Yamaha CDR-HD1500 > Reviews (3)

I would not spend this much on a CD player ever again. When you're spending above £450 on a CD player, you're entitled to much more.

What the Yamaha CDR-HD1500 does, it does well: Yamaha is reliable, the hard disk capacity is an impressive 250 GB, and there's a built-in radio. The sound quality is impressive, but not life-changing. It's simple to use.

Apart from that I'm not really sure what you're paying for. Without MP3 playback, super CD playback or DAB technology, this model lacks the most up-to-the-minute features, and it's not even as if the design makes up for it. From a distance, the clunky (you can get much smaller systems) dull grey design resembles a VCR or one layer from a 1980s stacked sound system. Despite the considerable financial investment, the system is also fairly fragile - not shockproof at all.

I should stress that MP3 and super CD playback are features that most people can do without (although DAB will become essential in the UK over the next couple of years) - however, it is really stupid to pay this much and not get those features and standard. Get a cheaper, better-looking system and enjoy.