Audio CD Changer - A Primer

By mp3deals

Excecutive Sumarry By Chimezirim Chinecherem Odimba

CD Disc Changer

The CD has become the format of choice for hard copy music distribution. The CD displaced the record, vinyl records and the audio cassette as the dominant form of listening to recorded music.

The CD Changer
All you have to do is to load all the CD's you want to listen to. One after another it will play your CD's as many times as you want. The order of selection of CDs will be done randomly or automatically depending on which button you press.

CD changers are great for those long drives especially for those who insist on having music on the preferred format. That said, mp3 compatibility has taken CD changer functionality to another level.

If burning hundreds of mp3 files downloaded from the internet onto a disc is your thing, mp3 compatible changers will give you weeks of play time without repeating a song (A disc can hold up ten hours worth of music in mp3 format).

Note this, there are CD changers that are designed to work with your factory installed radios and there are those that are made for your aftermarket radio. So do check before you buy your next CD changer.

Factory fitted CD changers are Available for all models (Alfa Romeo to VW) and allows you to retain the integrated look and functionality of your dash and standard car radio.

Aftermarket CD Changers: All leading brands are available (Alpine to VDO Dayton) in good online stores. They are ideal if you have changed your car radio or have a branded or aftermarket radio fitted.

Ten Things You Should Do If Your CD Changer Will Not Play Discs Or If They Skip

Here are ten things that will help you if your CD changer will not play or if they skip.

• Before installing your CD changer ensure you have removed the transportation screws, (where fitted). These will be highly visible on the exterior of the CD Changer.
• Ensure the angle mounting adjustment screws found at either side of the CD changer have been set correctly according to the angle at which the CD changer has been mounted. Consult your handbook for details.
• Check to ensure that your discs are clean and not damaged. Try other discs in the position of the disc that will not play. For example if your CD changer is failing to play (disc 1) try a different CD (preferably an original CD) in slot No.1. This is especially true if you are using CD-R or CD/RW copied discs as these are often the culprits if a cheap CD-R is used. The other reason is if it has been burned at too fast a speed or if the copier had not finalized the disc completely.
• If you have used Velcro to mount your CD changer, please ensure that you have mounted it horizontally. This is so that a larger surface area makes contact to provide optimum stability preventing your discs from skipping. CD Changer manufacturers recommend using the included brackets but we have never experienced problems using Velcro if you mount the CD Changer horizontally ensuring that it is solid.
• Use a CD laser cleaner disc. These are available from any music store and when played in your CD changer will clean the laser and correct any problems of a dirty CD laser such as discs not playing or skipping.
• If the changer magazine ejects, then power is getting to your CD changer, so this will not be the issue. So now disconnect the CD changer data lead from the CD changer and leave disconnected for 1 minute, then reconnect and test for correct operation. This will often reset your CD changer.
• If you are using a CD changer that has an in-line fuse such as a Pioneer, check that this fuse isn't blown. If the CD changer has an earth fly-lead, check this has a clean, tight contact with the car chassis. The majority of CD changers have the live and earth wires built into the CD data lead.
• If you are using an Alpine CHA-S634 CD Changer in conjunction with a KCA-130B (Ai-NET to M-Bus convertor), ensure the small switch found next to the "Eject" button has been set to position No. 2. The CD changer leads must be disconnected when moving this switch. Please consult your manual for more details.
• If you are using a Kenwood CD Changer ensure the small switch, found next to the "Eject" button on some models, has been set to the correct position for the Kenwood radio model you have connected it to. Consult your handbook for more details.
• If all the above does not remedy the situation, we'll have only three suspects left: A faulty radio, CD data lead or the CD Changer itself. The only way to rule out the CD changer and CD lead is by trying replacements one at a time. However, please ensure you have followed 1 to 9 above.

Check out our other review on sansa mp3 player and mp3 players accessories