The Onkyo Icon C-30 CD player is aimed at enthusiasts who appreciate “better sound” — and it pairs perfectly with other components in the Icon series.
Thankfully, CD players are still being released regularly — and across a range of price and quality levels. The new Onkyo Icon C-30 sits in the higher segment, but remains attractively priced. The unit features a 24-bit / 192 kHz DAC, which, according to the manufacturer, delivers refined audio quality. Naturally, Onkyo’s proprietary VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) is included. This technology is designed to reduce pulse noise, resulting in a cleaner analog output.
The C-30 also includes a high-precision 10 ppm clock, helping to keep timing accurate and jitter to a minimum. Output options include analog RCA, as well as coaxial and optical digital. For those still hanging on to older discs, the player also supports CD-R and CD-RW, including discs filled with MP3 and WMA files. Not exactly audiophile territory, but nice to have when needed.
Housed in a solid metal chassis, the Onkyo Icon C-30 will be available starting October, with a suggested retail price of $349 — just in time for the holiday season.