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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Robert Weston on February 24, 2011, 07:20:33 PM

Title: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Robert Weston on February 24, 2011, 07:20:33 PM
I'm considering using a rack-mount CD player for music before and during show breaks.  The Tascam CD-01U PRO (single disk) keeps popping up on internet searches.  The unit also plays mp3.

Anyone heard anything about this unit (good or bad)?  The cost (around $500.00) seems ok (sort of expensive for what it is...)

Are there other makes/models that could be considered? 

Thanks.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Brian Ehlers on February 24, 2011, 08:03:55 PM
I like my Denon (Marantz) DN-C620.  Single rack space, slot loading, nice broadcast-style user interface with lighted buttons.  And you don't have to buy a "pro" version to get balanced outputs (like you do with Tascam).  In addition to CD-DA, CD-R, CD-R/W, and MP3 it also plays computer discs with WAV files on them.  Sounds fine.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: tim.j.phillips on February 24, 2011, 09:16:28 PM
Robet:
We have a CD-01U in our auditorium and we haven't had a single problem with it.  Its played everything I have put into it including some scratched CD's i though would never play.  I'd agree with Brian though on the Denon equipment with the exception of a lot of their stuff is designed around the needs of DJ's, especially their higher end stuff which isn't necessarily what you would need for a theater or a concert setting.  That being said though Denon does make a great product for the money, I don't think you could go wrong with either.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Bennett Prescott on February 24, 2011, 11:38:35 PM
The CD-01U Pro is the way to go.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on February 25, 2011, 12:25:32 AM
The Tascam CD-01U Pro is being replaced with the CD-500B (http://tascam.com/product/cd-500b/images/). My guy tells me that they should be a little under the price of the 01U Pro, and they should be shipping by the end of March.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Mark Gensman on February 25, 2011, 02:21:59 AM
Being on a budget, I bought a Gemini rack mount CD player for around $110. It's worked great for a couple of years now.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Steve Ferreira on February 25, 2011, 02:28:06 AM
I have had 2 of the CD-01U for over 1 year. Haven't had any issues at all.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Robert Weston on February 25, 2011, 08:06:30 AM
Thanks for the feedback!

Had not considered the Denon units before.  Took a look at them -- they appear to be pretty good.

I'm still focused on the Tascam, but may wait till the other model shows up (or at least till some review of it comes out) before I make a decision.

Thanks again guys.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Mike Bamber on February 25, 2011, 08:26:20 AM
Denon DN-C640 is a good candidate - plus it runs networked audio so just LAN it up to your laptop and forget the CDs altogether :)
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Jay Barracato on February 25, 2011, 08:37:31 AM
Denon DN-C640 is a good candidate - plus it runs networked audio so just LAN it up to your laptop and forget the CDs altogether :)

Then why buy a CD player at all? There are better ways to get audio from the computer to the console.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Mike Bamber on February 25, 2011, 08:46:40 AM
Then why buy a CD player at all? There are better ways to get audio from the computer to the console.
I'm assuming CDs need to be played!

It wasn't really relevant to mention the Networked bit, but I think it's a feature that makes it more versatile than the Tascam / Teac model.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Geoff Doane on February 25, 2011, 11:29:39 AM
This Numark CD player would fit the bill, I think.  We bought a couple a few years ago, and they've worked well in intermittent use.  They have nice big PLAY buttons, which are nice for hitting that cue in the semi-dark.  They'll play MP3s too, although I haven't actually tried that.  Compared to Denon, they are much less expensive.

There is balanced and unbalanced analog out, along with SPDIF.

http://www.numark.com/mp102#0

GTD
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Bob Burke on February 25, 2011, 04:36:44 PM
  I have used the Tascam CD-01U PRO for a few years. It's never failed.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: John Livings on February 25, 2011, 04:58:28 PM
Then why buy a CD player at all? There are better ways to get audio from the computer to the console.

+1, Or an I-Pod

Regards,  JOHN
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Robert Weston on February 25, 2011, 08:18:15 PM
Good to see the positive points on the Tascam -

I considered using a laptop, but didn't want to have to "administer" something else, as well, it would need to sit someplace out of the way - the rack mount CD player seemed to "fit the bill" for out-of -the way, and no one can walk off with it.  Also, most of the bands will show up with CD of their music - to sell and to play during breaks.

Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Tim Talbot on February 25, 2011, 08:23:06 PM
I've got 1 of these and to be fair it works great... yes it might have KAM written on it but who cares if it does the job.
http://www.kam.co.uk/index.php?action=product&product_id=30
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Mike McNany on February 26, 2011, 12:43:20 PM
I'm considering using a rack-mount CD player for music before and during show breaks.  The Tascam CD-01U PRO (single disk) keeps popping up on internet searches.  The unit also plays mp3.

