Yamaha CD-S2100 High-Performance CD Player

To thoroughly eliminate audio signal loss, the CD-S2100 adopts an innovative circuit configuration for the analogue circuit. The signal from the D/A converter is conventionally output as an analogue signal through an I/V conversion circuit configured in multiple stages. However, in the CD-S2100, the signal is output by a single-stage configuration based on a discrete design of the I/V conversion circuit. This single-stage configuration with high slew-rate sharply lowers audio signal loss compared to a multi-stage configuration circuit, and lowers NFB (Negative Feedback), eliminating any sonic suppression, resulting in a natural, spacious sound. The circuits beyond this D/A converter perform balanced transmission with a circuit configuration marked by symmetrical plus and minus sides. Using a balanced connection with the A-S2100 Floating and Balanced Power Amplifier lets you enjoy profoundly pure sound reproduction without any impact of transmission loss.

The CD-S2100 has adopted a twin power supply transformer method, complete with separate, dedicated power supply transformers for the digital and analogue circuits. Isolating the digital and analogue circuits starting at the transformer step eliminates sound quality deterioration caused by interference and noise between the digital and analogue units—a problem that occurs when they share the same power supply. This results in exceptionally clear, low-noise reproduction of analogue audio. Moreover, the power supply transformer for the analogue circuit is a toroidal transformer that provides stable power supply with low magnetic flux leakage, and the winding, stabilised power supply circuit is completely isolated on the left and right sides. This achieves superior separation—a particularly important point in Hi-Fi audio.

The CD tray is made of high rigidity aluminium, reducing secondary vibrations due to resonance of the disc and the high-speed motor rotating the disc, resulting in improved audio signal-reading precision and quieter operation. In addition to the smart design and luxurious texture, Yamaha have fine-tuned the opening/closing action by adding a specially designed meshed wire drive, achieving smoother and gentler operation. Yamaha obsessively strove to give the unit a luxurious operating feel that perfectly matches the superior sound quality.

The D/A converter for the CD-S2100 is the ES9016 from ESS Technology, Inc. Yamaha selected this after careful examination of all points—not only its high-precision processing of 32-bit audio, but also the ability to handle large amounts of audio data, strength in the low register, and high-quality definition in the high register. Since the built-in D/A converter generates its own master clock, an original Jitter Elimination function is also included, permitting D/A conversion with extremely low impact of clock jitter. Moreover, an 8-channel D/A converter is housed inside the chip, and applies double differential operation using 4-channel D/A converters on the right and left sides respectively. It delivers exceptional high performance and high-quality signal output with superior signal-to-noise ratio, since it employs an analogue signal processing circuit with balanced configuration.

For optimum enjoyment of today’s high-resolution audio sources, Yamaha designed the CD-S2100 with superior D/A conversion and balanced signal output, and equipped it with a built-in USB DAC function which allows direct input of digital audio (from a computer, etc.). The USB DAC employs an original IC, developed specifically for Yamaha. It has an internal master clock, and can perform low-jitter transmission. The CD-S2100 supports the ASIO 2.3 protocol to take full advantage of the sound quality of the USB DAC function. The ASIO 2.3 protocol is a standard protocol for professional use digital audio or DTM, with a significant sound quality benefit: the ability to achieve lower delay and higher throughput than with a standard OS sound driver. The driver software is the ASIO 2.3 Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver*, and allows high quality playback of digital audio data stored to computer. The unit is compatible with digital audio of up to 192kHz/24-bit resolution and supports DSD native playback.

*The software is available as a free download from the Yamaha web site.

Inside and out, the CD-S2100 fully demonstrates Yamaha’s commitment to fine craftsmanship, and its long history as a premier maker of musical instruments. In the connections between the front panel and the side wood, masterful use of advanced processing technology beautifully integrates different materials, metal and wood. On the CD tray, the gap between the front panel and the tray is uniformly precise. The display unit is of half-mirror design, with track information beautifully displayed during CD playback, and at the same time, when the power supply is off, it harmonises beautifully with the aluminium hair-line finish of the front panel.

The supplied remote control is designed in the same way as the aluminium panel of the CD player itself, with a simple, easy-to-understand button layout and gorgeous metallic texture. In addition to the basic CD track selection and play controls, it can also be used to adjust the volume and switch input sources on the companion A-S2100.