Home / Audio / Home Hi-Fi

A Japanese Hi-Fi Maker Just Gave Audiophiles Another Reason to Revisit Their Old CD Collection

Chalk this down as another “win” for fans of physical media.

Onkyo Icon C-30 CD PlayerOnkyo

By Tucker Bowe

Published

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

It’s been a big year for Onkyo.

At the end of 2024, the heritage Japanese hi-fi manufacturer announced a big rebrand, stating that it would enter new product categories that cater “to both everyday audio consumers and high-end, premium hi-fi listeners.”

Then, in January 2025, it announced its new Icon series, which consisted of three different amplifiers — a power amp, a preamp and a streaming amp — all aimed at audiophiles.

And now, the brand has revealed an all-new CD player that will be joining its upcoming Icon series.

Onkyo Icon C-30 CD Player

Onkyo Icon C-30 CD Player
The Onkyo Icon C-30 is the newest addition to the brand’s Icon series of hi-fi components.
Onkyo

A new Icon

The Onkyo Icon C-30 is a high-performance CD player and the newest addition to the brand’s upcoming Icon series, which includes the Icon P-80 network preamplifier ($1,999), M-80 power amplifier ($1,999) and A-50 network integrated amplifier ($1,499).

The Icon C-30 shares a similar footprint with Onkyo’s other Icons and comes in the same silver or black finishes.

Onkyo Icon C-30 CD Player
According to the brand, the Onkyo Icon C-30 is a high-quality CD player that promises to bring “breathtaking clarity” to their music.
Onkyo

Certified audiophile-grade

Onkyo’s new CD player promises audiophile-grade performance in a relatively affordable package — “affordable,” at least, when compared to the brand’s other Icon series.

The Icon C-30 utilizes proprietary VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuit) tech to remove pulse noise from the digital signal path. Then, when combined with its premium 24-bit/192kHz DAC, Onkyo claims its able to reveal “every nuance of your music with breathtaking clarity.”

Onkyo Icon C-30 CD Player
The Onkyo Icon C-30 supports RCA, optical, and digital coaxial outputs.
Onkyo

Revisit your CD collection

As far as playback, the Icon C-30 can play CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs. If you have burned CDs, have no fear, as it also supports MP3 and WMA files, as well. (Unfortunately, the C-30 does not appear to support SACDs.)

On the rear panel, the Icon C-30 features RCA, optical, and digital coaxial outputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide variety of hi-fi systems.

Onkyo Icon C-30 CD Player
The Icon C-30 will be available this October, along with the rest of Onkyo’s Icon series.
Onkyo

Price and availability

Like the rest of Onkyo’s Icon series, the Icon C-30 CD player isn’t available just yet — it’ll be released this coming October.

It will cost $349, making it the most affordable component in Onkyo’s Icon series to date. It’ll come in silver or black finishes.

About the Author:

Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Read More