Very inexpensive and probably the best bang for the buck
When optical outputs are used in conjunction with a receiver containing a good D/A converter, this player can't be beat.
-DTS passthrough via optical output

-there are annoyingly five bright LEDs used to indicate CD presence
-remote buttons are too small and player doesn't respond 100% of the time
-carousel mechanism makes a cheap grinding sound when turning

If you have a DTS-capable receiver and are looking for cheap, brand-name CD player, this is it! Forget about using the old RCA line-outs and the cheap built-in 1-bit D/A converter, and go digital! Invest in a receiver with a good D/A converter in it, and you're set. For those of you who don't know, all CD players will sound exactly the same when the optical output is used since all the sound processing is done by the receiver! So spend $150 CDN on this player (or its descendant the SL-PD9) and use your savings for your receiver.

I've connected it to a Yamaha RX-V596 DD/DTS receiver and it sounds like a million bucks. Annoyingly enough, the 596 doesn't have a digital input for CD so I have to use the CBL/SAT or D-TV optical inputs instead. Next time I'll spring for the RX-V800...

This unit has played every single CD-R I've thrown at it so far. Haven't tested CD-RW compatibility yet but wouldn't count on it. The SL-PD9 will support CD-RW; it's an advertised feature. Also popped in my Boyz II Men II (20-bit DTS 5.1 edition) CD and it played without a problem.

The blinking CD on the display doesn't bother me, it's the bright yellow LEDs on the DISC 1-5 buttons that drive me up the wall. As soon as I find some stickers I'll see if I can cover them out. They're also unnecessary since the screen also tells you which trays are loaded and which are not.

The front console contains the same functionality as the remote, so if I don't have the remote I can still use all the features of the player. I like that.

Overall, I'm quite impressed and I'd buy it again. Five stars for value and four stars overall, due to the noisy carousel and bright LEDs.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Yamaha

some nice features

mine doesn't work right, useless, too bright display, sound quality

Mine works fine until it warms up about 1/2 hour. Then, it refuses to play CD-Rs. Didn't find this out until after I threw away the box, so now getting it fixed will be a pain.

The sound quality is definitely lacking. Has a slightly compressed sound causing a lack of depth and detail and a slightly bright overall sound.

I wouldn't mind the bright, flashing display if it was of any use at all. The disk playing is always displayed at the top of the display. Impossible to read the number accross the room, especially since it's flashing.

I can't live without a CD player, so I bought an RCA 8070 for $69.00 at Best buy to hold me over until I got the Technics fixed. To my surprise, It sounds MUCH better, (more open) works well, and has a smaller, dimmer display that is usable accross the room because of the way it works.
Also comes with a pretty nice remote and optical out.

When I get the Technics fixed I will sell it. I'm keeping the RCA.

Similar Products Used:

RCA 8070

handsome unit, excellent detail in female voice reproduction, very good price/performance ratio, haven't heard any misfiring. At $130 from Crutchfield - excellent.

no headphone jack for straight-up listening

Just recently played Celine Dion's last hits compilation and was made keenly aware of "hidden" instrument voices. Also played the Gettysburg soundtrack CD and liked the clarity and controlled decay of the percussion sounds. The SONY was no slouch in its day; this unit may simply have better evolutionary components. Sold somewhat by reported robustness of the Technics line of CD players. Other system equipment includes a 100W/channel stereo receiver, Thorens 166 Mark II turntable, Harman Kardon Cassette deck and Paradigm 3se speakers.

Similar Products Used:

SONY CDP-670 (1989 vintage, 8X oversampling) single play unit (which didn't fail - just wanted multi-play unit)

I purchased this deck with the intent or returning it - just wanted to see if it lived up to some of the reviews I have read of it. I'm going to keep it. Surprisingly good player, many things going for it. I'm not going to mention any weaknesses or issues I have with it - what do you really expect for a $150 changer?

Looks better than most multi disc players, cheap price a decent quality

quick disc rotation in't quick at all, green lights

Overall, a decent machine. Sound is alright and for the most part it looks good, however, quick disk rotation is not quick it's slow. Good for price paid.

Similar Products Used:

sony, yamaha

Superb sound at a shockingly low ($119.96) price.

