CD Player Needed - Single vs. Multi-Disc?

[sonicman]

Hello again - I've been buying CD players since 1984 starting out w/ single-discs machines (Yamaha & NAD), then switched over to multi-disc players (usually bought locally at first); more recently, I purchased from Crutchfield online, first a Denon (which malfunctioned w/i months), replaced w/ a Yamaha DV-C6860 5-disc DVD/CD changer, which is now over 2 y/o (warranty 1 yr) - over the last few months, this machine is beginning to malfunction mainly in loading/opening the carousel - if a disc is loaded, playing has been fine, but I believe the transport mechanism is just going to stop working completely soon.

Now, I've probably gone through a half dozen or so of these multi-disc players, and all after 2-3 years seem to just stop functioning - typically the mechanics of the transport system. So, I'm here to ask the 'experts' first if there is a multi-disc CD (or CD/DVD) player that just is manufactured to higher standards than these machines seemingly made w/ just plastic components? And second, which single-disc players seem to 'hold up' the best - SACD is not an issue for me - I like the convenience of a multi-disc player, but having to replace these often is becoming frustrating. Budget < $500 - thanks for all and any suggestions - Dave

 

[lsiberian]

Hello again - I've been buying CD players since 1984 starting out w/ single-discs machines (Yamaha & NAD), then switched over to multi-disc players (usually bought locally at first); more recently, I purchased from Crutchfield online, first a Denon (which malfunctioned w/i months), replaced w/ a Yamaha DV-C6860 5-disc DVD/CD changer, which is now over 2 y/o (warranty 1 yr) - over the last few months, this machine is beginning to malfunction mainly in loading/opening the carousel - if a disc is loaded, playing has been fine, but I believe the transport mechanism is just going to stop working completely soon.

Now, I've probably gone through a half dozen or so of these multi-disc players, and all after 2-3 years seem to just stop functioning - typically the mechanics of the transport system. So, I'm here to ask the 'experts' first if there is a multi-disc CD (or CD/DVD) player that just is manufactured to higher standards than these machines seemingly made w/ just plastic components? And second, which single-disc players seem to 'hold up' the best - SACD is not an issue for me - I like the convenience of a multi-disc player, but having to replace these often is becoming frustrating. Budget < $500 - thanks for all and any suggestions - Dave

First I want to address the misconception that plastic is an inferior less durable substance. If it where so inferior they wouldn't be building planes and other things out of it. Of course there are different levels of quality with composites just as there are with metals. I think your best bet to finding reliability data is consumer reports. You usually do get what you pay for. Remember that. My parents have had their sony ever since I can remember with no issues. However cd players are very simple and easy to repair in most cases. So at least take it apart and give it a go.

 

[chas_w]

I've been looking around a bit too. Though I have no experience with them, the Marantz 5-disk player has a 3-year factory warranty.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/1860.asp

 

[jamie2112]

I would recommend oppo for SQ alone: http://www.oppodigital.com/

 

[sonicman]

First I want to address the misconception that plastic is an inferior less durable substance. If it where so inferior they wouldn't be building planes and other things out of it. Of course there are different levels of quality with composites just as there are with metals. I think your best bet to finding reliability data is consumer reports. You usually do get what you pay for. Remember that. My parents have had their sony ever since I can remember with no issues. However cd players are very simple and easy to repair in most cases. So at least take it apart and give it a go.

Well, thanks for the response - don't want to debate the quality of plastics since there are different types and of variable quality; the flimsiness of the trays & their design is the issue for me. I'm pleased that your parent's Sony CD player has held up - they are indeed LUCKY! That has not been my experience w/ multiple CD multi-changers of different brands and models, and all were in the 'middle' price range - these machines are just not that reliable from a mechanical aspect, at least in my experience -

 

[sonicman]

I've been looking around a bit too. Though I have no experience with them, the Marantz 5-disk player has a 3-year factory warranty.

