While a CD might seem like a thing of the past, it’s not the same thing for music lovers. For music lovers, there’s still something special about physically holding an album, admiring the work of art, and experiencing those lyrics in an audio quality that only a portable CD player can provide.
Although a larger part of the world may have moved on to more modern music formats, there are still music lovers who are loyal to their CD collections. And let’s be honest, some of you still have a collection of your favorite albums on disc, accumulating dust on your shelves.
However, that’s not “old-fashioned,” because we’re about to help you reignite the joy of spinning those discs. But this time, on a CD player! So, we’ll be discussing the best compact disc players and compact disc changers on the market today. Read on as we show you how to breathe new life into your disc library.
Table of Contents
Features to Look For in CD Players and CD Changers
There are three most important features you should consider when deciding which CD players or CD changers to buy.
DAC: DAC tops our list as one of the most essential features to look out for in your compact disc player. The DAC is the computer chip responsible for changing digital signals into physical sound. Therefore, a good DAC guarantees a good performance from your CD player.
Speakers: The second most critical thing you shouldn’t overlook are the speakers. Does the CD player have speakers? If they do, are they as large as you want? All these are questions you should ask yourself and consider to know whether or not you’re making the right choice.
Bluetooth: We cannot overemphasize the importance and beauty of Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can call this an added advantage because it allows you to connect across your smartphone, computer, or tablet. With a Bluetooth-enabled CD changer, you can also stream music and movies.
What Are The Best CD Players And CD Changers?
There are several compact disc players and changers on the market. But we have selected the best options for you.
1. KLIM Discman Portable CD Player
If you prefer a portable CD changer, go for the KLIM Discman. This walkman CD player is affordable, versatile, and loaded with fantastic features you will love. Additionally, it is compatible with WMAs, SD cards, MP3s, CDs, CD-RWs, and CD-Rs. So it can work well for your home and car.
Furthermore, the KLIM Discman boasts of a non-detachable long-lasting battery for continuous playback and five EQ effects for impressive and customized listening. Its headphones are very large and comfy, which allows you to listen to music for long hours.
Overall, we love that this CD changer provides topnotch value at an affordable price. And its portability makes it a must-have for every music lover.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Built-in battery
- Compatible with different audio formats
Cons
- You may find it difficult to navigate the controls.
Read this article: How to Choose and Install Speaker Wire Connectors
2. Teac PD 301
With a compact size of 8.5 inches (in width) by 9 inches (in length) by 2 inches (in height), Teac PD 301 is one of the best CD players/changers you should go for. Its excellent music quality and minimalistic built-in features make up for its elegant appearance.
Furthermore, it is small in size and has sleek metal sides, which makes it a striking feature anywhere you position it. This plug-and-play CD player features a fast-loading slot-in drive, making it easy and effective to change discs once it is set up.
With Teac PD 301, you can play various file formats like CD-RW discs, CD-R discs, and MP3 and WMA files on CD. It also has a USB port that supports WAV, AAC, MP3, and WMA files alongside playback capabilities.
To produce an excellent product, TEAC focused on enhancing the supporting hardware. This allowed it to minimize the signal-to-noise ratio to an astounding 105 dB. So, you’re guaranteed of superb sound quality. This model also supports analog and digital outputs.
Pros
- Compact and elegant design
- User-friendly controls
- It includes TEAC tray-loader
- Supports the following audio formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV
- Includes USB and FM antenna inputs/outputs
Cons
- Not wireless
- Can be hard to read display sometimes
- Supports only 1 disc
3. Jensen Portable CD Player
The Jensen portable CD player has long been known to be synonymous with top quality and excellent performance. It enables you to enjoy uninterrupted listening to your choicest music with 60 seconds of anti-skip protection.
Additionally, it features an FM radio and a bass boost to make things even better. Again, the Jensen portable CD player includes stereo earbuds that are generously sized for your comfort.
And the most interesting part? This CD changer model is very affordable. So, you can get it without going above budget.
Pros
- Includes a bass boost and FM radio
- 60 seconds anti-skip protection
Cons
- It may be hard for you to read the guidelines.
4. Tascam CD-200BT
This compact disc player is primarily used on a professional audio rack. And it’s a fantastic, robust choice for a Bluetooth-enabled compact disc player. It is long-lasting, just like the majority of rackmount equipment.
Furthermore, it would interest you to know that the CD-200BT model lacks a flashy digital interface and has a sturdy black metal casing. Instead, this model has a user-friendly remote control and large plastic buttons.
The Tascam CD-200BT player includes a single CD slot that it supports alongside mounting hardware, which protrudes on either side, so you can understand if it’s positioned securely. Meanwhile, numerous user-friendly built-in features are included with the CD-200BT model.
A stand-out feature we like is the 10-second playback shock protection—it retains 10 seconds of music data to guarantee that playback will be uninterrupted by an accidental bump.
Moreso, the ability of this CD player to connect up to eight Bluetooth-enabled devices at once and facilitate seamless transitions between them as needed is another well-liked feature.
Single, program, continuous, and shuffle playback modes are all available on this CD changer model. Though it doesn’t stand out as some of its competitors, the CD-200BT’s signal-to-noise ratio of 90 dB is still reputable. If you want an elegant, long-lasting compact disc player that can play WAV or MP3 files, this is a great model.
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless (Bluetooth)
- Built-in 10-second shock protection
- Supports these audio formats: MP2, MP3, WAV
- It has a long-lasting and sturdy build
- AUX and headphone jack are the supported inputs/outputs
Cons
- Not-so-attractive design
- No USB support
- There are no cables included
Bottom Line
One thing is certain: the compact disc is not old-fashioned. In fact, it’s one of the most valued possessions of a true music lover because it delivers a different listening experience that cannot be compared with streaming songs on MP3 downloads.
In this guide, we’ve looked at various players and changers with unique performance, features, and capabilities. So, there’s a perfect option for every listener’s preferences and needs.
Now, dust off those CD collections in your shelves, get yourself one compact disc player/changer from our selection and treat yourself to a wonderful listening experience.