Sony CDP-CX400 400-Disc CD Changer
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- Device Type: Changer
- Number of Discs: 400
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266
The Next-best Megachanger Available
Pros
Great 400-disc capacity. Numerous programming & playback modes. Keyboard input capability.
Cons
Remote is nowhere near as powerful or satisfying at that of the CDP-CX450. No TV-display.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
This is the second-best (affordably priced) megachanger on the market. But, great as it is, I strongly suggest you skip it and buy the best: the Sony CDP-CX450.
I bought and briefly owned this unit. My intention had been to "link" it into my existing Sony CDP-CX450; I figured that since the latter already came with its amazing 2-way LCD remote and TV-display capability, all I needed next was just this cheaper CDP-CX400, and then all its data would be conveyed through the "link" cable into the CDP-CX450 and finally into the LCD remote and the TV attached to the CDP-CX450. It seemed like a relatively affordable way to expand the disc capacity of my CDP-CX450 from 400 to 800 discs without sacrificing any functionality. Boy, was I wrong.
First, be aware no CD player linked into the CDP-CX450 can have its data conveyed through the "link" and then onto the TV screen. Even if you buy another CDP-CX450 for your second unit (as I ultimately did), you will still then need to buy a separate video switchbox (visit Radio Shack!) to toggle between showing the first CDP-CX450's data on the TV, then the other CDP-CX450's data (this I also did). And as for displaying this CDP-CX400's data on the TV by any means--forget it. Since it doesn't itself contain such video-display circuitry, the video switchbox approach won't work either.
Second, be aware that no CD player linked into the CDP-CX450 can have its "Artist Names" data conveyed through the "link" and into the "master" unit. Even if you use a second CDP-CX450 for your "slave" (linked) unit, only the "Disc Names" can be loaded into the master unit and then displayed. (This amounts to a design shortcoming, and hopefully Sony will do better someday with its next generation of megachangers.) However, there is a way to get around this present shortcoming--but not if you buy the CDP-CX400 as your second unit.
The second CDP-CX450 would, of course, come with its own 2-way, LCD remote. This is key: it's possible temporarily to turn off the master unit, designate the slave unit as "CD3" (see the user manual for details), and finally load all of your previously input data--including artist names--into the second remote. Thereafter, you can use that second remote to control specifically the second, "slave" unit if you want to do "Artist searches." The other remote can still be used in all other ways, as you like.
Obviously, you won't be able to do this, either, if you try to use this CDP-CX400 as a second, slave unit. It only comes with an "old-fashioned" remote (no LCD display, and no 2-way infrared communication capability).
So, for just what type of user would this cheaper CDP-CX400 megachanger be appropriate? If you are absolutely sure that you'll never need/want the CDP-CX450's LCD remote and/or its TV-display capability (i.e., if you'll never want to use the CDP-CX450's superior "search" or "programming" functions)--if you mostly just want to turn it on, press PLAY and forget it), this player should satisfy you. And, to be fair, you can use the controls on the front of this unit to do such things as Artist searches in a reasonably satisfying manner--especially if you don't know what you're missing, never having experienced the CDP-CX450's LCD remote's greater facility for such things, especially when it's used in conjunction with a far-more-easily-readable TV display. (See my review on the CDP-CX450 for more details on this and its many other features. Indeed, I suggest you read that review before you commit your hard-earned to this CDP-CX400!)
For anyone wanting more functionality--not to mention fun!--do yourself a big favor and spend the difference to get the CDP-CX450. This CDP-CX400 is a definite, distant second best.
First, be aware no CD player linked into the CDP-CX450 can have its data conveyed through the "link" and then onto the TV screen. Even if you buy another CDP-CX450 for your second unit (as I ultimately did), you will still then need to buy a separate video switchbox (visit Radio Shack!) to toggle between showing the first CDP-CX450's data on the TV, then the other CDP-CX450's data (this I also did). And as for displaying this CDP-CX400's data on the TV by any means--forget it. Since it doesn't itself contain such video-display circuitry, the video switchbox approach won't work either.
Second, be aware that no CD player linked into the CDP-CX450 can have its "Artist Names" data conveyed through the "link" and into the "master" unit. Even if you use a second CDP-CX450 for your "slave" (linked) unit, only the "Disc Names" can be loaded into the master unit and then displayed. (This amounts to a design shortcoming, and hopefully Sony will do better someday with its next generation of megachangers.) However, there is a way to get around this present shortcoming--but not if you buy the CDP-CX400 as your second unit.
The second CDP-CX450 would, of course, come with its own 2-way, LCD remote. This is key: it's possible temporarily to turn off the master unit, designate the slave unit as "CD3" (see the user manual for details), and finally load all of your previously input data--including artist names--into the second remote. Thereafter, you can use that second remote to control specifically the second, "slave" unit if you want to do "Artist searches." The other remote can still be used in all other ways, as you like.
Obviously, you won't be able to do this, either, if you try to use this CDP-CX400 as a second, slave unit. It only comes with an "old-fashioned" remote (no LCD display, and no 2-way infrared communication capability).
So, for just what type of user would this cheaper CDP-CX400 megachanger be appropriate? If you are absolutely sure that you'll never need/want the CDP-CX450's LCD remote and/or its TV-display capability (i.e., if you'll never want to use the CDP-CX450's superior "search" or "programming" functions)--if you mostly just want to turn it on, press PLAY and forget it), this player should satisfy you. And, to be fair, you can use the controls on the front of this unit to do such things as Artist searches in a reasonably satisfying manner--especially if you don't know what you're missing, never having experienced the CDP-CX450's LCD remote's greater facility for such things, especially when it's used in conjunction with a far-more-easily-readable TV display. (See my review on the CDP-CX450 for more details on this and its many other features. Indeed, I suggest you read that review before you commit your hard-earned to this CDP-CX400!)
For anyone wanting more functionality--not to mention fun!--do yourself a big favor and spend the difference to get the CDP-CX450. This CDP-CX400 is a definite, distant second best.
