CD Player

[Gordon2903]

Hi
Looking for advice on good quality CD player with guaranteed cd-r compatibility, first time every time.

My entire CD collection is on cd-r, I compile to Red Book Audio Standard using the best quality discs I can find, ripping original CDs to WAV or downloading WAV files from Quobuz

I'm a "compilation" guy, preferring my own selections to commercial offerings. CD burning gives me the optimum quality available at present.

So I've already had issues with a brand new Cambridge CXC transport, ( cd-r and rw compatible) which would read one disc, then fail to read next one. Cd-r only, I don't use rw. But figure any machine that says rw compatible should read a cd-r no problems. Got fed up, sold it bought new Arcam CD5, again cd-r and rw compatible. Exactly same issues, will read one disc, then not the next one. Now you're thinking I'm not making proper Red Book discs, but I am. Have an old Arcam CD72 which by the way doesn't claim to support cd-r yet I can get it to read every cd-r I make, without fail. Problem with it is it suffers from "jitter" after around 30/40 mins playtime.

So my discs are properly compiled but two modern players are very fussy about which ones they'll read, if at all

Anyone out there regularly using cd-r and got a quality CD player that plays them first time, every time, with no playback or read issues

Thanks, in anticipation

 

[twinkletoes]

Hi
Looking for advice on good quality CD player with guaranteed cd-r compatibility, first time every time.

My entire CD collection is on cd-r, I compile to Red Book Audio Standard using the best quality discs I can find, ripping original CDs to WAV or downloading WAV files from Quobuz

I'm a "compilation" guy, preferring my own selections to commercial offerings. CD burning gives me the optimum quality available at present.

So I've already had issues with a brand new Cambridge CXC transport, ( cd-r and rw compatible) which would read one disc, then fail to read next one. Cd-r only, I don't use rw. But figure any machine that says rw compatible should read a cd-r no problems. Got fed up, sold it bought new Arcam CD5, again cd-r and rw compatible. Exactly same issues, will read one disc, then not the next one. Now you're thinking I'm not making proper Red Book discs, but I am. Have an old Arcam CD72 which by the way doesn't claim to support cd-r yet I can get it to read every cd-r I make, without fail. Problem with it is it suffers from "jitter" after around 30/40 mins playtime.

So my discs are properly compiled but two modern players are very fussy about which ones they'll read, if at all

Anyone out there regularly using cd-r and got a quality CD player that plays them first time, every time, with no playback or read issues

Thanks, in anticipation

Your guess will be as good as anyone else's here — all we can really do is look at the specs and make a judgement based on that.

I will say this though: I’ve yet to come across a DVD player that can’t play CD-Rs. Most of them use computer-style drive mechanisms. They’re a dime a dozen on eBay and can be bought for as little as £10, and some of them are actually very good CD players in their own right.

Pioneer made some of the best disc spinners back then. I owned the 565A and it played everything, including CD-Rs and SACDs. It’s worth a shot, won’t cost the earth, and if you already own an outboard DAC it will make a perfect transport

or if you own a decent blu ray player try that first

 

[Revolutions]

My Leema Elements cd player works well with non-red book.

I wouldn’t recommend doing anything illegal to make compilation CDs if I were you.

 

[matthewpianist]

If you're creating compilations out of WAV files, why bother with CD-Rs of them? Why not stream them from a local hard drive instead, and add the flexibility of playlists?

 

[Integralista]

Hi
Looking for advice on good quality CD player with guaranteed cd-r compatibility, first time every time.

My entire CD collection is on cd-r, I compile to Red Book Audio Standard using the best quality discs I can find, ripping original CDs to WAV or downloading WAV files from Quobuz

I'm a "compilation" guy, preferring my own selections to commercial offerings. CD burning gives me the optimum quality available at present.