The disc tray is a bit noisy when rotating between discs.

My old Technics player finally died, so I went looking for another. A colleague recently spent $2000 (!) on a CD player, so he tried to steer me in that direction.

Sorry, but once you get above the really rock-bottom units sold at Joe's Bait, Auto & Stereo, I'm hard-pressed to hear the difference between any of today's properly-operating CD players...unless I know the price. Psychology at work! However, this new Technics really does sound better than I remember my old one. (Digital filters vs. analog?)

What can I say - the sound is GREAT, tracking is perfect, and even some problematic discs worked fine, with no audible imperfections.

It's the newest component in my system - and a fine addition.

Rest of system:
Kenwood Basic C1 preamp
Kenwood Basic M2 amp
Polk SDA-2 speakers
Nakamichi BX-2 cassette deck
Sony linear "Biotracer" turntable with Shure V15MR ctg.
Burwen 1201DNF and SAE1000 for cleaning up old, OLD records in my collection.

Similar Products Used:

Ancient (c. 1986) Technics CD player.

CD handling capability, sound quality

Flashing light on display (which cd is playing).

For about 15 years, I have been using an old Magnavox cd player. It was built like tank (weighed about 20 pounds or more, and NEVER skipped a beat).

About a year ago, I decided that I would like a changer with a remote, so I bought a another Magnavox (model 725) from U-bid. What a mistake!! Many disks would not play unless you fiddled with them (open drawer, turn disk, turn player off/on, etc). Very frustrating!! Also, I was under the impression that all CD players sound pretty much the same. Wrong again!! The new Magnavox just didn't sound right (uneven response? distortion?).

Then, several weeks ago, I decided that I had enough and bought the Technics, based on these reviews and Consumers Reports. Cost was about $120.

My limited experience to date has been a delight. Everything works as expected. Sound is rich and full. Only complaint is that damned blinking light. If I can't get used to it, I will cover it with a piece of tape!! Also, much lighter than my original Magnavox- don't know about durability.

Anyway- I am extremely happy with the Technics. Does anyone want to buy a Magnavox 725-- real cheap!!

Similar Products Used:

Magnavox single disk CD player (very old); Magnavox 725 CD Changer

Regardless of cheap price, everything! This player sounds very musical, period!

None whatsoever. Get over your gripe about the flashing disc # light on the display... I think it's gorgeous and high-tech looking! This is one audiophile that does not mind power meters and pretty lights. Maybe its the ham radio operator in me, but I LOVE this kind of stuff.

This is one musical player for a cheap, mass consumer electronics offering! Must be something to do with Panasonic's 'MASH'1 bit technology for sure. I have an all Bryston system with a Rega Planet CD source and Magnepan MG12QR speakers and Velodyne sub in my main setup. I purchased this player for my inexpensive, cost-effective office setup, and I was floored by how musical this thing sounds!!! Instruments and vocals are sharply defined without being harsh, and timbral accuracy sounds as if its 'right on' with this player. I tried hooking it up to my Bryston equipment and Maggies just as a curious fluke, and the player exceeded my demanding expectations by far... just simply amazing!!! Truthfully, it sounds as good as my Rega Planet which cost about 6 times as much! Panasonic/Technics has proven that you don't need to spend much these days to get great sounding audio! Kudos to them!

Similar Products Used:

Rega Planet, Denon DCM-370, CAL

Sound, Price, Quick CD Rotation, Optical Digital output, Nice Remote

Does not calculate total times of selected tracks for recarding, no Fader button (Most Sony's have these two features.)

This CD player sounds great. The Bass is deep and clear and the overall sound can't be beat for something in this price range. If you're looking for a great sounding player that's also affordable then get this! You'll thank me for it later.

Similar Products Used:

None.

great sound,and all features are available from the front panel (no need to hunt for the remote)

who needs a spiral play option?

Great sound reproduction (especially with the optical output), relatively quite mechanism, works better than my Denon carousel player did. And it wasn't broken out of the box like my Sony. Seems to play every scratched or filthy disk I load. Like I said at the top, it is great to have a CD player where all the options are available on the front panel so I don't have to search for the remote (take THAT, Denon!)

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Sony