Thanks for the recommendation - I've reviewed that player and indeed like the 3-yr warranty - would love to look @ the carousel tray - these all seem to be similar in their quality but w/ that warranty, Marantz must have some confidence in their design - will add to my potential list of replacements - thanks again - Dave

 

[sonicman]

I would recommend oppo for SQ alone: http://www.oppodigital.com/

Jamie - I've not even heard to this brand, but will check out the specs and the prices from your link - thanks for introducing me to a different company - Dave

 

[jostenmeat]

A post of mine from half a year ago:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=450442&postcount=3

 

[skizzerflake]

I have a roundabout recommendation for a Sony 5 disc player, which seems to be pretty much the same as it was 15 years ago. I bought one back then and has functioned as a medium-duty living room player ever since then. The sound is fine, the thing just keeps playing and the only time it ever malfunctioned was once when it jammed completely. I figured that it was dead but wanted to rescue the cds, so I pried the drawer open with a screw driver, yanked the discs out leaving the drawer open. For the heck of it, I tried plugging it in again and used main force to close the drawer. Then I pushed the Open button, which WORKED! I put in a throw-away CD and it played. I opened and closed it a bunch of times and it has been in service since then (a year ago). This thing is like a tank. Sony still makes one that looks just like it.

 

[WmAx]

I have inspected the insides of a few 5 disc changers, including a modern Yamaha DVD univeral player, Panasonic and RCA(really cheap!). The modern Marantz have more substantial, heavier changer mechanical internals and operate more smoothly, compared to the others, by a substantial degree, and seem to use better parts and construction over all inside. I now use a Marantz 5 disc CD player and could not be happier with it. I think accessories4less still has that model for about $180 factory refurbished; a big savings over buying it 'new'. It is a really high quality piece of kit. It also looks really sharp, using a considerable solid metal front, as opposed to the cheezy plastic fronts with 'simulated metal look' on most of the other players out there. Yamahas and Pioneers especially love to use that simulated metal looking plastic.

-Chris

 

[sonicman]

I have a roundabout recommendation for a Sony 5 disc player, which seems to be pretty much the same as it was 15 years ago. I bought one back then and has functioned as a medium-duty living room player ever since then. The sound is fine, the thing just keeps playing and the only time it ever malfunctioned was once when it jammed completely. I figured that it was dead but wanted to rescue the cds, so I pried the drawer open with a screw driver, yanked the discs out leaving the drawer open. For the heck of it, I tried plugging it in again and used main force to close the drawer. Then I pushed the Open button, which WORKED! I put in a throw-away CD and it played. I opened and closed it a bunch of times and it has been in service since then (a year ago). This thing is like a tank. Sony still makes one that looks just like it.

LOL - I've had a number of Sony 5-disc changers and ran into problems described before - always a mechanical issue w/ the carousel; I never 'opened' one up - decided that if I could figure out if a damaged part was present that a replacement might be just to hard to find - probably not that complicated inside since most of these machines seem to be 'light as a feather' - however, yesterday I did get the carousel to come in and out, did some turning of the plastic wheel, and the machine work OK all afternoon - as usual, an intermittent issue until it just stops functioning. Thanks -

 

[sonicman]

I have inspected the insides of a few 5 disc changers, including a modern Yamaha DVD univeral player, Panasonic and RCA(really cheap!). The modern Marantz have more substantial, heavier changer mechanical internals and operate more smoothly, compared to the others, by a substantial degree, and seem to use better parts and construction over all inside. I now use a Marantz 5 disc CD player and could not be happier with it. I think accessories4less still has that model for about $180 factory refurbished; a big savings over buying it 'new'. It is a really high quality piece of kit. It also looks really sharp, using a considerable solid metal front, as opposed to the cheezy plastic fronts with 'simulated metal look' on most of the other players out there. Yamahas and Pioneers especially love to use that simulated metal looking plastic.

