Arcam

Arcam CD25 Compact Disc Player

  • Arcam CD25 CD player front view in black with slot-loading disc drive and OLED display
  • Arcam CD25 CD player rear panel showing balanced XLR outputs, RCA line outputs, coaxial and optical digital outputs

CD25

$2,499.00
$2,499.00

In-Store Only

Coming soon in early 2027.

Contact Us

Please call us at 1-905-270-3440 or simply fill out the form below for ordering & more info.

Product Overview

The ARCAM CD25 is a high-performance CD player developed from nearly four decades of ARCAM digital audio expertise. It combines precision engineering with modern circuit design to deliver exceptional Compact Disc playback.

The CD25 features a low-noise linear power supply and a Compact Disc mechanism mounted on an internal vibration-damping chassis for stable, accurate signal retrieval. Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by a dual-mono DAC design using two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips with ESS reference voltage regulators. Each DAC independently processes one channel in balanced mode, ensuring excellent channel separation and low noise.

Balanced XLR outputs make the CD25 an ideal partner for the ARCAM A50 Signature and SA45, while line-level RCA outputs allow seamless integration with the A25+ and SA35. The result is the best-sounding CD player ARCAM has ever produced.

Features

  • Dual-Mono DAC Architecture - Independent left and right channel processing delivers superior channel separation, lower noise, and a more precise, spacious stereo image
  • Low-Noise Linear Power Supply - Provides a stable, ultra-quiet electrical foundation, allowing fine musical detail and dynamic contrast to emerge clearly
  • Vibration-Damped Disc Mechanism - Minimises mechanical interference for cleaner data retrieval, improving timing accuracy, clarity, and overall musical coherence 
  • Balanced and RCA Analogue Outputs - Ensures optimal system matching, whether using fully balanced Radia Series amplifiers or conventional line-level inputs.
  • ARCAM-Tuned via Blind Listening Tests - Combines objective accuracy with musical engagement, ensuring sound quality that is both technically precise and emotionally involving
  • Plastic free packaging - for easy disposal or natural materials

Specifications

Playback

Supported media: CD (Audio), CD-R (Audio / Data), CD-RW (Audio / Data)
Supported files (Data): WAV (LPCM), FLAC, MP3, AAC
Supported Bit depth: 16 bit – 24 bit
Supported sample rates (kHz): 96, 88.2, 48, 44.1, 32 kHz (WAV & FLAC only), 48, 44.1, 32 kHz (MP3/AAC)

Outputs

Digital Outputs: 2 (1 Optical, 1 Coaxial)
Analogue Outputs: 2 (1 RCA Pair, 1 XLR Pair)
Maximum Analogue Output (0dBFS, RCA/XLR): 2.2/4.4VRMS
Signal/Noise ratio (A-wtd, ref. 16-bit/24-bit, 0dBFS): 93dB/115dB
Frequency Response (default filter): 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.1 dB

General

Mains Voltage: 100–120V or 220–240V, 50/60 Hz
Maximum power consumption: 20 W
Standby power consumption: <0.5 W
Maximum ambient operating temperature: 35°C/95°F
Dimensions W x D (including speaker terminals) x H (including feet): 431 x 329 x 84 mm
Weight (net): 6.5 kg
Weight (gross): 9.5 kg
Supplied accessories:
Mains lead(s)
Remote control with 2 x AAA batteries
Quick Start Guide
Important Safety Instructions

Compare products

See how the CD25 compares to the CD5, the more affordable entry point into the Arcam Radia disc playback lineup.

