Clean, crisp, and maintenance-free sound
Written: Jul 11 '05 (Updated Jul 12 '05)
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Pros: skip protection, sound quality, bbe processing, durability, CDR capabilities
Cons: doesn't play CDRW
The Bottom Line: This changer will probably last you until CD's go obsolete, and it sounds great to boot!
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| freetolio's Full Review: JVC CH-X350 12-Disc CD Changer |
I received this as a gift for a birthday present several years ago. It was purchased at Best Buy. I needed a CD changer because my factory stereo (at the time) couldn't play CD's, and I didn't want to go through the hassle of installing a cd receiver into my dashboard when there were no available mounting kits for my particular vehicle. Initially I had the unit professionally installed and running through the included FM modulator before later purchasing a JVC tape deck to connect it to.
Usability
There are several broadcast stations to choose from accurate to one tenth of a megahert. The quality is above that of a tape, and the BBE sound processing is a must for adding dimension to both the highs and lows. This changer's eject button can be used to reset it should an error occur. The cartridge has 12 flimsy trays that tend to slide partially or fall completely out when you tip it over outside of the changer.
Problems
One aggravation was the fact that I later hooked this up to a tape deck that had no BBE sound processing, and this prevented me from using this feature of the changer.
Installation
The unit can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
When the unit is hooked up via the FM radio, an included modulator must be physically connected inline from the antenna to the receiver, and power and grounding cables must also be connected to the changer. When the changer is connected to a JVC receiver with a J-Link connector, the power, grounding, and signal all are carried through one unified cable connected to the head unit. The included J-link cable is plenty long for installation in the very furthest corner of any vehicle.
Compatibility/Durability
The changer plays CD-Rs of even the most dubious quality despite the fact that this feature wasn't advertised. I've inserted cds that had a data layer that was flaking off and they still played (the parts where the data layer remained intact). I've also inadvertently placed CD's with dirt, grass, and/or antifreeze on them in this with no ill effects on the changer.
However, the cartridges this changer uses must be inspected if they are dropped because it is possible that the plastic seems may be misaligned. If this happens, the cartridge will not eject without being pried out with a screw driver. The seem can easily be popped back in line though.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the changer is phenomenal when connected with J-Link to a head unit like the KS FX480. Skips are a nonevent with this changer, and the only time I ever experienced skipping was when the screws holding the player down to the trunk of my car came loose, and even then the skips were rare.
Overall
I haven't had any problems with this changer. It plays music and requires no maintenance. I highly recommend it to anyone with or without a JVC receiver.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 189
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Epinions.com ID:
freetolio
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Location: NC, USA
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I'm a computer geek.
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