Anyone heard anything about this unit (good or bad)?  The cost (around $500.00) seems ok (sort of expensive for what it is...)

Are there other makes/models that could be considered? 

Thanks.

While a 1RU CDd player is VERY nice, 2RU CD players are dirt cheap new & used. I have the older version of the Numark referenced in another post, the CDN15 2RU. Doesn't do MP3s on the CD but does have no problem with commercial and computer generated disks. MP3s?, that's what an IPOD or MP3 player is for. An adaquate MP3 player can be had for $20-30 on sale. If it gets lost/stolen, it's an annoying bother, that's all.

Mike McNany
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: luis Markson on February 27, 2011, 08:43:07 PM
Can anyone please tell me if this exists?

What I want is a rackmount cd player with a built in HD or solid state media player. Saves patching in an ipod or risking having it stolen or broken.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Geoff Doane on February 27, 2011, 10:28:19 PM
Can anyone please tell me if this exists?

What I want is a rackmount cd player with a built in HD or solid state media player. Saves patching in an ipod or risking having it stolen or broken.

An Alesis Masterlink will do what you ask, although I'm not sure that's exactly what you have in mind.  There's still the problem of how to get the program off the iPod, and onto the HD.

GTD
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Tim Talbot on February 27, 2011, 10:30:01 PM
Can anyone please tell me if this exists?

What I want is a rackmount cd player with a built in HD or solid state media player. Saves patching in an ipod or risking having it stolen or broken.

Yep = http://www.whybuynew.co.uk/dj-equipment/numark-hdcd1-mp3-dj-cd-player-hdcd-1.htm
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: luis Markson on February 27, 2011, 11:17:03 PM
An Alesis Masterlink will do what you ask, although I'm not sure that's exactly what you have in mind.  There's still the problem of how to get the program off the iPod, and onto the HD.

GTD

That would be perfect if it was just a playback device....
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: luis Markson on February 27, 2011, 11:24:30 PM
Yep = http://www.whybuynew.co.uk/dj-equipment/numark-hdcd1-mp3-dj-cd-player-hdcd-1.htm

Don't need any of the DJ functionality.

I want something I can setup a variety of playlists for different kinds of functions (dinner music etc) and for between sets for different kinds of bands.

I would be great to know that you have the perfect music ready on hand at any given point in time.

Ideally I'd like to see:

2 RU

CD Tray, Large stop, play, cue and skip buttons.

Largish LCD for the HD player with large and simple, backlit menu navigation buttons. Front USB port for PC?mac connectivity.

Why not make it FW800...

Lets call it the "iRack"

Really its a simplifies version of the Numark

If anyone reading this takes the idea and manufactures one, at least do me the decency of sending me a free one!
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Tim Talbot on February 28, 2011, 09:46:01 AM
Good luck find one of those ;)
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Denny Conn on February 28, 2011, 11:52:02 AM
My problem is finding pro quality CD players with wired remotes.  Our CD players generally aren't in line of sight for w/l remotes and sometimes there are multiple players in a rack.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Tim McCulloch on March 01, 2011, 12:13:49 PM
My problem is finding pro quality CD players with wired remotes.  Our CD players generally aren't in line of sight for w/l remotes and sometimes there are multiple players in a rack.

Dedicated laptop or rackmount computer with Sports Sounds Pro for simpler things, and SFX or other theatrical playback/control software on a dedicated computer (pick your sound cards wisely) for the complex stuff.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Tom Duffy on March 01, 2011, 02:26:25 PM
My problem is finding pro quality CD players with wired remotes.  Our CD players generally aren't in line of sight for w/l remotes and sometimes there are multiple players in a rack.

I won't put a link here because I work for TASCAM, but we have 1U CD players with parallel control that you can make up your own remote however you want.

<mods : This thread already mentioned the CD player in question, hope this doesn't cross the line into advertising>

Tom Duffy
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Brian Ehlers on March 01, 2011, 06:21:37 PM
My problem is finding pro quality CD players with wired remotes.  Our CD players generally aren't in line of sight for w/l remotes and sometimes there are multiple players in a rack.
Again, the Denon DN-C620 fits the bill.  While the supplied remote is IR, there is also a 25-pin connector to which you can wire up whatever switches you want.  Or you can control the unit via an RS-232 port and Crestron or AMX.

Don't be fooled by the Denon name.  This unit is not consumer-grade.  Denon/Marantz seems to be pretty serious about designing and building this unit for the broadcast market.
Title: Re: Rackmount CD-Players
Post by: Bennett Prescott on March 01, 2011, 06:50:12 PM
Agreed. There is Denon, and then there is Denon Pro. A very big difference.