Black Arcam CD5 CD Player front view

Arcam CD5 CD Player
Arcam CD25 CD player front view in black with slot-loading disc drive and OLED display

Arcam CD25 Compact Disc Player
Price $1,199 $2,499
Series position Entry-level Radia CD player Flagship Radia CD player
DAC chip ESS ES9018 (single chip) 2x ESS ES9039Q2M (dual-mono)
DAC architecture Single-chip, both channels processed together Dual-mono — one chip per channel, each in balanced mode
ESS technology ESS SABRE ESS Hyperstream 4
Voltage regulation Standard Dedicated ESS reference voltage regulator per DAC chip
Balanced XLR output No Yes (4.4V RMS)
RCA output voltage 2.1V RMS 2.2V RMS
Digital outputs Coaxial S/PDIF, Optical Toslink Coaxial S/PDIF, Optical Toslink
USB-A playback Yes (mass storage) No — disc only
Supported formats WAV, FLAC, MP3, AAC, WMA (up to 96kHz/24-bit) WAV, FLAC, MP3, AAC (up to 96kHz/24-bit)
Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.05dB 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB
SNR (24-bit) 115dB (A-weighted) 115dB (A-weighted)
Power supply Not specified Low-noise linear toroidal
Disc mechanism Standard Mounted on vibration-damping internal chassis
Max power consumption 12W 20W

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Arcam Radia CD25?

The Arcam Radia CD25 is Arcam's flagship CD player, built to mark the company's 50th anniversary and positioned at the top of the Radia Series with a dual-mono ESS Hyperstream 4 DAC architecture and low-noise linear power supply. The Arcam Radia CD25 is available at Trutone Electronics in Mississauga, Ontario.

What makes the Arcam Radia CD25's DAC design special?

The Arcam Radia CD25 uses two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips in a dual-mono configuration — one dedicated to each channel — each running in balanced mode with its own ESS reference voltage regulator and ESS Hyperstream 4 technology for reduced jitter and superior stereo separation.

What discs and formats does the Arcam Radia CD25 play?

The Arcam Radia CD25 plays standard CDs, CD-R, and CD-RW discs, and also reads data CDs containing WAV and FLAC files up to 96kHz/24-bit, plus MP3 and AAC files up to 48kHz.

Does the Arcam Radia CD25 support SACD?

The Arcam Radia CD25 does not support SACD and is designed exclusively for standard Compact Disc formats including CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and data discs with WAV, FLAC, MP3, and AAC files.

Can the Arcam Radia CD25 be used as a DAC for external sources?

The Arcam Radia CD25 does not have digital inputs and cannot function as a standalone DAC. Its coaxial and optical outputs do allow it to be used as a pure transport feeding an external DAC if needed.

What analogue outputs does the Arcam Radia CD25 have?

The Arcam Radia CD25 provides balanced XLR outputs at 4.4V RMS and unbalanced RCA outputs at 2.2V RMS, both with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB and a signal-to-noise ratio of 115dB.

How does the Arcam Radia CD25 compare to the Arcam CD5?

The Arcam Radia CD25 is a substantial step above the CD5, replacing its single ESS ES9018 DAC chip with a dual-mono design using two separate ESS ES9039Q2M chips, adding ESS Hyperstream 4, a linear toroidal power supply, a vibration-damped disc mechanism, and balanced XLR outputs.

How does the Arcam Radia CD25 fit into a Radia Series system?

The Arcam Radia CD25 is the primary disc source for a Radia Series system, with balanced XLR outputs pairing naturally with the A50 Signature and SA45 amplifiers, and RCA outputs connecting to the A25+ and SA35. The full Arcam Radia Series including the CD25 is available at Trutone Electronics in Mississauga, Ontario.

Does the Arcam Radia CD25 have built-in streaming?

The Arcam Radia CD25 does not have built-in streaming and has no network connection or Wi-Fi. Listeners who want to add streaming can pair it with the Arcam ST25 streamer or an SA-series integrated amplifier with built-in streaming.

Who is the Arcam Radia CD25 designed for?

The Arcam Radia CD25 is designed for listeners with substantial CD collections who want their discs played through genuinely high-end circuitry, and for Arcam Radia Series amplifier owners seeking a flagship balanced disc source. It is Arcam's most technically complete answer for anyone building a dedicated stereo system around physical media.