Top Ten Compact disc Gamers

Choosing a CD player depends on needs and budget.

Many different types of CD players are available on the market today. Some simply play CDs, while some are multimedia platforms able to play MP3s, DVDs and even Blu-ray discs. While CD players have lost some popularity for general music listening, recording artists and DJs still need high-quality CD players. Finding the perfect CD player for you depends on your needs and budget. Whatever your overall needs are, though, a number one priority for a CD player should always be quality sound performance.

Emotiva ERC-1

The Emotiva ERC-1 is one of the best CD players for these simple reasons: sound quality and a fairly low price point at under $400, compared to many CD players priced at over $900. Many users have found the clarity to be top notch compared with higher-priced players. It features two CD slot drives and a remote control that is highly recommended by users. This player comes with a five-year warranty in case any manufacturer issues arise.

Oppo BDP-83

The Oppo BDP-83 is a Blu-ray player first and foremost, but it also tops many users' lists for CD players. It can also play DVDs, making it a multimedia center, and claims to bridge the gap between DVDs and Blu-ray discs. The Oppo BDP-83 also supports Kodak picture discs and USB drivers. According to some reviewers, the versatility of this player outweighs any flaws that it may have. However, it does lack video streaming (such as Netflix) and costs more than $450, making it too expensive for some average music listeners. It's a good player for those looking for a CD player that does much more.

Yamaha CDC-697

Though the Yamaha CDC-697 doesn't include any extra media capabilities, it's a budget-friendly five-disc CD player with a sound quality above many others and is perfect for good music listening. Unlike some CD players, this one is also known for its durability and longer-than-average (seven-year) warranty. At under $200, the player meets most budgets and its only major flaw seems to be its lack of an earphone jack.

Pioneer PD-F407

The Pioneer PD-F407 is not just a single CD player but also a 25-disc jukebox system, making it perfect for party hosts and amateur DJs. The sound quality of the player is on par with other high-quality systems and the jukebox system allows for CD storage and less handling of the physical discs, which minimizes potential disc damage. While many multi-disc CD players sound loud and rough when changing discs, the Pioneer PD-F407 handles disc changes lightly, making minimal noise.

Wadia WT 2000

The Wadia WT 2000 is an older CD player that is still highly revered because of its high quality sound and trusted brand name. At more than $2,000, the Wadia is not for average music enthusiasts, making it more for professional musicians or DJs. Most that you'll find today are pre-owned but, even after more than 10 years, most are working perfectly, which is standard for this CD player. Long-lasting quality and performance is a large part in this model's popularity.

Forsell Air Reference MKII

The Forsell Air Reference MKII is a CD player for those who wish to mix old-school with new-school, as it's not just a CD player but a turntable as well. Also, the CD player doesn't try to be clear and crisp like other players (such as the Wadia) and is happy sounding heavy and closer to a record player. Anyone who listens to classic rock or who doesn't enjoy remastered works will like the raw sound this machine produces.

Teac CD RW880 CD Recorder

The Teac CD RW880 CD Recorder is a CD player and a CD recorder as well, making it perfect for amateur recording artists. Unlike many CD player/recorder combos, this system is highly rated because of its user-friendly interface. Consumers won't have to re-read the instruction manual 10 times to understand work the machine. Playback of both standard CDs and recordable CDs is clear and on par with other comparable players. The price is around $200.

Sony RCD-W500C 5-Disc Dual-Deck

The Sony RCD-W500C Five-Disc Dual-Deck is another player that offers a CD recorder as well. The trusted name brand makes it easy to find and less expensive than other players. It's also one of the best because it plays MP3s from discs, which makes a five-disc player go further because discs can hold many raw MP3s. The disc-changer is fairly quiet and is good for non-professionals who are listening to burning music for recreational uses.

Sony CD MegaStorage 300 Disc Changer

For those looking for a trusted name and who need a larger unit, the Sony CD MegaStorage 300 Disc Changer is a perfect combination of both. For many avid music lovers, 300 CDs is nearly an entire collection of music, which means you may never need to deal with jewel cases again. The disc changing is a little loud and learning use the machine may take a few reads of the manual. Scratched CDs may not play in this machine, as its reader is among the more sensitive out there.

Denon DCM-390 Five-Disc CD Changer

The Denon DCM-390 Five-Disc CD Changer is a higher-end multi-disc changer that not only plays standard CDs and MP3 files but also HDCDs and WMA (Windows Media Audio) files. Because the disc-changer rotates both clockwise and counter-clockwise, the change-time between discs is less than other players. Although the quality is highly rated, the one-year warranty makes the more than $300 price tag a risk for some buyers.

Old computer systems

Wednesday, January 29, 2014