Things To Consider When Buying A CD Player
A CD player isn’t much of a complex machine. However, you need to know the key parts of a player so you’re clear about what you’re looking for.
Digital-To-Analog Converter (DAC)
Since speakers are designed to only play an analog signal which means the digital information you can find on the CD has to be converted. While you’ll find a good DAC in most CD players, it is usually preferred by true audio fanatics to have an outboard DAC instead of the one inside the CD player.
Transport
A CD transport plays an important role in ensuring sound quality. It is the tray that spins and loads your CD while using a laser to read the information on it. You’ll find some CD players only have the transport system on them, without the built-in DAC. The outboard DAC is great at reading digital information with perfect accuracy, resulting in better sound quality and imaging.
Power Supply
Having a solid power supply is essential for any type of electronic device. When shopping for a CD player, make sure to get one that has a high-end variant and provides high currents with low noise power.
Recording Options
Most CD players have a synchronizing function that can help you record digitally with much ease. It gets the recording machine and the playback working simultaneously. If you’re someone who loves to not only listen to music but also make some of your own then this feature is something you should definitely be looking out for.
Built-in Speakers
If you’re looking to have a CD player that also doubles as a speaker then you might want to look into some that come with built-in speakers to save some space on your console.
Bluetooth Connectivity
We know the main purpose of a CD player is to play the CDs. However, there’s nothing wrong with ensuring that you also get bluetooth connectivity for times you might need it. While playing CDs is what you want the CD player for, we all know those discs aren’t as widely played as they used to. Hence, you need to make sure you have bluetooth connectivity.
Benefits Of A CD Player
Besides being able to let you listen to your audio in crystal clear quality, a CD player can do a lot more. Let’s take a look.
A CD player can be multi-functional. It doesn’t only play CDs but also your MP3 players and iPods like an all-in-one playing device. It can also give you better sound quality than a regular MP3 player might. Or even your smartphone. Moreover, you can save all your favourite music with more ease than you store your digital music. No having to worry about space on the Cloud or on your smartphone device.
You can also get a disc changer with your CD player, although most contemporary players already come with them. But this would mean being able to load more than one CD in the player at the same time and listening to more music than you thought possible. Seems too good to be true? Well, it’s not.
Types Of CD Players
Home CD Players
You’ll usually find this type of CD player as part of home theatre systems with a range of CD changers. But it is important to note that whenever you pick out a component CD player, there will rarely be any speakers included, which means you will have to manually attach speakers to the device in order to have any kind of audio playback.
Portable CD Players
When it comes to having music around no matter where you go, you need the portable CD players to always have your back. Although they might require headphones, they are extremely convenient and only a little bigger than the CD itself. All you need are some batteries and you are ready to take the music with you wherever you need to go.
Boombox
If you don’t know what a boombox is, that’s okay. Most people born after the 90s don’t. It essentially has two speakers connected to a CD player in between and looks pretty similar to a tiny stereo. All you need to power it are batteries or an electrical outlet.
Car CD Player
Cars today come equipped with CD players for you to slip your disc into and enjoy your ride. It’s usually just a small slit in the dashboard, less bulky than the normal CD players but it gets the job done pretty well.
Computer Disc Drive
You might not find many desktop or laptop computers with a disk drive today but they still do exist. You can easily play your media or even copy your files digitally onto the computer’s hard drive.
FAQs
How can I clean my CD player?
To clean your CD player, first take the disc out and turn off your device. The next step is to spray some compressed air on the front of the device to get rid of any dust. Then use a slightly damp cloth and clean the opening of the player and its surrounding until it’s good enough for you to lick salt off. Just kidding, don’t do that!
How can I clean my CD?
You need a damp paper towel to wipe the CD completely. You can also just wash it under a tap without any fear of ruining it. Once you’ve washed it, simply dry with a lint free cloth. But be careful not to rub vigorously or you’ll end up scratching your CD.
Do CD players require repairs?
Yes, CD players are just like any other machine. They need repairs and maintenance in order to function well. If your CD player is damaged then don’t lose all hope because chances are, the issue is pretty fixable.
How to take care of my CDs?
The first rule in taking care of any CD is to handle it carefully. The right way to hold it is by the outer edge or from the center. If you need to label them, then use a non-solvent based permanent marker. But be careful, when you’re not using them, they should be stored properly in their cases and well away from any dust.