So I've already had issues with a brand new Cambridge CXC transport, ( cd-r and rw compatible) which would read one disc, then fail to read next one. Cd-r only, I don't use rw. But figure any machine that says rw compatible should read a cd-r no problems. Got fed up, sold it bought new Arcam CD5, again cd-r and rw compatible. Exactly same issues, will read one disc, then not the next one. Now you're thinking I'm not making proper Red Book discs, but I am. Have an old Arcam CD72 which by the way doesn't claim to support cd-r yet I can get it to read every cd-r I make, without fail. Problem with it is it suffers from "jitter" after around 30/40 mins playtime.

So my discs are properly compiled but two modern players are very fussy about which ones they'll read, if at all

Anyone out there regularly using cd-r and got a quality CD player that plays them first time, every time, with no playback or read issues

Thanks, in anticipation

Hi, you may try to use your trusty Arcam CD 72 as CD mechanic and add some dac. It may help. If use some good DVD, look for Oppo. They were class in their class. But they are not cheap even as used ones. BR.

 

[matthewpianist]

Hi, you may try to use your trusty Arcam CD 72 as CD mechanic and add some dac. It may help. If use some good DVD, look for Oppo. They were class in their class. But they are not cheap even as used ones. BR.

A different DAC won't make any difference at all to the capability of the CD player to read the CD-R - that is down to the transport.

 

[Gray]

...But figure any machine that says rw compatible should read a cd-r no problems.

I think you're right to figure that Gordon

Have an old Arcam CD72 which by the way doesn't claim to support cd-r yet I can get it to read every cd-r I make, without fail. Problem with it is it suffers from "jitter" after around 30/40 mins playtime.

Which, of course proves that it's not really compatible.

Anyone out there regularly using cd-r and got a quality CD player that plays them first time, every time, with no playback or read issues

Can only say that my 'RW compatible' Marantz CD600KI has no problem with CDR.
My old Sony 561E was hit and miss with CDR, yet now seems to work well with the ones I make - which they say is the Orange book standard when dealing with recordable CD.

My Philips CD recorder is designed to work with those specific 'for audio' discs - but the only difference with those is that they tell the recorder that you've paid a premium for the disc....to make it more legal to make bit-for-bit copies of commercial CDs 🙄

 

[Integralista]

A different DAC won't make any difference at all to the capability of the CD player to read the CD-R - that is down to the transport.

OK, than I think action you proposed with hard drive or some reliable storage is better. To buy some "special" new CD plazer just to play RW CDs is not. I have still at home some results of experiment with recording of Burmester show disc (music selection), we made CD copy 1, than CD copy 2 (from CD copy 1) and so on.... Even copy One was possible to identify on my CD player that time (Pioneer PD 95 "dynosaur") from original. This old Pioneer was also eating "anything" played on him. I replaced him with Rega Jupiter 2000. Rega has had better sound but problems with RW, CDs with some media data etc. BR.

 

[JoelSim]

Hi
Looking for advice on good quality CD player with guaranteed cd-r compatibility, first time every time.

My entire CD collection is on cd-r, I compile to Red Book Audio Standard using the best quality discs I can find, ripping original CDs to WAV or downloading WAV files from Quobuz

I'm a "compilation" guy, preferring my own selections to commercial offerings. CD burning gives me the optimum quality available at present.

So I've already had issues with a brand new Cambridge CXC transport, ( cd-r and rw compatible) which would read one disc, then fail to read next one. Cd-r only, I don't use rw. But figure any machine that says rw compatible should read a cd-r no problems. Got fed up, sold it bought new Arcam CD5, again cd-r and rw compatible. Exactly same issues, will read one disc, then not the next one. Now you're thinking I'm not making proper Red Book discs, but I am. Have an old Arcam CD72 which by the way doesn't claim to support cd-r yet I can get it to read every cd-r I make, without fail. Problem with it is it suffers from "jitter" after around 30/40 mins playtime.

