#CD Player Recommendation
9 messages in this thread
I would appreciate a recommendation on which CD player to purchase.
I will be using it in either a 12MHZ 286 or 16MHZ 386 with 2 meg RAM, 50
meg HD, and VGA. I want a unit for three reasons – (1) Encyclopedia for the
kids, (2) putzing around with fun things (like the aircraft cd), and (3)
playing music cds in the background.
Here are my choices – (1) Magnavox 461 w/6 cds for $420, (2) Sony 7205 w/6
cds for $530, or (3) NEC 72 w/8 cds for $620.
Based on the above, what is the "best buy"? Why would you choose one over
the other?
Thanks.
Dear John,
Am sort of in the same predicament at the moment, adding to the confusion
is my PS2 microchannel situation which leaves me no more slots after the CD
interface. Have read so much about the upcoming multimedia boards like the
PAS, Soundblaster Pro or Adlib Gold with the SCSI interface ready for
CR-ROM so should I/we wait for that to become available ?
Anyway, as far as the machine/bundle goes, am inclined to go with the NEC
mainly because of the software which are practically worth the $620 (Tiger
Software, right?) even if the drive may not be the best/fastest around.
Tried my best to get reviews on the CDR-72 but nothing really good. I know
that the latest NEC models are the 73 & 83? which are faster, I think. The
reviews show the Toshiba being the fastest around, that's another story of
course, being expensive at this time and comes with no good software
bundles anywhere. All stories on CD-ROM admit any system being real slow
though.
So there's the $64 question, whether to buy now, and which to buy ?
Scanning the threads here, there seems to be problems every now & then with
various types/brands but that would be true for any kind of equipment or
appliance anyway. Am not sure if I helped you any but good luck to both of
us & other fellows out there with the same problem.
Dean
Hmmmm … go for the drive or the software?
The NEC 72 was discontinued in 1990, but NEC still has specs on it. When I
called them, they said it was an "ok drive for current software", and the
"73 was put out to incorporate what they learned from limitations of the
72".
I do not believe the Magnavox, NEC or Sony is MPC, but is that important?
So far, I am leaning towards the Magnavox based on the price and mini
review in Byte.
Hopefully, some of the messages I have not read yet will shed some light!
Hi, John …
I did bite the bullet and ordered the CDR-72 today before they run out of
stock. And Tiger Software has a special going on if you buy an NEC reader
(for the next 30 days), you may buy their CDs, 3 for $79.95 with premium
CDs requiring additional $10 or $20. Still a great buy. So, with the 8
CDs that come with the reader + their specials, the bundle would be a
little difficult to beat. In any event, I could upgrade my reader at a
later date and retain the software. Now, I'm not sure if I want to convert
to Corel Draw on CD-ROM at this time.
Will keep monitoring.
Thanks.
Dean
Let us know how the 72 performs. I have only see #'s on the 73. Thanks.
For general use, none of them are "best buys", in my opinion, because none
of them are MPC multimedia compliant. There will always be some CD's which
are non-MPC which you will be able to play, but by getting one of these
systems, you are locking yourself out of all the MPC titles, and those look
to be the best ones right now.
For around $700, you can get the Media Vision Multimedia system, which
includes the Pro Audio Spectrum stereo sound card, the Sony CDU-541 CD-ROM
drive, and several CD's, including Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia, which
has an $800 list price.
For more info, email me your address.
I'll take suggestions any way I can get them – John Hamilton 711 High
Street Des Moines, IA 50392 515-247-5994 voice 515-247-6643 fax Thanks!
Of those you mention, the Sony 7205 is the "closest" to the MPC standard,
but is still lacking. PC Mag rated the Sony as a "best buy". Several
members of the forum have the Sony bundle and report being pleased.
Is it true Sony (or somebody) is working on an EPROM/controller/software
upgrade to the 7205 to make it MPC compliant?