Best CD Changers of 2026
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CD changers are audio devices that allow users to store and play multiple CDs from a single unit. They were popularized in the 1990s and early 2000s as a convenient way to listen to a variety of music without having to constantly switch out CDs. Some models can hold up to 400 discs, and many have features such as random play, repeat, and shuffle. While they have become less common in recent years with the rise of digital music streaming services, CD changers remain a reliable and cost-effective option for those who prefer physical media.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 CD Changers
Yamaha CD-C603
The Yamaha 5-Disc CD Changer allows you to enjoy music with dynamics and clarity. Its fully-opening tray lets you change 5 discs at once, and PlayXchange feature enables you to swap 4 discs while the 5th one plays. You can play music files via USB, supporting various formats like MP3, WAV, and FLAC. With RCA and Optical outputs, this CD changer ensures high-quality sound due to its intelligent digital servo and laser pickup floating mechanism.
Onkyo DX-C390-B 6-Disc CD Carousel Changer
The Onkyo DX-C390-B 6-Disc CD Carousel Changer is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and versatile CD player. It plays Audio CDs, MP3 CDs, and CD-R/RWs, and can change up to 5 discs during playback. It also features VQA (Vector Quantize Audio) Conversion Technology and a Direct Digital Path for improved sound quality. Customers have praised the player for its smooth operation, quiet carousel, and light over the carousel. However, some have reported loud intermittent noises due to improper alignment of the CD in the playing tray.
Integra Premium CD Changer
The Integra Premium 6 Disc CD Carousel Changer Black (CDC-3.4) is a high-performance CD player with dual high-quality Wolfson 192 kHz / 24-bit digital to analog converters and Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) for a noise-free signal path. Its proprietary Direct Digital Path technology provides a direct shielded cable connection to rear panel outputs and keeps the audio signal guarded from trace digital interference. With 128 times oversampling, RS232 and IR controllable, this CD player is housed in an all-steel and aluminum anti-resonant chassis for higher fidelity performance capability. Its soft blue light on the face is continually attractive day or night and serves to illuminate the carousel tray in the dark to make disc exchange simple from the CD wells which are also numbered for your convenience. 5 discs can be swapped out while the 6th disc continues to play. Direct access to disc or disc track, as well as random track playback are available.
Yamaha CD-S303 Single CD Player
The Yamaha CD-S303 Single CD Player is a great choice for those looking for a high-quality audio experience. It features a high performance DAC for high conversion precision with low noise, a laser pickup floating mechanism, and an easily accessible USB port on the front panel. It supports playback of MP3, WMA, LPCM, AAC, and FLAC digital music files stored on USB memory devices, and includes a remote control. Customers have praised its performance and value, though some have had difficulty with the USB port.
Onkyo C-7030 Home Audio CD Player
The Onkyo C-7030 Home Audio CD Player is a great choice for those looking for a high-quality audio player at an affordable price. It features a VLSC for Pulse Noise Reduction, a high-quality 192 kHz/24-Bit DAC, custom-designed transformers, a solid aluminum front panel, and differential headphone amp circuitry. It supports a variety of audio formats, including MP3, and has received positive reviews from customers for its sound quality and build quality. However, there have been some reports of quality control issues.
Sony CDP-CX355 CD Changer Player
The Sony CD Changer Player is a 300-disc changer that plays various types of CDs, including CD-Rs and CD-RWs. With its fade in/fade out feature, you can smoothly transition between songs, and the text display of artist names and CD information makes it easy to find your favorite tracks. The jog dial control allows you to easily navigate through your collection, and the repeat, random, and programmable play features give you complete control over your listening experience. Additionally, the recently played search feature makes it easy to find the last CD you listened to. The player has analog RCA and digital optical outputs, extended bass, and a metal chassis for durability. If you have a larger collection, alternative models are available for up to 400 CDs. Overall, the Sony CD Changer Player is a convenient and versatile way to store and play your CD collection.
Sony CD Changer Player CDP-CX355
Sony CD Changer Player CDP-CX355 is a 300-disc changer that can play CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs. With features like fade in/fade out between songs, text display of artist names and CD info, jog dial control, repeat, random, and programmable play, recently played search, analog RCA, digital optical outputs, extended bass, and metal chassis, this CD player offers convenience and ease of use. The fade in/fade out feature helps to create seamless transitions between tracks, and the text display makes it easy to find your favorite artist or album. The jog dial control allows for easy navigation through your music collection, and the programmable play feature lets you create custom playlists. The recently played search feature helps you quickly find the last CD you played. The analog RCA, digital optical outputs, extended bass, and metal chassis provide high-quality sound and a durable, long-lasting design.
