Sony CDP CX455 400 Disc MegaStorage CD Changer

OVERVIEW

                 With the CDP-CX455 mega changer from Sony, you can load up your 400 favorite CDs, and keep them ready for instant playback. Spin the twin front jog dials to maneuver your way to the desired disc and track, or use the included remote control. And you can take advantage of the random play mode for a surprise mix of your entire collection. For maximum playback flexibility, the CDP-CX455 handles CDs, audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs, and MP3 CDs. An MP3 disc can hold up to 10 times as much music as a regular CD, so you can transform your 400-disc mega changer into a virtual 4,000-disc super mega changer!

              With the CDP-CX455, it's easy to label and organize all your CDs for instant retrieval and playback. If a disc is pre-programmed with CD Text, the titles will automatically appear on the front-panel display. If not, you can enter titles manually with Disc Memo (and you can hook up an optional PS/2-compatible PC keyboard to make the job easier!). Once your discs are labeled, use Memo Search to scroll through the titles alphabetically or Memo Scan to search by location. And when you find the CD you're looking for, set it spinning with the touch of a button. The changer also includes 8 Artist Files, which gives you the ability to group discs together by the labels you assign to them.

              For those with big music collections, you can daisy chain two mega changers together via the Control A1-II jack for access to up to 800 CDs. Not only can you control the two units as one, but the pair requires only a single receiver input, and the second changer's disc titles appear on the front panel of the first. You can even crossfade between the two mega changers DJ-style!

Details:

• 400-disc changer
• plays CDs, audio CD-Rs & CD-RWs, and MP3 CDs
• optical digital output
• 32-track programming, repeat, & random play
• dual front-panel jog dials for disc/track selection
• Disc Memo for up to 600 CDs
• Memo Search and Memo Scan
• 8 Artist Files
• CD Text display
• input for a (PS/2-compatible) PC keyboard
• 13-character fluorescent display
• remote control
• Advanced Mega Control with No-Delay and X-Fade play
• Control A1-II
• 1-bit Hybrid Pulse D/A converter
• signal-to-noise ratio 108 dB
• 16-7/8"W x 7-1/2"H x 21-1/4"D
• warranty: 1 year

SPECIFICATION

General
Disc Capacity	400
Disc Exchange	No
Track Programming	32
Random Play	Single Disc  All Discs
Disc Naming	Yes
Direct Track Access	Yes
Direct Disc Access	Yes
Remote	Included
Display Color	White
Multiple CD Player Control	Yes
Parts Warranty	1 Year
Labor Warranty	1 Year
Compatibility
CD-R Playback	Yes
CD-RW Playback	Yes
MP3 Playback	Yes
SACD Playback	No
Specifications
CD Frequency Response	20-20k Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio	108 dB
SACD Frequency Response	Not Compatible
SACD Dynamic Range	---
SACD THD	---
Outputs
Digital Optical Output	1
Digital Coaxial Output	None
Headphone	None

REVIEW

3 out of 5 

Good library organizer 
Written By IGO, Las Vegas on Sunday, December 14, 2008 

I bought a lot of new gear at the same time so I'm still tinkering and tweeking 6 weekends later. I did find an old PS2 type keyboard and I'm looking forward to cataloging the CDs in it. I'm glad this can be done with an external keyboard but why not a USB keyboard conection instead of this hard to find and outdated keyboard? 
This unit has to be turned off when watching home theatre as the blue light is so bright it's distracting. 
One huge issue I have with this unit, and an issue it shares with the superior Sony ES SACD SCD-C2000ES is that they both share many of the same commands on a remote. The 400 disc changer is my house wide background player but the ES SACD is my sit down listener yet they both compete for the remotes commands. This is a real pain and if I can't find a way to re-code the power on and power off commands it might the 400 disc library player un-plugged. 
Now for something positive. It shuffles the materials, finds it and plays just fine and it looks cool in my set-up. 

1 out of 5 

Disappointing quality, 2 units dead in 6 yrs 
Written By Damian, Miramar, FL on Sunday, December 07, 2008 

I bought the 300 CD unit about 6 years ago and loved the utility of it. In the pre-MP3 days it was great to have all your music loaded and ready to go. It lasted about 4 years then stopped loading CDs. I chalked it up to just a bad unit. 

I bought the 400 CD unit about 2 years ago to replace the original. Just yesterday during a party, the unit stopped playing CDs. It refuses to spin the CDs after they are loaded. Bummer for the party. Bummer for Sony component quality. 

5 out of 5 

Sony CD Player 
Written By Bob, San Marcos, Calif. on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 

I purchased the Sony and have set it up. I am very please with the performance and look forward to playing music I like and relax. Your fine professional assistance is appreciated. Bob 

4 out of 5 

HUGE! 
Written By Ed, Indiana on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 

Really convenient, but be sure to look closely at the exterior dimensions before you buy. This box is huge and will not fit in the same space (length) as the rest of your SONY stuff.