Hi Chris - thanks for your instructive post; I presumed that some of these changers had more substantial 'inwards' than others. The Marantz was recommended earlier in this thread w/ the stipulation that a 3-year warranty is part of the deal (assume that would only be w/ a new and not 'refurbished' machine?). I'm definitely goin' to put that one on my list and look around for some good prices - would like that 3-year warranty, which would have gotten me another machine (probably a refurb) - Dave

 

[Geno]

I had a Sony carousel for 20 years that never failed. One thing to consider if you're looking at 'universal' players (that play DVDs as well as CDs), is that CD -only players let you program 'shuffle' play for all songs on all discs in the carousel, but 'universal' players don't. That was a big deal for me when I used my carousel.

 

[sonicman]

I had a Sony carousel for 20 years that never failed. One thing to consider if you're looking at 'universal' players (that play DVDs as well as CDs), is that CD -only players let you program 'shuffle' play for all songs on all discs in the carousel, but 'universal' players don't. That was a big deal for me when I used my carousel.

Geno - thanks for your response; I love 'universal' players - my DVD player can do CDs/MP3 which is a great option! I understand your suggestion about programming - I listen to mainly classical music, so usually just pop in multiple CDs and want to listen to them from start to finish, so 'shuffling' is not a big issue w/ me.

 

[BobSD]

Sometimes all your Cd player may need is a cleaning, I took mine in and its like new again. It started to have trouble reading computer generated disc, which I have lot of. Dust is a real enemy of components.

I second that on Sony, I have the recorder player five disc - RCD-W500C, theyhave been making that for many years. Only one try comes out at a time and you can readily see what playing and what other trays have CDs in them , and you can open other trays and reload or remove Cds with out interupting the playing Cd. It also read script if thats important. Most of my Cds are scripted. Oh it only goes for around $350.

A friend came over and tried to get me interested in a $3,000 single play Cd player and I did not notice any improvement over my Sony. If there was it was not enough to warrant that much cash!

 

[davidtwotrees]

With all the time and money you've invested, you could own a music server. Since I bought one I would never go back to manually handling media. Never.
Also, the only multi play cd players I've owned were of the non carousel type. Pioneer Elite with the 6 cd cartridges. Some people claim that they scratch cds, but I never had a prob with them in that regard, and mine all took a licking and kept on ticking. They are a dime a dozen on ebay.

 

[jasonstilwell]

Here is a question

How often do you like to get up from the couch while listening to music?

 

[sonicman]

Again, thanks all of their responses - I actually 'tweaked' the wheel under the tray and the player has worked fine since my last post, hence my delay. So, I'll see 'what' happens over the next few months -

 

[mnnc]

Hello again - I've been buying CD players since 1984 starting out w/ single-discs machines (Yamaha & NAD), then switched over to multi-disc players (usually bought locally at first); more recently, I purchased from Crutchfield online, first a Denon (which malfunctioned w/i months), replaced w/ a Yamaha DV-C6860 5-disc DVD/CD changer, which is now over 2 y/o (warranty 1 yr) - over the last few months, this machine is beginning to malfunction mainly in loading/opening the carousel - if a disc is loaded, playing has been fine, but I believe the transport mechanism is just going to stop working completely soon.

Now, I've probably gone through a half dozen or so of these multi-disc players, and all after 2-3 years seem to just stop functioning - typically the mechanics of the transport system. So, I'm here to ask the 'experts' first if there is a multi-disc CD (or CD/DVD) player that just is manufactured to higher standards than these machines seemingly made w/ just plastic components? And second, which single-disc players seem to 'hold up' the best - SACD is not an issue for me - I like the convenience of a multi-disc player, but having to replace these often is becoming frustrating. Budget < $500 - thanks for all and any suggestions - Dave

I have a Yamaha dvd-c750 that reviewed quite well here among other webzines. It is as close to mint as possible and is available. Chgo36 here has voiced interest but no check in the mail yet...thus...first come, first served. Send me a pm...we'll talk. Unit comes with original box, remote, and manual just as it was when purchased new. Never any problems minus some really bad netflix discs. List $350+ new. Btw, my price is a steal.