Whether it's a combo for under £500 or more refined high resolution-capable kit costing twice that, there's something in the market for everyone. True, the last couple of years have been a little bit quieter in this area, but that now seems to be changing with a host of new products from manufactures who have come back into the market and some from those that never left it. And all it takes to keep it this way is for enough people to forsake the wrong path of playing CDs on their budget DVD players, and embrace the true way of stereo! You know it makes sense.

It's not just the styling that's gone upmarket though, as the sound quality has also improved with recent technological developments and research conducted into higher priced kit. The CD player in particular performs very well, with an open, direct approach to sound reproduction that immediately draws you into the music and wins a place in our heart.

The A65+ amplifier has been around for a good few years now, but it still performs well for its price. Although, compared to the best of the competition here, particularly the Denon powerhouse, but also the Marantz PM4001OSE, it lacks a little bit of punch for our liking.

As a double act they perform well, but as with Eric Morecombe and Ernie Wise you feel that one of them is the real star while the other one could do with a makeover.

Overview
Price: £420/£400
Size (WxHxD): CD 43x29x9cm, amp 43x29x9cm
Weight: CD 4.6kg amp 5.4kg
SACD playback: No
Amp power rating: 40 watts per channel
Analogue inputs: 4
Phono stage: Yes
Headphone socket: Yes

Still, the company hasn't rested on its laurels, and this latest incarnation of its affordable hi-fi family is better than ever. This double act isn't quite entry level, as it sits just above the brand's 540 components, but it's certainly far from expensive. Not that you would be able to tell that from looking, because in terms of styling and build quality this system gives all the others here a serious run for their money.

The same is true in sound quality, and you have to keep asking how they do it for the cash, or lack of it. The answer that they build the kit in China doesn't hold water as so do most of the other manufacturers. There's an openness to the sound that belies the price point, and, getting away from money for a moment, it offers all-round excellent sound reproduction full stop. The tricky areas of female vocals and complex classical concerts are both handled with flair, and every CD we played on this system came to life before our ears.

Seriously impressive kit, that manages to cement Cambridge Audio's reputation as the first stop on many a price-conscious audiophile's shopping list.

Overview
Price: £250/£250
Size (WxHxD): CD 43x31x7cm, amp 43x32x10cm
Weight: CD 4.6kg, amp 7kg
SACD playback: No
Amp power rating: 65 watts per channel
Analogue inputs: 5
Phono stage: No
Headphone socket: Yes

Build quality is sublime, with top-notch speaker terminals, excellent remote controls and fascias that fairly scream high-end. In fact, the only thing that doesn't scream is the audio performance, which is easily the best here and has a deftness of touch that none of the competition can match (although to be fair, two of them sell at half this price).

This combo is also the only one here to offer SACD replay, but we'll concentrate on the standard version for the sake of fairness, even though the high resolution performance is first rate. This combo just kept demanding we play music on it: whether it was the latest Cat Power offering or the Ramones' Greatest Hits, the Denon duo blew us away with a deft combination of subtly and powerful attack.

Yes, it's the most expensive kit here, but if your budget can stretch to it, then your ears will love you forever.

Overview
Price: £500/£550
Size (WxHxD): CD 43x14x33cm, amp 43x40x13cm
Weight: CD 7.6kg amp 14.6kg
SACD playback: Yes
Amp power rating: 70 watts per channel
Analogue inputs: 5
Phono stage: Yes
Headphone socket: Yes

On the looks front we have to say that while we love the styling of the CD player, we don't think it quite works on the amplifier. And while the metal finish is still a bonus at this price, neither unit feels quite as solid as the similarly priced Cambridge. But, it's all about sound quality at the end of the day, and in that area of expertise Marantz is still the daddy. The combination offers a performance with plenty of drive, attack and a toe-tapping approach to music that keeps you coming back for more.

This stylish combination well and truly puts Marantz back on the affordable hi-fi map, and is worth serious consideration if you are in the market to bring your CD collection back to life.

Overview
Price: £250/£250
Size (WxHxD): CD 44x32x9cm, amp 44x34x16cmcm
Weight: CD 3.7kg amp 6kg
SACD playback: No
Amp power rating: 55 watts per channel
Analogue inputs: 5
Phono stage: Yes
Headphone socket: Yes

At the lower end of the price bracket it was a tough battle between the Marantz and Cambridge Audio pairings, with the Marantz doing better on the feature front but the Cambridge kit just winning out in terms of sound quality and build. However, anyone considering a purchase should certainly check out both, as the slightly different sounds may appeal to different people.

The Arcam kit also sounds excellent and it retains a place in my heart and a tonal balance I'll always feel at home with. However, the new Denon range beats it in terms of features, build and overall sonic output, and it looks like the Japanese company's stereo resurgence is keeping up its head of steam.