Panasonic SL-CT520 Portable CD / MP3 Player with D.Sound Technology

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 12.2 x 3.2 inches ; 6.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007RA6MS
• Item model number: SL-CT520
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Measuring just under an inch thick and weighing a mere 5.5 ounces, this Panasonic personal CD player is a great fit whether you're working out at the gym, commuting on the train, or listening at home in the bedroom. The cover boasts a sleek, high-tech appearance that's complemented by a matching remote, which lets listeners control the device with their thumbs while exercising. More significantly, the CD player plays more than just audio CDs, with compatibility for both CD-R/RW discs and compressed MP3 files burned onto a CD-R/RW. The expanded playback options give users access to far more of their digital music library each time they leave the house. Active users will also appreciate the anti-skip protection and its related backup memory function, which combine to ensure a disruption-free listening experience even while jogging or driving.

At the core of the SL-CT520's audio performance is Panasonic's advanced D.sound technology, which comprises four main components: a digital amplifier that reduces distortion for a clearer overall sound; the bass-enhancing capacity of S-XBS super bass boost and the digital audio gain control; and an MP3 remastering function that restores much of the lost fidelity of compressed MP3 audio files. The system also includes six equalizer presets to further enhance the audio experience, and features such playback options as 20-track programming (track or disc), repeat play, and random play.

Also impressive is the CD player's extra-long playback times, which extend up to 155 hours for MP3s and 86 hours for CDs. To enjoy the full times, merely pop a pair of AAA alkaline batteries in the main compartment and a pair of AA alkalines in the included external battery case. The device also comes with a pair of Panasonic's WrapIt stereo headphones.

What's in the Box
CD player, remote control, WrapIt headphones, external battery case, warranty, user's manual.

Product Description

Panasonic SL-CT520 Portable CD/MP3 Player - The SL-CT520 takes digital music to the max for excellent sound and pleasure.. In addition to playing virtually any CD, you can also play CD's that you've recorded with MP3 files from your computer. Enjoy hours of MP3 music from any CD with MP3 files. 6-key remote Control with detachable plug CD round form design with LCD on top cover Up to 60-hours of playback (in MP3 mode) with two AAA alkaline batteries or up to 155 hours play when two AAA and 2 AA batteries are used - AA batteries fit into an external holder (batteries are not included) No-skip anti-skip system (backup memory - 45 sec. for CD-DA and 100 sec. (at 128kbps) for MP3 playback) Heat-resistant polycarbonate body Slide-lock full open top cover

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Panasonic's D-Sound technology is not just hype!, November 9, 2005

By 

J L - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic SL-CT520 Portable CD / MP3 Player with D.Sound Technology (Electronics)

Overview: Fantastic sound from a small device. Very light - weighs about the same as 2 CD cases. No vibration when CD is playing. I bought this player over the Sony models because this featured 3D-stereo and mp3 remastering (upsampling), and it is worth it! Made of plastic, however the design shows quality as all the parts and buttons fit together precisely. Buy this for $44 and you will not regret it.

Pros: Using high-end Sony Studio MDR 7506 headphones -- Fantastic sound. Deep, but clean bass on Extra bass setting. Clear highs and a very balanced and natural uncolored sound quality.
3D-stereo setting gives a natural spaciousness without sounding artificial. Sounds like a high-end Solid State stereo system when playing regular CD's. Sounds like a high-end Tube/Solid State stereo system when playing mp3s on the remastering (upsampling) setting. Recognizes mp3 folders.
Mp3 remastering (upsampling) feature makes even low bit-rate songs sound practically like the original CD recording.

Cons: Will fast forward/rewind through a song on a regular CD, but will not fast forward/rewind through a song in mp3 format. (If you will need to fast forward/rewind through long files, be sure to burn them to disc as a regular audio CD, and not mp3). Turning on the mp3 remastering (upsampling) feature lowers the battery life somewhat. ID3 mp3 tagging does not seem to be implemented on this model CD player, as mp3's did not show the song or artist name.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This cd player makes 64k/s .mp3's sound ike CD quality!!, October 21, 2005

By 

Phyllis Anderson "audiophilliac" (Chicago, Il, 60015) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic SL-CT520 Portable CD / MP3 Player with D.Sound Technology (Electronics)

I dunno about the rest of you people but I really wanted to test the mp3 remast ering feature od this cd player. First, I [...] dowbloaded a lo-fi 64k/sec .mp3 file of the same song, burned them to an audio/.mp3 CD and then compared them by listening to them. I was simply DUMBfounded at how close this wimpy little lowest bitrate .mpe coul d sound sooo close to the "lossless" audio file which I downloaded. This is Amazing, from now on I am going to use this over my 20GB .mp3 player BECAUSE IT DOSEN'T HAVE THIS FEATURE. I can throw 300 songs on 1 cd and have one for every day of the year!, I am a musician/sound-engineer and I this this is the greatest thing since sliced bread, if you are going to buy a .mp3 player or a cd plyer (like this one) make shure it has D-sound. This is the only brand in mp3 players I will buy in the future! GET THIS CD PLAYER for $40 and see for yourself, I am hooked. Plus with both battery compartments installed it'll play for 144 hours in .mp3 format that's like 6 days of continuous listening of of 2AAA's and 2AA's!!!! DONT LISTEN TO ANY OF THESE OTHER sound challenged individuals!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome cd player, March 15, 2005

By 

a pen name "the worst reviewer on amazon" (Take your best guess) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic SL-CT520 Portable CD / MP3 Player with D.Sound Technology (Electronics)

ok so if ur reading this cd review then your amoung the many who can't afford the massivly overpriced ipods (200 bucks give me a break !)and ur looking for something to listen tomusicon untill the day whenthey become affordable. if so, for an mp3 cd player this is quite a buy here are the pros and cons.


Pros
1) great sound quality
2)panasonnic finally got the idea of the live sound gizmo (you can hear the vocals!), but it's now called the 3d feature.
3) it's got this new A/B feature that lets you jump between 2 points in a song.
4) it has a programming feature that allows you to play up to 20 songs in a cd in any order you want
5) there is a new train setting thatsounds real cool
6) its really thin and compact
7) although it runs on aaa batteries it has a aa charger if all u got are those.

cons.

1)the buttons are kinda small ( i don't mind but some may)
2) it's slightly complicated to use
3) that screen that shows you track#, elapsed time, and battery reading is on he remote nt the cd player along withthe buttons for everything except for volume, skip, play, and pause, so your pretty screwed if u lose it

so overall although there are a couple of minor setbacks overall it's a pretty good cd player. it has some other features but i don't really get those. considering this is the only customer review so far i hope this is helpful