The CD23 incorporates a unique digital to analogue conversion (DAC) system developed by a company based near Cambridge called dCS (Data Conversion Systems). They are a leading professional audio company of high repute. Their patented Ring DAC design has been adopted as a reference standard in many of the world’s best recording studios. dCS’s high performance studio solution is very expensive, but their technology was so elegant that we were determined to find a way to bring their system within reach of committed music lovers at a more affordable price. After many years of joint research and development, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, the project to generate a custom chip set for the Ring DAC was completed in 1998.

The first product that incorporated this custom chip set was the Alpha 9 CD player. This player has astonished the most experienced listeners in the hi-fi community and has been the subject of rave reviews from around the world. The goal of the FMJ team was to improve on this already superb player. To achieve this the CD23 has a new motherboard and a totally new power supply configuration. We have added a high quality toroidal transformer to supply the sensitive audio circuitry in the Ring DAC converter board. The player will also decode the latest HDCD discs. The extra rigidity provided by the precision machined 8 mm thick aluminium alloy front panel also contributes to a performance that is so assured you will find new life in even your oldest CDs.

What Hi-Fi?, June 2003
"The real news is just how good this flagship machine sounds...It's superbly built, and a pleasure to use."

Hi-Fi World, March 2003
"...if you want a jack of all trades and master of many for under £1200, I can think of no other machine which comes close."

Hi-Fi News, February 2003
"As a new purchase, the Arcam CD23 Text remains one of the finest CD players available up to £2000, and is worth a sincere recommendation."