player that contains seven 6H30 vacuum tubes, four triodes for the audio gain and three for power supply regulation. It utilizes the proven Philips Pro2 laser mechanism and the Crystal 24-bit DAC. It offers single-ended and XLR analog outputs, as well as BNC coax and AES/EBU balanced digital outputs. It is available in either natural brushed silver or classic black. The face shares many styling cues with the rest of the Reference family, namely a large green display that is easy to read from across the room.

Read about the high points and low points of the CD7 on Page 2.

Page 1 | Page 2

Featured Audio-Video News

Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices? -

The audio video has been in a state of flux or some time, splitting sales up between specialty dealers, big box stores, and online sellers. However, the dealers may have had more to do with this than they think.

Latest Source Component Reviews

Napa Acoustic NA-208C CD Player Reviewed -

Newcomer Napa Acoustic offers the NA-208C CD player. HomeTheaterReview.com reviewer Andrew Robinson took the player for a spin. Read on to see how his evaluation of the piece went.

Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 Digital to Analog Converter Reviewed -

The Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 digital to analog convertor more than impressed Home Theater Review editor Andrew Robinson when he reviewed it, and he put it through some rather extensive testing. Read about why the DAC-2 impressed him so much.

North Star Design USB dac32 Reviewed -

If you are in the market for a digital to analog convertor and don't want to break the bank, you should look into the North Star Design dac32, at least according to the performance Terry London encountered during his review.

Marantz SA8004 SACD / CD Player / USB DAC Reviewed -

Marantz adds the SA8004 SACD player to the company's offerings. However, the SA8004 has a few interesting tricks up its sleeve. Brian Kahn takes a look at the component to see if it is worth your time.

Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP CD Player Reviewed -

The most widely used physical media for music is still the Red Book CD. Electrocompaniet has made a new CD player, the EMC-1UP, that acknowledges this and attempts to elevate that media to new heights. But does it succeed?

Crestron HD-MD8x1 HDMI Switcher Reviewed -

HDMI can be a problem factor for any AV component, regardless of price. Crestron offers up the HD-MD8x1 HDMI switcher as a solution to this problem. Jerry Del Colliano examines whether or not it is successful.

McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD Player Reviewed -

Brian Kahn unboxes the McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD player and puts it to the test. What he discovered as he continued to attempt different sources, is that this player had several surprises in store for him.

High Resolution Technologies iStreamer Reviewed -

Connect your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad to the iStreamer to get the best sound from your portable music library. Compact, simple to use, and most importantly, very good sounding, the iStreamer advances the sonics of an iPod by leaps and bounds.

Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards -

The Editors of Home Theater Review have extensively searched, reviewed, and now chosen the best of the best home theater and audio gear, HDTVs and beyond. Click through for the winners in each category from the likes of Vizio, Samsung, Sharp and many others.

Wadia 151 PowerDAC Amp/DAC Reviewed -

Wadia's latest digital powerhouse combines a DAC with a power amp for a complete solution for anyone who wants not merely good, but great sound at their computer desktop. With USB, coaxial, and Toslink digital inputs the Wadia 151 PowerDAC is ready for any and digital sources up to 192/24.