Harman Kardon FL8380 5-CD Changer

• 5-disc CD player with play exchange
• Plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs
• Offers HDCD decoding as well as a coaxial digital-audio output
• Program up to 32 steps (tracks or discs)
• Includes full-function remote control and headphone jack with volume control

Comparing the FL8380 with a similarly priced DVD player will easily reveal the sonic benefits of a dedicated CD player. In our tests, even a higher-priced DVD player like Toshiba's HDCD-equipped SD3109 didn't match the FL8380. Think of it this way: a DVD player has a lot more on its plate than just reproducing audio; a CD player doesn't.

Another important factor in the quality of this machine is Harman Kardon itself, a company with a longstanding commitment to great sound. And with the FL8380, HK has halved the retail price of its predecessor, the esteemed FL8370. Operationally and sonically, this unit seems every bit as good as the FL8370, but if Harman Kardon is cutting any corners, it's hard to tell where they are.

The player gives you both analog and digital outputs; depending on the amplifier or receiver you're using this with, you may want to avail yourself of both. The analog outputs afford you the extra sonic quality of CDs encoded in HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital), while the coaxial digital-audio output facilitates hookup with an audio/video receiver or a CD recorder. (Please see our accompanying FAQ for more information on HDCD and digital-audio hookups.)

Discs like Blue Man Group's invigorating Audio showcase the dynamic prowess of both this player and the HDCD format. The FL8380 renders every last percussive assault with microscopic detail and all transients intact, showing what must be very close to the full range and power of the original analog recording.

Mechanically, the FL8380 is quieter than other CD changers, a definite boon when listening in close quarters. However, the analog audio output level is also quieter, possibly due to the HDCD chip, which grants extra dynamic range to HDCD-encoded recordings but requires that non-HDCD discs be reproduced slightly lower in level.

Harman asserts that the chip that decodes the HDCD data also improves the sound of standard CDs, but the level difference between this and other players foiled our attempts at comparisons. Take our word for it, though: this player sounds great, especially for a disc player (of any format!) in this price range.

The most convenient thing about a multidisc changer, apart from being able to listen to more than six hours of uninterrupted tunes, is the ability to listen to music radio-style, where the player jumps to a fresh track from a fresh disc after every song you hear. The good news is, the FL8380 offers not one but three random-play modes. The bad news? You can't program the unit to randomly switch discs after every song.

Here's how it works: Press the Random button once and the unit will play all the tracks on a given disc in random order (making sure not to repeat selections). Press the button twice and the player will play all five discs sequentially, randomly cycling through the songs on each disc before moving on to the next. Three presses of the button will make the player play two tracks from each disc, then do the same for another disc, and so on (again taking care not to repeat tracks).

You can't do a whole lot from the front panel, so take note if you don't like using remote controls (or if you're good at losing them). This unit does not offer A-B repeat, which is a convenient (if inessential) feature for looping a passage to decipher a lyric or a bit of between-song banter.

The bottom line remains, though, that this is a darn good CD player. Whether you're committed to stereo sound, maintaining a quality listening system as part your home theater, or putting together a good backroom system, the FL8380 is a great choice. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Great sound
• HDCD decoding
• Quality headphone jack with volume control
• Quiet mechanical operation
• Simple to set up and use
• Intuitive, full-function remote control
• Coaxial digital-audio output

Cons:

• Cross-disc random-play mode plays two tracks from each disc before switching to a new disc
• No optical digital-audio output
• Minimal feature controls from front panel (don't lose that remote!)