So my discs are properly compiled but two modern players are very fussy about which ones they'll read, if at all

Anyone out there regularly using cd-r and got a quality CD player that plays them first time, every time, with no playback or read issues

Thanks, in anticipation

Just stream Qobuz and make playlists. And save yourself a ton of cash, time, effort and palaver.

 

[Gordon2903]

Just stream Qobuz and make playlists. And save yourself a ton of cash, time, effort and palaver.

I much prefer to buy and own my music on a permanent basis, as opposed to renting it. And in my opinion CD sounds better, but yeah I appreciate the convenience of streaming. And I also produce very good quality artwork for all my discs. So it is very much a "collection" which hopefully my family will take over and keep. Don't see many people handing their playlists down. Not a lot of time and effort used there. But as always, everyone to their own

 

[Gordon2903]

My Leema Elements cd player works well with non-red book.

I wouldn’t recommend doing anything illegal to make compilation CDs if I were you.

 

[Gordon2903]

Perfectly legal to make your own compilation, for personal use, or back up, from tracks you have purchased. I either buy used Cd's and rip, or buy individually from Quobuz

 

[Gordon2903]

But thanks for advice on your Leema Elements

 

[Shrek]

I make a lot of CD compilations and all play every time on both my Marantz players.I enjoy like you Gordon owning the media and making mix CDs much like the old mix tapes .

 

[Gordon2903]

Your guess will be as good as anyone else's here — all we can really do is look at the specs and make a judgement based on that.

I will say this though: I’ve yet to come across a DVD player that can’t play CD-Rs. Most of them use computer-style drive mechanisms. They’re a dime a dozen on eBay and can be bought for as little as £10, and some of them are actually very good CD players in their own right.

Pioneer made some of the best disc spinners back then. I owned the 565A and it played everything, including CD-Rs and SACDs. It’s worth a shot, won’t cost the earth, and if you already own an outboard DAC it will make a perfect transport

or if you own a decent blu ray player try that first

Thanks for reply, some good bits of advice in there

 

[Gordon2903]

I make a lot of CD compilations and all play every time on both my Marantz players.I enjoy like you Gordon owning the media and making mix CDs much like the old mix tapes .

Thanks for reply, yeah it was down to Marantz or Arcam but I loved the sound from the old Arcam CD72 so I decided on the CD5. But couple of replies saying Marantz handle Cd-r no problem so if Arcam continues to be problematic I'll return (it's brand new) and go Marantz

 

[Gordon2903]

If you're creating compilations out of WAV files, why bother with CD-Rs of them? Why not stream them from a local hard drive instead, and add the flexibility of playlists?

It's the "tactile" process of physically handling my music, goes back to being "reared" on vinyl, of which I still have a modest collection. And of having a physical collection to pass on, which I've spent time and effort on compiling. Good analogy be "well thumbed books" v Kindle. I see both sides, but firmly in the "physical media" camp. And my compiled CD is a playlist, my one. And of the highest possible quality presently available, (that I know of)

 

[Gordon2903]

Your guess will be as good as anyone else's here — all we can really do is look at the specs and make a judgement based on that.

I will say this though: I’ve yet to come across a DVD player that can’t play CD-Rs. Most of them use computer-style drive mechanisms. They’re a dime a dozen on eBay and can be bought for as little as £10, and some of them are actually very good CD players in their own right.

Pioneer made some of the best disc spinners back then. I owned the 565A and it played everything, including CD-Rs and SACDs. It’s worth a shot, won’t cost the earth, and if you already own an outboard DAC it will make a perfect transport

or if you own a decent blu ray player try that first

Thanks for reply, yeah I'm aware DVD and Blu Ray players are more tolerant of media than a lot of CD players, and if I can't find a reliable CD player to handle Cd-r then it's definitely a consideration. Marantz players being recommended, so would probably try that first then draw a line if unsuccessful.

 

[Steve983]

I burn a lot of cdr's, I can vouch for the Marantz CD6007, Denon DCD900NE and Cambridge Audio AXC35, no problems at all.