Technics SL-MC4 60+1 CD Changer

by Technics

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 18 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000K0JE
• Item model number: SL-MC4
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,495 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Large-capacity CD changers are among the best bargains in today's audio market, and Technics is one of a handful of companies responsible for bringing them to a broad consumer base. The LS-MC4 61-disc changer/player is a well-crafted component that fits neatly into an entertainment rack while offering just enough storage capacity to keep most music lovers content.

This handsome player defies the "jukebox" description of many changers, measuring as it does less than seven inches high (with a standard width). The entire front-panel lifts down manually to reveal all 61 slots, with slot 1 reserved for single-disc play only. We were impressed with the build quality of the door mechanism, which slides down gently but firmly and doesn't appear prone to breakage. This mega-changer includes an optical-digital output for connecting to an outboard digital-to-analog converter or an surround receiver or processor with digital inputs.

We connected the LS-MC4 to an outboard digital-to-analog converter with a Toslink optical cable, plugged it in, slipped a CD in the single-disc slot, hit play, and whistled the tune of simplicity.

Since programming features can be rather complicated with today's computer-reliant changers, operating instructions are a must-read. Technics deserves credit for providing well-written, concise instructions on the multitude of programming options, including how to categorize discs by music genre (choose from 14, from Ballads to Oldies) and how to input customized text to identify discs (though a growing number of discs offer CD Text, which displays track and artist information automatically).

It took approximately 90 minutes to read the instructions and become comfortable with inputting text using both the remote control and the front-panel numeric keypads, which include letters just like a phone. It took a few trial-runs to get the procedure down, which was encumbered by the computer's 7-second limit to perform text entries. Once we got the hang of it, however, we had the procedure memorized after about half-a-dozen discs.

Obviously, programming 60 CDs is cumbersome and requires an afternoon of leisure time, but it's well-worth the effort, since it eliminates the task of searching for the right CD in a five-foot display rack or, worse, shuffling through the changer in search of a specific title. Once this mega-changer is armed and loaded, it brings added pleasure to general music listening, not to mention parties.

The LS-MC4 should top of any host's list of must-have electronics, since it can play a weekend worth of music with the touch of a button. Although sound quality doesn't seem to be a priority in mega-CD changers, the LS-MC4 is more than adequate for most music lovers, particularly when taking advantage of the fiber-optic audio output. Kudos to Technics for simplifying today's large-capacity CD changers with the LS-MC4.

Pros:

• Good build quality
• Easy to program
• Compact size
• Well-designed remote control

Cons:

• Cumbersome to access CDs quickly

Product Description

60+1 CD changer, digital optical output, CD text search adn scrolling text display. Text edit function, phone-style 10 key enter pad, Quick disc change mechanism. Front loading mechanism allows to play one disc while changing another. Quick single play system, 14 preset grouping files.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good only if you're using it temporarily, June 19, 2002

By 

Team Noodles (Chisholm, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technics SL-MC4 60+1 CD Changer (Electronics)

(I write this review and refer to both the SL-MC4 and it's 110+1 disc counterpart the SL-MC7)

I originally bought a Technics mega changer for two reasons:

1. Cool features such as direct disc and track acces from remote AND from the unit itself as well as .

2. The reputation of Panasonic and their Technics line.

Well, their reputation is a bit mis-leading. These units did last past their warranties, but not too long after. The problems I have had with these include: playing the wrong disc from the wrong slot (example: I select disc 43, and it plays the disc in slot 42.), and when I would select a track towards the end of a disc, and it would skip at the beginning of that track. Now, it will barely play to the end of the disc. At 5 minutes into the last track on a disc, it suddenly skipped back to 4:21.

I thought this was maybe just a problem localized in one changer or perhaps one model, but then, the EXACT same thing occured with the SL-MC7.

As for sound quality, it is pretty much standard. Don't expect any "super sound quality". Also, I have noticed a significant incompatibility with many CDR's.

Like I said before, there are some nice features on these changers, but they're not worth the trouble I've had with these units. It is best to buy either of these changers only if:

A. You don't use it all that often. (I listen to music at least 3-4 hours out of a day.)

B. You're using it as maybe a back-up changer or some other temporary use.

I give this two stars mainly because I do give Panasonic credit for the features incorporated into these changers. I wish other companies had direct disc and track access from the unit as well as the remote.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Got suckered TWICE!, May 27, 2002

By 

Patricia Hopkins (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technics SL-MC4 60+1 CD Changer (Electronics)

I bought my first Technics 60+1 CD changer about 5 years ago in the States and then moved overseas. It worked well for over 4 years, until I moved BACK to the States (the process of moving overseas involves all of your possessions being shipped over the ocean on a week-long barge trip). When I hooked up my system back in the States, it would not read any of my CD's. I chalked this up to the rough trips it had been through over the ocean, even though I packed it in its original packing and box. Wanting to stay with Technics (all of my stereo components are Technics), I tried it again. THIS time, I had the SL-MC4 60+1 CD player for about 13 months.... and it was never shipped overseas. It was working one day, and then suddenly it wouldn't read any CD's.

I will not buy another Technics 60+1 changer. I'm not sure now if I should even stick with a Technics CD player of any kind...or at least not worry about being able to store a multitude of CD's in the player and just get one that plays 5 CD's....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Junk, October 17, 2001

By 

gklein (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technics SL-MC4 60+1 CD Changer (Electronics)

I bought one of these: it failed after about one week. Wouldn't play in "random", and I couldn't get the unit turned off or extract my CDs. I rated it one star only because there is not a lower rating.