CD Players vs Changers is there a difference ?

[Mojo Warrior]

I don't recall seeing any measurements of CD changers vs a single disc player. No doubt that some audiophiles would claim that the disc drive in a single disc player is "better" than that found in a multi-disc changer but what is the evidence ? Would the digital output be significantly different ? Audibly different ?

I have both types and I cannot discern a difference on casual listening. However, I have not done ABX testing. Which is not possible on my system. One could make an argument that players have more robust transports compared to changers but this would merely be speculation. But is there a difference in sound quality or is their digital output identical ?

 

[TurtlePaul]

The outputs aren’t audibly or significantly different. Most mass brands have a player and for $50-100 more have a changer with basically the same electronics and specs. The spindle is usually the same, the disc doesn’t care how big of a tray carried it to the spindle.

Some people like single-disc players for the ritual of loading the discs and pressing play.

There is a cost and size difference in single disc units vs changers that some people consider.

Some people prefer to have a player that can play for the whole duration of a party with 5-6 discs.

A changer can have more reliability issues because the rotating drawer is the biggest mechanical component. Different brands have different reliability but there are a lot more problematic changers.