CD Players

Though MP3 player docks  are climbing in popularity, CD players  remain the home speaker system of choice for audiophiles. Review the options below and research a few of the links, you're bound to find a quality system that suits your needs, budget and lifestyle. If you want a CD player for while you're on the go, checkout the personal CD players buying guide.

Boombox

Want to listen to music but don't want to spend a lot of money? Buy a simple boombox. They're small, lightweight, portable and let you play CDs, tapes and the radio for a fraction of the cost of a minisystem. Most come as a combination CD/cassette player  (sometimes with dual cassette for recording in larger models) with integrated speakers and AM/FM tuners. Here are some features:

  • Ability to record from CD to tape, or for dubbing from tape to tape on dual-deck models. 
  • Powered by either battery or an AC adapter 
  • Compact and lightweight and very user-friendly
  • Typically inexpensive with prices starting at around $50.
  • Check out some boomboxes and try these links: Sony Boombox,  Sleek Sony,  or this MP3 compatible Coby Boombox. 

All-in-one

Don't have a lot of space?  Try one of the super sleek, versatile, and moderately priced minisystems. This type of CD player features detachable speakers  and an optional single or dual-deck cassette player  and AM/FM tuner. Plus, they usually have a nice LCD screen and programability options for CDs, tuner, timers, and equalizer settings. Most models have:

  • Single-tray or a carousel that holds up to five CDs which is great for those who hate swapping discs
  • Integrated amplifier and sometimes a subwoofer as well.
  • The ability to record in the same way as on a boombox, between tapes and from CDs to tapes.
    • CD-R (writable CDs) and CD-RW (write and rewritable CDs) systems are becoming more popular.
  • MP3-compatible machines are becoming more popular with time, while the tape deck is going out of style.
  • Better sound quality than boomboxes, but average when compared to single component machines.
    • For better than average sound quality try out the cool vertical Phillips MCM240 s and the Yamaha MCR-E150. 
    • Sound quality is decent in small apartments, dorm rooms and offices. Raising the volume too high can lead to distortion.
  • Moderately priced and compact models for home use and priced in the $100-$500 range
  • Recommended: Yamaha TSX-15,  Yamaha Symbol MC-50 

Dual-tray CD player

These offer the ability to play and record from one CD to the other through CD-R and CD-RW technology.

  • One tray both plays and records while the other simply plays.
  • Single component: don't forget to factor in the cost of purchasing speakers,  subwoofers, etc.
  • Priced between $130-$700
  • Check out these models from the major name brands: Sony,  Denon 

Multidisk CD Changer

Do you have piles of overflowing CD cases? Go for one of the megastorage CD changer options.

  • They keep your music safe and organized.
  • You'll also have the ability to play a series of CDs one after the other or one at a time or shuffle between several CDs.
  • This vertical style CD changer can handle several hundred CDs, while horizontal style models usually hold 4 or 5 CDs.
  • Keep in mind that these models are single component systems and do not come equipped with an amplifier  or speakers. 

Technical Specs

  • Some CD players can only play music (burned or bought) in audio format whereas some can play CDs with MP3s burned on them.
    • If you burn a lot of CDs, make sure your player can read them.
    • A CD-R/RW can hold a lot more when burned with MP3s than with audio files.
  • Signal-to-Noise ratio measures how much floor noise there is with a player.  A high number signifies that there's not much noise beside that newfangled junk you call music.
  • D/A Converters change the digital music into an analog audio signal.
  • Connection Cables
    • Analog cables connect with wires labeled "left" and "right" to your speakers.  They're the default and the lowest quality.
    • Coaxial Digital Input/Output converts a digital signal into an analog one for the speakers.
      • While it looks like most RCA jacks, make sure the cable is designed for digital signals.
    • TOSLINK/Optical Line cables are the cleanest sound for about $20.
  • Frequency Response/Range tells you the frequency range that the player can transmit reliably.
    • This is audio equivalent of knowing how many colors your TV can project.
    • Typical people with undamaged hearing can hear 20Hz - 20 kHz.
      • If your player has a range larger than that, you're just showing off.
  • By now, most players will have the typical "shuffle," "repeat," and "skip" buttons that originally set CDs apart.  Have a blast.

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