How to Test a CD Player
Testing a used CD player for major internal problems before purchase requires professional tools that often are expensive and hard to use. Consumers can check for basic problems on their own to determine whether a CD player is worth buying, assuming they have a basic knowledge of how to connect and use audio components.
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Instructions
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Plug the CD player into a wall outlet and turn it on. Without putting a CD in the player, press the different function buttons on the front panel to make sure they do not stick or move incorrectly when pressed.
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Look for lights that should be on but are not. If the CD player has a digital meter on the front panel that looks like a VU meter, there should be a light that turns on.
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Connect an amplifier and speakers as normal. Turn the volume up to a moderate level on the amplifier.
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Connect the audio output of the CD player to the input of the stereo amplifier with a stereo RCA cable. Listen for buzzing after the cables have been plugged into the back of the CD player. This could represent damaged input electronics, which are generally fairly expensive to repair properly, especially if the CD player was not built recently.
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Put a CD that you are familiar with into the CD player. Begin playing the disc and listen to the audio, focusing on the high-end sound. If the high-end sounds particularly tinny, this generally means that the CD player is of fairly low quality, assuming you are using familiar components to test the item.
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Unplug the cables on the back of the CD player connecting it to the amplifier. Plug right or red RCA cable into the right input and listen. Plug the same cable into the left input and listen for any differences in volume level. If one channel is quieter than the other, the CD player probably has a damaged channel.
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Tips & Warnings
In many cases, replacing a broken light in a CD player is fairly simple and not expensive to do. However, it can be a sign of wear on the machine, especially if there is other surface damage, such as scratches or dents to the casing, which may show that the CD player was poorly taken care of by the previous owner or owners.
Most amplifiers and CD players can be tested with a stereo RCA cable. However, some devices require ¼-inch or other types of cabling.
References
Resources
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