[Mittermeier]

SONY NE10/NE20 or Panasonic CT810/CT820.

EJ01 and CT570 are better，at the same time they are heavier. And it's more difficult to get a brand new EJ01 or CT570.

 

[veracocha]

Hi .. How is Panasonic CT580 ? How is the sq ??

 

[ronin74]

These players are still available from Sony (in Japan). I've got two D-NE20s (a primary and a backup--if the prime ever craps out).

 

[Sparky191]

I had a Panasonic CT700 which sounded woeful. It was the unit that brought me here.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

yup. the sl-ct700-730, 800-830 have horrible headphone-outs
dunno about the sl-ct580

 

[panigrahi]

It's been few years I have used a portable CD player. I have few of Panasonic and Sony CD / MP3 players. I never liked the Sony players. It seemed the player is always under some equilizer settings (Most resemblance is to Rock setting). Most of the times I thought the sound is veiled. The panasonics were my favorite players with clean and crisp sound. The difference is more apparent with good headphones. All of my players were top-of-the line products from Japan when I bought those with inline remotes. I would assume the CD players in US are similar to their Japanese models. Hope this helps.