Yamaha CD-C603
The Yamaha CD-C603 brings five-disc convenience to a warm, spacious presentation, pairing weighty bass with an open stereo image that stays smooth rather than sharp. TECH REVIEWS found its PlayXchange operation quick and quiet, while USB playback and optical output add welcome flexibility. It is a compelling choice for relaxed, uninterrupted listening with easy musical flow.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
86/100
Build Quality
80/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Warm, smooth sound with substantial bass weight, a large soundstage and an unforced musical flow.
PlayXchange lets listeners replace discs while music continues, with quick, relatively quiet disc changes.
Optical output supports an external DAC, which improves image focus and bass crispness.
Cons
Dynamic contrast and transient bite are restrained compared with more enthusiast-focused CD players.
The internal player’s focus is not as precise as it can be with an external DAC.
PlayXchange is available only from the front panel, not the remote control.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
The CD-C603 is described as warm, smooth and easy-flowing, with a notably large soundstage and substantial bass weight. It trades some focus, transient bite and dynamic contrast for a relaxed, forgiving presentation that remains very satisfying at its price.
Tonal Balance Musicality
88/100
The reviewer found the presentation warm, pleasant and musically free-flowing, with piano rendered warmly and tightly and double bass given convincing weight. Strings remained clear in the open stage without becoming sharp or harsh, although guitar attack and dynamic expression were somewhat softened.
Resolution Detail
86/100
The player produces an impressively wide stereo perspective, with strings described as precisely focused within the open soundstage. However, the reviewer wanted still better focus, and noted that an external DAC sharpened image definition and bass articulation.
Digital Performance
85/100
Its internal playback is clean and enjoyable enough that adding an external DAC did not dramatically alter the overall musical impression. The optical connection did improve focus and make bass crisper, suggesting there is worthwhile performance available from an upgraded outboard DAC.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
As a disc-focused source, the CD-C603 offers useful everyday flexibility through five-disc playback, PlayXchange operation, USB file playback and an optical digital output. The review does not identify operational shortcomings, though it provides limited detail on remote control and interface behavior.
Streaming Software
85/100
This is a CD changer rather than a network player, so day-to-day usability centers on disc and USB operation rather than a streaming-control app. The review reports no navigation, remote-control or operating problems, but gives little detailed commentary on the interface experience.
Features Connectivity
87/100
The five-disc PlayXchange arrangement is a meaningful convenience for uninterrupted listening, while USB playback supports MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and FLAC files up to 24-bit/96kHz. RCA analog outputs, optical digital output and remote in/out add sensible system-integration options, though balanced analog outputs and network streaming are absent.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
80/100
The supplied review says little about chassis construction, disc-changing reliability, tray behavior or long-term durability. Yamaha's five-disc PlayXchange mechanism is a practical design feature, but there is not enough reviewer evidence to make stronger claims about physical execution.
Value for Money
85/100
The reviewed suggested price is €599, while the supplied pricing spans roughly $429 to $700 depending on seller. The reviewer calls the sound very good for a CD player in this class, but does not directly compare its value against competing changers or single-disc players.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Type
- 5-Disc CD Changer
- Compatible Format
- MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV*, FLAC* *up to 96kHz / 24bit
- Disc Compatibility
- CD, CD-R, CD-RW
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- 105 dB
- Dynamic Range
- 96 dB
- Harmonic Distortion
- 0.003 %
- Frequency Response
- CD: 2 Hz-20 kHz Data, CD/USB: Fs 48 kHz 2 Hz - 22 kHz, Fs 96 kHz 2 Hz - 44 kHz -3 dB
- PlayXchange
- Yes
- Output
- Unbalanced L/R (RCA), Optical
- Remote in/out
- Remote in x1 / Remote Out x1 (3.5 mm Output)
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
- 17 1/8" x 4 5/8" x 16"
- Weight
- 12.3 lbs.
Manufacturer's Description — Yamaha
CD-C603 CD Changer
The Yamaha CD-C603 inherits our Hi-Fi technology cultivated over many years. Playback of up to 5 CDs or music files stored on USB with sound full of dynamics and clarity.
- Short signal paths, sophisticated circuitry, intelligent digital servo and laser pickup floating mechanism for high-quality sound
- Fully-opening tray for changing 5 discs at a time. PlayXChange lets you change 4 discs while the 5th one keeps playing
- Pure Direct Mode to achieve the lowest possible noise interference
- Playback music files (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC) via USB port on front-panel. Up to 96kHz/24bit WAV/FLAC
- RCA and Optical outputs
- Random, Repeat, Programmed and other convenient playback functions
PURE DIRECT
The CD-C603 offers Pure Direct, which is the same popular feature included in Yamaha amplifiers and receivers. By pressing the button on the front panel or on the remote control, it shuts down the digital audio output and turns off the display. This achieves the lowest possible noise interference, and the highest sound quality of the analog audio output.
CONVENIENTLY CHANGE CDS
PlayXChange allows you to change four CDs while the fifth keeps playing. Enjoy uninterrupted music! Also, the CD-C603 has a fully-opening disc tray for changing 5 discs at the same time.
HIGH QUALITY SOUND
With a sophisticated internal layout, the CD-C603 plays music with sound full of dynamics and clarity.
The CD-C603 also provides high-quality play of music files (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC) stored on USB memory devices via a USB port on the front panel.
TRUE SOUND
Yamaha is the only audio brand in the world that manages every facet of sound, from its creation to the moment it graces your ears. Simply close your eyes, and you won't just hear the music - you'll experience the unparalleled sensation of being genuinely closer to the artist.
Yamaha is the only audio brand in the world that manages every facet of sound, from its creation to the moment it graces your ears. Simply close your eyes, and you won't just hear the music - you'll experience the unparalleled sensation of being genuinely closer to the artist.
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Authorized dealers for Yamaha CD-C603
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 138 Quaiduson — online and in-store — Lille, Hauts-de-France, France (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sound Design — online and in-store — Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
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