Portable CD player.

Nov 8, 2015 at 9:51 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 22

nuraman00

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I'm looking for a used portable CD player.
 
I'm looking for:
 
* Digital optical out
* Uncompressed anti-skip
* Good headphone out
 
I was about to get a Sony DE561.
 
But then I stumbled upon this thread:
 
How does anti shock work? compromises music?
 
Which explained that 40 second anti-shock compresses music.
 
I then looked into a Sony D-ej1000.
 
But there were several complaints about the poor sound quality in headphone out.  Also, the instruction manual wasn't very clear whether its G-protection was uncompressed.  It's a little vague.  See page 13:
 
https://docs.sony.com/release/DEJ1000.PDF
 
I then looked into a Panasonic CT-570.
 
But then I found out the US version doesn't have optical out.  And, I can't find it anywhere either.
 
I then looked into a iRiver SlimX 550.
 
Had digital optical out, settings for both uncompressed anti-skip and compressed anti-skip.
 
Good reviews for the headphone out.
 
Only problem is that I can't find one anywhere.
 
I can find the 350 model, but it doesn't have optical out.
 
Does anyone have any recommendations for a used player that meets the above criteria, and can be found?  I've spent at least 4 hours researching models today.
 
Nov 9, 2015 at 11:56 AM Post #2 of 22
The issue with buying a used CD player is that the laser is likely to be the first thing that degrades on the player. I guess the laser is probably good for only around 2000 or so hours? Then the other mechanical parts degrade as well. If the unit uses a belt, the belt might become faulty over time(dried out?) even if the player isn't used. Imo it isn't worth getting a portable CD player now. There were few made with an optical output, so the ones you will find are likely to be expensive. 
 
Nov 9, 2015 at 8:29 PM Post #3 of 22
  The issue with buying a used CD player is that the laser is likely to be the first thing that degrades on the player. I guess the laser is probably good for only around 2000 or so hours? Then the other mechanical parts degrade as well. If the unit uses a belt, the belt might become faulty over time(dried out?) even if the player isn't used. Imo it isn't worth getting a portable CD player now. There were few made with an optical output, so the ones you will find are likely to be expensive. 

 
You are right in that.  While not a music player, I went through 2 refurbished PS2's in a 5 year span, because the laser stopped reading discs.  Meanwhile, my Nintendo and Super Nintendo still work fine, and I can play them the 1-2 times a year that I do, without any hassle.
 
Still though, I'd like a few suggestions other than ones mentioned in this thread, and I'll deal hunt to see if I can find a good deal.  If I can't, I won't get one.
 
 
Right now, the one that comes the closest to meeting my criteria, and is available, is the Sony D-ej1000.  But there's so many complaints about the headphone out from different people.
 
Those prefer Panasonic or iRiver.  But I can't find these latter ones, with digital optical out, available anymore.
 
Nov 10, 2015 at 9:36 PM Post #5 of 22
The Panasonic CT570 has great sound quality. I had some of them years ago.
 
Nov 13, 2015 at 6:58 PM Post #7 of 22
How do you think the headphone out would sound on a portable DVD player, such as the Panasonic DVD-LS93?
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-PANASONIC-PORTABLE-DVD-CD-PLAYER-DVD-LS93-W-BAG-PERFECT-X-MASS-GIFT-/351578316011?hash=item51dbb35ceb:g:A-YAAOSwZVhWRjtz
 
Nov 13, 2015 at 9:46 PM Post #8 of 22
Sony d-ne10 and d-ej715 are some models that I use as digital out but i'mnot sure about the uncompressed part in these discmans. Although I can say that the 715 model is way too bassy.
 
Nov 13, 2015 at 10:24 PM Post #9 of 22
Sony d-ne10 and d-ej715 are some models that I use as digital out but i'mnot sure about the uncompressed part in these discmans. Although I can say that the 715 model is way too bassy.

 
Thank you for your help.
 
I'm finding several D-EJ715's.
 
The G-protection on those are either off or on.
 
https://docs.sony.com/release/DEJ715.PDF
 
Thanks for your thoughts on the sound of that one.
 
The d-ne10 has a setting for G protection 1 or G protection 2.  G protection 1 is uncompressed.
 
How did you like the headphone out sound on the d-ne10? 
 
I can only find one, and it's a few hundred dollars.  So if I want that one, I'll have to wait for someone to offer it at a lower price.
 
Others have good reviews of the D-EJ2000's sound, but I can only find one right now, and it's in worn down condition.  So I'll have to wait for another one.
 
Nov 18, 2015 at 5:16 PM Post #10 of 22
Someone is selling a Japanese Panasonic sl-ct810 .
 
The Japanese version had optical out, while the US version didn't.
 
I asked for a picture of the optical out port.
 
Here is what the seller sent.  I'm not sure, is this it (the 2nd picture I think)?  The glowing red port in the right of the 2nd pic.
 

 

 
 
 
Thank you.
 
Apr 3, 2016 at 2:38 PM Post #13 of 22
Updating this thread.
 
I ended up getting the used Panasonic sl-ct810  from post # 10 in mid-November.
 
I love the sound of it.  It's easily my best sounding CD player ever, I didn't know they could vary that much.  It has a great headphone out.
 
There's also 2 additional bass boost modes in the sound equalizer.  I do like the bass boost 1 (S-XBS).  But when I was head-to-head comparing which headphone to buy, out of 3, in 2014, I did all of my listening testing without an equalizer.  So in a sense, a part of me doesn't want to change the sound now, because I had made my decision based on how they all sounded naturally without an equalizer.  This CD player still sounds great with no equalizer too.
 
I hope that if the laser lens ever stops working, I can get it replaced.  Because who knows if I'll be able to find this player again.
 
Apr 3, 2016 at 9:57 PM Post #15 of 22
I think we are the only one in the discman era!

This doesn't have optical but sounds good to this date.

 
Cool, thanks for the recommendation on your model.  How long have you had it?  How long is the anti-skip, and is it compressed or uncompressed or does it offer both modes?
 
I do have an mp3 player too, but when I want to listen in a quiet environment at home with an emphasis on quality, then I use my cd player.
 
I did also take it somewhere a week ago when I was out during the day, and had my small backpack with me.  So it's portable enough to fit in there.
 

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