To thoroughly eliminate audio signal loss, the CD-S3000 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-S3000, 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 these D/A converters perform balanced transmission with a circuit configuration marked by symmetrical plus and minus sides. Using a balanced connection with the A-S3000 Floating and Balanced Power Amplifier lets you enjoy profoundly pure sound reproduction without any impact of transmission loss.

The D/A converter for the CD-S3000 is the ES9018 from ESS Technology, Inc. We 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 it is constructed with the master clock inside the D/A converter, it is also features an original Jitter Eliminator function, 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.

With high-resolution audio sources becoming more and more common today, we designed the CDS3000 for optimum enjoyment of those sources with superior D/A conversion and the unit’s balanced signal output, and equipped it with a built-in USB DAC function which allows direct input of digital audio (from a computer, etc.) through a USB terminal. The USB DAC employs an original IC, developed specifically for Yamaha. It has an internal master clock, and can perform low-jitter transmission, or receiving signals without being synchronised with the master clock in the PC. The unit is compatible with digital audio of up to 192kHz/24-bit resolution.

The CD-S3000 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 software is available as a free download from the Yamaha web site.

As befits a top-end audio component, the CD-S3000 gives off the presence of a fine musical instrument, with absolutely no screws or fasteners that can be seen from the outside. Every single aspect of its construction and design exudes master craftsmanship and reflects an obsession with quality—a truly musical quality possible only for Yamaha, a world class musical instrument manufacturer. The player with its refined design has been meticulously finished by skillful use of advanced processing technologies: integrating the top panel and side wood connection, leaving no gaps while using different materials—metal and wood—for the connection. On the CD tray, the gap between the front panel and the tray is uniformly precise. Moreover, the beautifully finished half-mirrored glass window of the display is precision-fit to the front panel smoothly without gaps—lending an exceptionally elegant appearance to the unit.