Good, cheap portable CD player with digital/optical out?

[WaywardTraveller]

Since I'm on the road and don't have access to a computer where I can install SS, I was wondering if anyone could point me to a good (and hopefully cheap?) portable CD player with digital/optical out...not sure if these two are the same (err, does that make sense?); but I want/need a CD player that I can play into the line-in of my Hi-MD using the supplied Sony optical cable.

If anyone can give me some models (or just tell me what to look for on the unit), that would be cool...I'll be in Bangkok and Singapore so I hope to pick one up relatively cheap.

peace

WaywardTraveller

[A440]

Optical is digital, yes.

Just look for a white jack labeled Line Out (Optical) on the unit. You'll have to get lucky.

I have an old Sony D-EJ725 with optical out, though I've never used that connection. I believe the Sony D-EJ825 also has optical out, but some D-EJ units do and some don't, and the numbering on CD units is even more confusing than the MD model numbers. Your best bet is probably an electronics store or market that has a lot of old models lying around, and looking at each one. Bring your cable along--you might have to take a plastic protector off one end.

[bland10000]

WT,

did you find a player?

[WaywardTraveller]

bland: there are a few electronics shops around here that have some pretty good prices (I think)...there's a Panasonic model (can't recall the no.) with optical out that I can bargain down to Y600 (about CAD85) and possibly cheaper...it runs on two gumstick batteries, which is ok since I can get them here for about $3.50CAD each . But can you say offhand if this is a decent price for a portable CD-player with optical out, or should I try to bargain for a better price?

The same place had some other Sony ATRAC models for slightly more money (I didn't try to bargain), but I figure that the Panasonic will suit me fine, as it's really only to record CDs on-the-road before I go home, and/or get rid of the SS restrictions on titling, etc.

peace

WaywardTraveller

Edited September 24, 2006 by WaywardTraveller

[bland10000]

The Panasonic seems to be your best deal as you are looking for a temporary digi-out while travelling. 85 cad / 75 usd / 9,000 en / seems a fair price for player with a digi-out. If you think you can bargain for less then do. Perhaps you will want to have an ace in pocket by knowing a second source that has the same player for the same price so you have a bit of leverage.

[WaywardTraveller]

The Panasonic seems to be your best deal as you are looking for a temporary digi-out while travelling. 85 cad / 75 usd / 9,000 en / seems a fair price for player with a digi-out. If you think you can bargain for less then do. Perhaps you will want to have an ace in pocket by knowing a second source that has the same player for the same price so you have a bit of leverage.

heheheh....yeah, bargaining is its own art, isn't it? Thankfully I stumbled on the electronics market in Urumqi and Kashgar (far western China), and even on the cusp of Central Asia you can buy an MZ-NH1 for about CAD260, no tax (is this a good price?). I usually tell them I can get it somewhere else slightly cheaper, and if they say no I just look somewhere else.

peace

WaywardTraveller