A cheap CD player w/ digital out, really? Yes REALLY!
Written: Mar 07 '02
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Pros: Inexpensive, digital out, plays CD-R/RWs
Cons: Awful remote, no track time remaining
The Bottom Line: Need a portable CD player with a digital out? Then get the AZ9225; it's simple and solid- it's all that you NEED.
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| dominickalcid's Full Review: Philips AZ9225 Personal CD Player |
Two weeks ago, I bought the Philips AZ9225 portable CD player over the Internet. Considering the price I paid for it ($44.00, shipping included), it is an excellent player for the money. I should point out that this is the first portable CD player I ever bought for myself- yes, I am aware portable CD players came out over 15 years ago- and so I have little to compare it to. I was too busy jumping on the MiniDisc bandwagon due to MD’s small size, re-recordability (prior to CD-RW’s), and the MD coolness factor. Although, upon closer inspection, the AZ9225 and MD are not mutually exclusive…
I bought the AZ9225 primarily because it has an Optical Audio Out mini-jack (i.e. Digital Out). I trust the name Philips and it was cheap, so why not? If you don’t know what Digital Out is for, let me try to explain: one can digitally record from the AZ9225 to a digital media recorder (MD, CD-R, etc.), and recording digitally has the following advantages: first, you can synchronize recordings via the digital connection so no more pressing Record just when you think the music will start, the recorder stays in Pause mode until it “hears” a signal and then it automatically starts recording; and second, the quality of the sound is superior to other means of recording (generally, versus analog connections). Again, bear in mind that the AZ9225 is not the recorder but rather the Source, so if you don’t really have the need to record digitally, the AZ9225 may not be a totally useful purchase for you. But if you DO need a portable CD player with a Digital Out, pick this one up if you can get it for cheap (anyone familiar with digital recording equipment will recognize that $44 is pretty darn cheap for a CD player with a Digital Out socket). OK, I’m done extolling the virtues of Digital Recording and how this CD player fits into that equation- let’s get to the unit itself:
Packaging
I received the following in my shipment:
- CD player main unit (AZ9225)
- Corded remote control (AY 3767)
- Headphones (SBC HP540)
- DC adapter (can power the unit w/ no batteries installed)
- Manual (in English, French, and Spanish)
What I did NOT get (which may be available on International models of this CD player):
- Rechargeable batteries (AA size)
- Carry pouch
- Digital connection cord
- Car stereo connection equipment
Remote Control
The headphones plug into the remote, which plugs into the unit. All connect via miniplugs, so you do not necessarily have to use the remote (and conversely you don’t have to use the supplied headphones to use the remote). Upon two weeks of use, I must say that this is the worst remote I have ever used, corded or otherwise, for any piece of electronic equipment ever- including the corded remotes on old VCRs. The AZ9225’s remote only has three CD control buttons, a hold switch that does not “click” into place, and one of those little wheels to adjust the volume. Oh, and a clip to attach it to your shirt or whatever. One of the reasons why this is the worst remote ever: the three CD control buttons are Play/Pause, Forward (skip or fast search) and Stop. That’s it. No Rewind (unbelievable!). No Playmode. No nothing. And you know how sometimes when there are buttons all together on a remote some buttons will have a bump or something on it so that you don’t have to look at the remote to know what you’re pressing, or if you’re trying to use the remote in the dark- well, this remote doesn’t have that (think about how useful that bump on the “5” key on your cell phone is). Also, whenever you press a button on the remote, you hear a beep- this beep cannot be turned off (you hear a beep when pressing buttons on the main unit as well). Hmm, what else, the plug is steel (not GOLD) and a curved L-shape. And in case you’re wondering, there’s no LCD on the remote (well duh!- and even if there were, I bet it wouldn’t be backlit!). Maybe I’m asking for too much or maybe I’m spoiled by MD remotes, but the remote on the AZ9225 is a waste of circuitry. Next section…
Headphones
The supplied headphones are the big ear-cup, over-the-head style that fold up (think Sony V-series). These are NOT earbuds. But honestly, these headphones are quite comfortable and they deliver good sound. I’m not one of those individuals who play their music at outrageously high volumes with headphones on, nor am I the type of person who requires audiophile quality from my portable music equipment. I am quite happy with these headphones except for the blue/purple plastic nubs on the size adjusters- it’s just not my style. I’ve used these headphones to listen from other source equipment, and they have excellent response for highs and lows (listened to techno, the Stone Roses, and to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons). From the AZ9225 unit itself, they work just fine. These headphones have a silver/steel miniplug and the plug is straight, not L-shaped. Music sounds good coming from the AZ9225 coming through these headphones, my Sony V-6's, as well as my earbuds.
Main Unit
The unit itself is basically circular. The battery compartment (takes two AA batteries, which can last 20 hours according to the manual) is on the inside of the unit and is closed by a hinged door (no more losing the battery door and having to keep the batteries in place with tape!). This is a no-frills CD player (other than the Digital Out) with the same features you’d find on many portable CD players:
- Backlit LCD (purple/blue! Like the new VW dashboards)
- Program up to 99 tracks
- Shuffle, Shuffle Repeat All, Repeat 1, Repeat All, Scan plays the first 10 seconds of each track)
- 45 Second Skip Protection
- 2 levels of Bass (DBB1, DBB2, off)
- Plays CD-R and CD-RW discs
- “Hold” switch (locks all buttons) with “Resume” mode (starts CD where you previously stopped it)
- Battery level indicator on LCD (3-step)
- Volume control wheel. I actually like this analog volume control method better than digital control- also known as “+” and “-“ - as you can fine-tune the volume better. Alas, the volume on the AZ9225 does not go to “11” ;-]
But it’s missing this IMPORTANT feature:
- Display only shows Track Number and Time Elapsed, no selection for Time Remaining for track or entire disc (this omission sucks- was this too much to ask?)
MORE CONS:
- And to continue my criticism of the display, it's a little tough to read in low light or when there's too much light on it, and the backlight doesn't stay lit for very long
- I understand that a steady flow of electric current is essential for a digital transfer, but the fact that you can only use the digital out when the unit is plugged into an electrical socket defeats the portability of this unit (you can't use digital out with batteries only, as they may not provide the required steady current). At least this unit can operate via DC without any batteries in the unit- some electronic equipment requires this to complete the current.
Overall
For the price I paid for my AZ9225 and for what it delivers, I am quite satisfied (aside from the remote). It’s a good-looking, solid portable CD player. I will primarily use my AZ9225 to digitally record CDs while on the go (or at least near a wall socket!); I won’t be using this unit as a recreational portable player, as I would most likely use my portable MD player for listening to music (see my epinions on the Sony MZ-R900 and the Sony MZ-E44).
But at the end of the day... the AZ9225 SOUNDS great.
Thanks for reading, I hope this was informative.
regards*dom
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 44.00
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Epinions.com ID:
dominickalcid
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Member: Dominick Alcid
Location: DC Metro - USA
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 2 members
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