The Onix XCD-50 brings a new class of performance from Onix.  Visually, it stands out as one of the most beautiful players on the market, with a case made of piano black laquered  wood!  It includes such touches as 24 karat gold OFC high performance CMC816 RCA terminal sockets, balanced XLR analog outputs, and balanced AES/EBU coaxial digital output.  Under the hood, the power supply uses R-Core "high grade silicon steel core" transformers made to Onix's specificatiosn.  To protect the audio circuitry the player uses two separate power transformers: one for the servo and digital system and another just for audio.  In addition, the power supply regulation on the audio circuit board automatically helps establish stable operation for the audio D/A converters.

Along with the XIA-160, it forms a complete front end that gives nothing up to world class cost-no-object systems.  Stereomojo's Marvin Bolden wrote:

"My initial impressions were the very low noise floor make the background dead quiet.  Less noise simply means more music and greater perceived dynamic range. Noise also causes fatigue over time, so what good is a system if after 30 minutes or so you feel like you don't want to listen to it any longer? The highs are clear with no grain or smear.  There was seamless transition from treble to midrange and from midrange to bass. The sound is fast and crisp with a death grip on the bottom end."

Read the full review here