All about CD Changers

I still like CDs, now what?

Do you feel like life without some tangible documents and images accompanying a musical collection seems lacking in artistic expression?  And while most listeners may be willing to sacrifice the seductive flipping of an LP for a more compact CD, shouldn't there be at least some reverence for a solid hard copy of something that we call an album?  Answering yes indicates that you won't be converting all your music to MP3 anytime soon.

The compact disc changer is a rather ambiguous term that covers a variety of products.  A carousel is a changer, as is a unit that uses magazines.  CD players that can hold up to 300 discs are quite common, though they now seem a bit like enormous, second-rate MP3 players with large hard drives.  Which is the right one?  It all depends.

Adapt.

Don't settle for anything these days that does not read all types of digital music.  Music can be stored in a variety of formats, and there is no reason you should experience the frustration of seeing your new CD changer display an error message.  Look for this jumble of letters and you should be alright - SACD/CD/CDR/CDRW. 

If you want a carousel, go with a five or six-disc player.  The CD changer should have the ability to play a CD while you change the other discs - this is an option available on many entry-level machines of this variety.  For fans of the magazine style  CD changer, it is recommended that you search for players with magazines compatible in both your home and car.  Driving music is nice for loafing around the house, and vice versa.  Avoid the hassle of transferring discs between magazines. 

Go big at your own risk

As far as the massive, vertical load changers are concerned, why not enjoy occasionally scrolling through your CDs to find the one you want?  There is a corporeal pleasure to be taken here and missing out on it would be a tragedy indeed.  In the event that you are completely decided and want to limit your music collection to 300 CDs, all stowed away for difficult transport, then go for it.  The mechanics are said to be reliable and they are made with all the options of their smaller brethren. 

Don't forget to consider DVDs as well.  Some may hesitate to have one machine do too many things, but Onkyo, Pioneer and Manantz are all making affordable players that reliably handle all types of digital media.  If you are a fan of a true "changer," these single disc players won't satisfy your needs.

More information on CD changers