The Integra CDC-3.4 is the high-end sister model of the Onkyo DX-C390 (which is far easier to find) and the improvement in sound quality is subtle but definitely noticeable...especially on 20-bit and/or 24-bit digitally remastered CDs While it would probably be unwise or inadvisable to compare the CDC-3.4 to single-disc CD players from esoteric and/or truly high-end brands costing far more I will say that the CDC-3.4 most certainly DOES offer far better sound quality than you would tend to expect from a component priced at less than $350.00.