CD Mega-Changers

[Geno]

I've been considering a Sony or Pioneer CD Mega-changer for my regular redbook CDs. I'm not interested in a network server, and I'd only use this item as a transport. I can't seem to find any reviews of the 300 -400 disc changers, so I'm asking all you audioholics out there, if you care to own up to using one of these things, has your experience has been good or bad?

 

[philh]

I've been considering a Sony or Pioneer CD Mega-changer for my regular redbook CDs. I'm not interested in a network server, and I'd only use this item as a transport. I can't seem to find any reviews of the 300 -400 disc changers, so I'm asking all you audioholics out there, if you care to own up to using one of these things, has your experience has been good or bad?

I have a 300 disk Sony changer and it works fine. Mine doesn't play MP3's. All eight groups are defined and sometimes tell it to random the entire stack of disks. Funny sitting outside in the summer time and hear holiday music start to play Or go from classical to the kids cRAP.

 

[Ax-man]

Geno, I have a couple of the Sony 300 disc changers daisy-chained (CDP CX-355's) and I really like mine. I've heard of some issues regarding sensitivity with these players but I haven't had any problems whatsoever with either one of my components, which I have had for over 2 years.

 

[20to20K]

I bought a...

...used Sony CDP-CX90ES (200 disks) off Ebay for about $125. It's their top of the line ES model that originally listed for $1200. Its worked great for me for the year that I've had it and the sound quality is better with redbook CD's than my Denon 2200 Universal (which surprised me). Not sure why the list price was so ridiculously high and I wouldn't have never paid that but for just over a C-note I can't complain.

Most people probably wouldn't recommend buying one of these used on Ebay, but it worked out great for me and saved me some $$$. I guess I got lucky (for a change).

The programming features are almost limitless and it links directly to my Minidisk to make recording very easy. I love mine.

 

[chrisw1]

I have had a Sony 400-disc CD changer (CDP-CX400) going on 5 years now and haven't had any issues with it. Mine even survived a move from Miami to Chicago and after unpacking it I was pleasantly surprised to find that the CD information was still in memory and all I had to do was reload the CDs back into the correct slot.

The audio quality is good using the optical Toslink connection and it has a lot of useful features for grouping and playback. It allows naming based on the slot that the CD occupies for each of the 400 discs and then up to 100 artist names can be entered and assigned to 1 or more CDs. The most useful feature of this model allows assigning CDs to one of eight groups which can then be selected for playback from just that one group. You can also daisy-chain up to 3 of these units for 1200 CDs.

One thing to be aware of is that mega-changer units are very deep. You need almost 22" of clearance to get this model to fit in a cabinet.

I have read that the newer Sony model (CDP-CX455) does not include some of what I consider to be the more useful features of its predecessor. The 8 groups have been replaced with something similar that only supports grouping by 8 artists. Also, you can now only daisy-chain 2 devices together. I have also read user reviews about the new unit scratching up CDs put into it.

In light of that I would really only recommend the older model which can still be found on ebay for under $100. I can't comment on any other models as I don't have any experience with them.

 

[deftech]

I have 400 and 200 disc sony mega changers and they have worked flawlessley. I like the artist mode on the 400. I can select the "tears for fears" or any other file, select shuffle play and enjoy for hours.