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Does Anyone Use a Portable CD Player as Their Source?

Just curious to know if anyone has tried using a portable CD player running off AA batteries as their source? I’m doing this right now along with a remote controlled stepped attenuator preamp going into a 400 W/ch amp and I’ve got to say I’m pretty blown away by how natural everything is sounding. Listening fatigue is virtually non-existent, instruments and voices sound natural, and piano notes don’t jump around the room. Obviously it has some weaknesses as you can only expect so much out of a cheap consumer device that wasn’t designed specifically for audiophiles, but it’s impressive nonetheless. 
I think it really boils down to it’s simplistic circuitry and having everything on a single board. For example, there is no:
-grid connection
-transformer
-AC-DC power supply
-power cables
-electrical system noise 
-Etc.

If you haven’t tried this, I encourage you to give it a shot and see what you hear. It has been a fun experience for me.
128x128mkgus
10 responses Add your response
glupson
7,842 posts
 
SONY D-421SP.

I used it for some time via Line Out a couple of years ago. It served the purpose, but results were nothing to write home about.

Another issue is egonomics. Small buttons, no remote (virtually never), hanging at the end of connecting cord.
rshak
417 posts
 
I dug up a battery powered CD player and listened to it . . . during last month's big freeze in Texas - and the attendant power outage.  So they have their niche, and given the circumstances I was happy to have one.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The late (and missing?)

https://youtu.be/7E2w4sTLKtA?t=1
mkgus's avatar
mkgus OP
324 posts
 
Anyone who has tried this, what portable CD player were you using and did you like your results?
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,501 posts
 
I did once a long time ago. It was not very impressive but it did play OK. The batteries would only last 2 or 3 plays and they would be used up. 
mkgus's avatar
mkgus OP
324 posts
 
I also use a Playstation 1 (SCPH-1001 is the good one). I’ve modded it to run off 12V car-style batteries (sealed, not vented) with DC-DC regulators. This setup also sounds good and I go back to it quite often. The simplicity of the portable CD player setup sounds a bit more organic, but perhaps not as lively. 
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Used the PlayStation 1 & 2 for a week each.
was ok.  
mkgus's avatar
mkgus OP
324 posts
 
I’m using line out with a 3.5 mm to RCA cable plugged directly into my passive preamp. I keep the lines as short as possible so I don’t lose signal. There’s not a lot of signal to go around but that really depends on the portable CD player specs. An active preamp would solve low signal issues but that sort of gets away from the simplistic concept. Right now I’m using a Panasonic SL-S160 series portable CD player. 
grinnell
1,095 posts
 
Does it have digital out?   what are you using?
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
The late (and missing?) Geoffkait used a Sony Discman as his playback device for CDs!  Certainly such a minimalist layout with battery supply has its merits! Plus a lack of snob appeal! 
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