Arcam CD25 — Compact Disc Player

The ARCAM CD25 is the definitive Radia Series CD player, merging decades of digital audio expertise with modern dual-mono DAC engineering to honour the enduring value of physical music. The ARCAM CD25 is a high-performance CD player developed from nearly four decades of ARCAM digital audio expertise. It combines precision engineering with modern circuit design to deliver outstanding Compact Disc playback. The CD25 stands as a confident statement that physical media remains relevant in an era dominated by streaming, offering a tangible and deeply satisfying way to enjoy music. ARCAM’s long heritage in digital audio engineering is distilled into every aspect of this player’s design.

Engineering and Sound Performance

The CD25 incorporates a low-noise linear power supply and a Compact Disc mechanism mounted on an internal vibration-damping chassis for stable, accurate signal retrieval. Digital-to-analogue conversion is managed by a dual-mono DAC design using two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips with ESS reference voltage regulators. Each DAC independently processes one channel in balanced mode, ensuring excellent channel separation and low noise. Balanced XLR outputs make the CD25 an ideal partner for the ARCAM A50 Signature and SA45, while line-level RCA outputs allow seamless integration with the A25+ and SA35. The result is the best-sounding CD player ARCAM has ever created. The dual-mono architecture eliminates crosstalk between channels at the conversion stage, a refinement typically reserved for far more expensive separates. ARCAM’s choice of the ES9039Q2M, one of the most advanced DAC chips currently available, reflects the company’s commitment to placing the CD25 at the forefront of digital playback technology.

Key Features

• Dual-Mono DAC Architecture — Independent left and right channel processing delivers superior channel separation, lower noise, and a more precise, spacious stereo image.
• Low-Noise Linear Power Supply — Provides a stable, ultra-quiet electrical foundation, allowing fine musical detail and dynamic contrast to emerge clearly.
• Vibration-Damped Disc Mechanism — Minimises mechanical interference for cleaner data retrieval, enhancing timing accuracy, clarity, and overall musical coherence.
• Balanced and RCA Analogue Outputs — Ensures optimal system matching, whether using fully balanced Radia Series amplifiers or conventional line-level inputs.
• ARCAM-Tuned via Blind Listening Tests — Combines objective accuracy with musical engagement, ensuring sound quality that is both technically precise and emotionally engaging.
• Plastic-Free Packaging — For easy disposal or natural materials.
• Internal Vibration-Damping Chassis — Isolates the disc mechanism from external vibrations, supporting consistent long-term reading reliability.
• ESS Reference Voltage Regulators — Provide a stable reference voltage to each DAC, contributing to exceptionally low jitter and noise performance.