Yamaha CDS303 CD Player with USB
The Yamaha CDS303 CD Player is designed to give you a smooth and reliable music experience. Its mechanical playback system ensures your CDs play consistently without skipping. The laser pickup floating mechanism helps keep the laser stable, so you get clear sound even if the player moves slightly. This player also supports CD-R and CD-RW discs, meaning you can enjoy your burned or rewritten CDs without trouble. Plus, the front panel USB lets you connect and play music from USB drives, giving you more options to enjoy your favorite tunes.
Yamaha CD-C603 5-Disc Changer
The Yamaha CD Changer offers versatile audio playback with its five-disc capacity, allowing you to enjoy a variety of your favorite CDs without needing to swap them out frequently. Its auxiliary connectivity feature lets you easily connect external devices, enhancing your listening experience. Additionally, it supports MP3 format, enabling you to play digital music files seamlessly. This renewed model combines convenience and quality, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate classic CD collections while wanting modern functionality.
Shanling ET3 Digital CD Transport
The Shanling ET3 CD Transport offers a high-quality CD drive system that ensures accurate playback of your discs using trusted Philips and Sanyo components. This device supports a wide range of discs, including standard CDs, rewritable CDs, and even MQA-CDs, giving you flexibility in your music collection. It provides a USB output capable of delivering ultra-high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD 512, meaning you can enjoy crystal-clear sound when connecting to compatible devices. Additionally, the dedicated upscaling chip converts all audio to DSD format, enhancing the sound quality and bringing out finer audio details for a richer listening experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a CD player and a CD changer?
A CD player is a device that plays a single CD at a time, while a CD changer is a CD player that can hold multiple CDs simultaneously. CD changers, often used in home stereo systems, have a carousel-style tray that can accommodate five or six discs, allowing for easy and convenient switching between CDs.
2. What is the best way to convert CDs to digital?
To convert CDs to digital format, you can use software like Windows Media Player. Simply launch the program, insert the CD into your computer's CD drive, and click the 'Rip CD' button. The ripped digital files will be saved in a folder of your choice. You can then access and listen to the audio files on your computer or transfer them to other devices.
3. Is it worth keeping CDs?
Keeping CDs can be worthwhile for various reasons. CDs offer a unique listening experience, especially for vintage EPs, live recordings, and special editions. They provide a balance of quality, affordability, and convenience, serving as a middle ground between vinyl records and streaming services. So, if you enjoy the tangible aspect and value the sound quality of CDs, it's worth keeping them in your collection.
During our cd changers research, we found 24 cd changers products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 16,132 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cd changers list. We found that most customers choose cd changers with an average price of $252.56.
The cd changers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cd changers, including Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony, Yamaha Motor, SHANLING. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 635 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Jerry Franklin's persistent curiosity and research inspire a love of writing how technical things work and help him build a wealth of knowledge in computer equipment and other electronic tools. He has always enjoyed great pleasure in taking all things apart and researching how to put them together again since his childhood.
CD Changers Comparison Table
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| Brand | Yamaha | Onkyo | Onkyo | Yamaha | Onkyo | Sony | Sony | Yamaha | Yamaha Motor | SHANLING |
| Model Name | CDC603 | DX-C390-B | Integra CDC-3.4 - 6-Disc CD Carousel | CDS303 | C-7030 | CX355 | Mega Storage | CD-S3000 | CD-C603 | ET3 |
| Color | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | Random | Random | Black | Black | Black |
| Connectivity Technology | Auxiliary | Wires | Infrared | USB | Auxiliary, Infrared | Auxiliary | Auxiliary | RCA | RCA | USB |
| Item Weight | 12.3 pounds | - | 15.2 pounds | 7.7 pounds | 11.7 pounds | 24.2 pounds | 22.6 pounds | 11.25 pounds | 16.8 pounds | 7.7 pounds |
| Special Feature | - | CD-R/RW Compatible, Portable | - | CD-R/RW Compatible, Portable | - | Programmable | Programmable | Pure Direct, Intelligent Digital Servo, SACD Compatible | - | - |
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