The Article

X-CD9 CD PLAYER FROM ADVANCE PARIS

29th April 2026

Offering a full width yet low slung profile, Paul Rigby checks out this sub-£1k CD player with a valve built in

Released by the French company, this CD player features two valves – one per channel – old stock, military-style, Raytheon subminiature 5744 signal valves.

Both sit in the analogue output section, influencing sound quality rather than adding amplification.

My guess is that the valves have been included to polish the sound and reduce possible digital glare although these particular valves will not be as warm I think, as ECC88/12AU7s, for example. Just my guess.

WOLFSON DAC

The valves themselves act as a buffer after a Wolfson WM8762 DAC. Speaking of which, Wolfson DACs are so far out of fashion these days, they live in a different post code to most popular DAC chips but I like them a lot and welcome its inclusion.

Again, my guess is that Advance Paris wanted a smoother treble and midrange output and a slightly warmer sound than you might find from an ESS chip, for example. Hence the Wolfson choice.

Apart from that, expect to find the usual CD transport button controls on the front and the usual output screen at the centre. A valve window glows at you from the front. The rear also offers the usual connection suspects including a coax port. The welcome stand out is a pair of balanced outputs.

The front-mounted interface is easy to use and well laid out, the output window is clear and readable although the build quality could have been stronger and sturdier but I’ll forgive that if it sounds good.

Also the performance of the remote was…satisfactory. You will need a clear line of sight to the CD player from your sitting position.

How well does the box perform? Lets have a little listen.

SOUND QUALITY

Starting in single-ended mode. I began with my reference integrated Leema Elements, priced higher at around £1,400.

VS LEEMA ELEMENTS

In terms of information, the amount of detail delivered to the ear, the two boxes were similar in what they did. What was different was how that information was processed and delivered.

With built-in valves on show

I felt that the lead vocals via the X-CD9 provided an open and thus, more emotive performance.

Also, the cymbals and tambourine, pushed right to the rear of the mix, were delicate and fragile via the Advance Paris box. Bass was also rather focused and lean.

BALANCED MODE

I then switched from single-ended to balanced performance. From the off, I had to lower the gain by five or six clicks on my amplifier to find the same volume. From that point onwards, I thought the rest of the instrumentation fell more into line with the vocals.

That is, via single-ended mode, the lead vocals offered a focused, open and emotive performance. In balanced mode, everything else caught up and now also sounded open and focused and emotive. The acoustic guitar had a realistic metal stringed sound, cymbals were now even more delicate in their approach, more space was heard in between instruments while bass was full of character.

I also felt that the stereo image was rock solid and firmer than in single-ended mode.

VS AUDIOLAB 6000CDT

I finally compared the X-CD9 with my Audiolab 6000CDT transport and wholly expensive Benchmark DAC at a combined £2,500 or so. Just to see how the much lower cost Advance Paris unit coped.

Even so, the X-CD9 performed very well, surprisingly well considering the considerable difference in price. Sure, the Audiolab/Benchmark offered bass authority, low noise and improved tonal accuracy.

Even so, the sonic distance between this star duo and the X-CD9 under review was not that far. Especially considering that price difference. Put it this way, if I had to dump my Audiolab/Benchmark duo, I would have no problems at all living with the Advance Paris box as a silver-disc alternative.

CONCLUSION

At this point in my on CD playing experience, I had basically moved away from the integrated design experience. So enamoured I was by the transport DAC separates layout. But the X-CD9 has convinced me that there remains life in the trad integrated format. Such was the X-CD9’s sonic performance in this review.

I also like how the company has designed this box. The valves do add to the whole experience while the balanced outs are a sonic highlight. Speaking of which…

I would add one caveat, as good as the single-ended mode is, and it is very nice indeed, if you can use the X-CD9 in balanced mode only then I would heartily recommend that you use the facility as your default setting.

In balanced mode especially, the X-CD9 is a brilliant disc spinner.

ADVANCE PARIS X-CD9 CD PLAYER

Price: £890

Website: Website: Advance Paris Uk Retailer List: www.decentaudio.co.uk or www.advanceparis.com

GOOD: spacious midrange, focused bass, emotive presentation, balanced mode

BAD: build, remote sighting