AVM CS 30.3 Streaming CD Receiver

The AVM CS 30.3 is the all-in-one of AVM's 30.3 series: a slot-in CD drive, a streamer, a phono stage for MM and MC cartridges and a 2 x 125 W amplifier in one 430 mm wide aluminum housing. It replaces a stack of separate components, and its HDMI ARC input brings your TV into the same system.

AVM based the amplifier stages on its CS 8.3 and optimized them for this smaller housing. Add a pair of speakers and the CS 30.3 plays CD, streaming services, vinyl and TV sound.

Key Features of the AVM CS 30.3

• 125 Watts Per Channel: 2 x 125 W into 4 ohms, from amplifier stages AVM based on its CS 8.3.
• ESS 9038 Q2M DAC: Plays PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256.
• X-STREAM Engine Streaming: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect MAX, Qobuz, UPnP and internet radio, plus Bluetooth 5.0.
• Slot-In CD Drive: Plays CD Audio and CD-R discs to the Red Book standard.
• MM and MC Phono Input: 40 dB of gain for moving-magnet cartridges and 60 dB for moving-coil, with plug-in loading for MC.
• HDMI ARC: Your TV's sound plays through the CS 30.3 and your speakers.
• Headphone Output: A 6.3 mm jack on the front panel.
• App and Remote Control: AVM's RC X app for iOS and Android, or the included RC 3 aluminum remote.

Amplifier Stages Based on the CS 8.3

The power amplifier delivers 2 x 125 W into 4 ohms at 1% distortion, with an input sensitivity of 275 mV and a -3 dB frequency response from below 5 Hz to above 80 kHz. AVM rates its distortion below 0.005% and its signal-to-noise ratio above 95 dB.

The speaker outputs are gold-plated 4 mm banana jacks, so plan on speaker cables terminated with banana plugs. A regulated RCA preamp output connects a subwoofer, and an RCA line output feeds a recorder.

ESS 9038 Q2M DAC and the X-STREAM Engine

AVM redesigned the digital section of the CS 30.3 around a next-generation ESS converter, the 9038 Q2M. It plays PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256, and AVM's signal processing upsamples to 192 kHz/24-bit.

Streaming runs on the X-STREAM Engine, AVM's in-house software that updates online. It covers AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect MAX, Qobuz, UPnP and internet radio, with AVM's multiroom and party sync modes. The CS 30.3 connects by LAN or dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) and also has Bluetooth 5.0. The rear USB port reads hard drives and USB sticks formatted FAT16, FAT32 or NTFS.

Slot-In CD Drive and Digital Connections

The slot-in drive plays CD Audio and CD-R discs to the Red Book standard.

The coaxial digital input accepts up to 192 kHz/24-bit and the optical input up to 96 kHz/24-bit. The HDMI ARC input accepts up to 192 kHz/24-bit and carries stereo audio only, so set your TV to output PCM rather than Dolby or DTS. The coaxial and optical digital outputs can be switched to volume-controlled, and AVM recommends digital cables no longer than three meters.

Phono Input for MM and MC Cartridges

The phono input suits moving-magnet cartridges and loud to medium-loud moving-coil cartridges. Moving-magnet gain is 40 dB, with the load fixed internally at 47k ohms. Moving-coil gain is 60 dB.

For moving-coil loading, AVM includes pairs of RCA plugs at 100, 200 and 1,000 ohms that go into the LOAD input. When your cartridge maker gives no value, AVM suggests the 100 ohm plug. AVM rates RIAA accuracy within 0.2 dB and the signal-to-noise ratio above 83 dB(A) for MM and above 74 dB(A) for MC.

Tone Controls, Inputs and Display

Bass and treble each adjust from -6 to +6 dB, with a loudness setting, and the LINEAR setting switches the tone controls off. Bass and treble can apply to all inputs or only to the selected one, so you can lift the bass on a turntable without touching your other sources.

The CS 30.3 has two RCA line inputs, and AVM's source-fix function runs RCA 1 and RCA 2 at a fixed gain for a home theater processor, which then sets the volume. The front display is dimmable, with touchpoint sensors and a proximity sensor.

Silver, Black or Cellini Chrome

The CS 30.3 comes in brushed aluminum silver or black, or as the Cellini version with a chrome front. Like every AVM 30.3 component, it is built by hand at AVM's factory in Malsch, Germany, and each unit gets a break-in period of several days.

Who Is AVM?

AVM Audio Video Manufaktur has built hi-fi by hand in Germany since 1986, and its products are sold in more than 50 countries. The AVM 30.3 series is the entry point to AVM, below the Inspiration, Evolution and Ovation S lines.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

AVM CS 30.3 Specifications