JVC XL-FZ158BK 5-CD Changer

Other products by JVC

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 15.3 x 5.1 inches ; 11.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RD88
• Item model number: XL-FZ158BK
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,180 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

JVC's XL-FZ158BK combines minimal features with surprisingly good sound in a five-CD changer that lists for well below $200. It's a tremendous value--as long as you can live without a remote control. Some will immediately bar the XL-FZ158BK from consideration for having no remote control, but the XL-FZ158BK's sound is so good that you might think about how often you actually use a CD remote (especially with a changer) before dismissing this player from consideration.

In our experience, CD changers do not sound as good as their single-disc counterparts. The reason is simple: it's easier to make a stable transport mechanism, which does affect the sound, in a single-play unit than it is in a multiplay. That said, the XL-FZ158BK is an impressive performer. It's well balanced and smooth, with a laid-back high-frequency response that we attribute to JVC's proprietary 1-bit digital-to-analog converter. (To our ears, this is preferable to the bright high-end we've heard on other modestly priced machines.) The midrange, where the heart of music lies, is the XL-FZ158BK's most notable strength. Vocals and instruments such as piano and cello have fine presence and a sense of openness that consistently pull you into the music.

In the features department, the XL-FZ158BK offers just the basics. Play exchange allows you to replace up to four discs while a fifth is playing, and you get the usual play, program, track skip, random play, and--a feature we love--a headphone jack with a volume control.

An optical digital output allows connection to a digital recorder such as minidisc or CD, but also lets you integrate the XL-FZ158BK with a surround receiver. We would have preferred a higher-quality coaxial output, but optical is better than nothing.

JVC has done a fine balancing act with the XL-FZ158BK, and it certainly deserves your consideration--assuming you don't mind getting up from your chair to operate it. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Good sound
• Solid value
• Headphone jack has volume control

Cons:

• No remote control
• Slightly deemphasized high frequencies
• No coaxial digital output

Product Description

The XL-FZ158BK five-disc carousel changer provides hours of uninterrupted musical enjoyment. The five-disc carousel design with play & exchange lets the user change up to four discs while one more is being played.A fiber optic digital output makes it easy to connect to a CD-R/CDR-W or Mini Disc for great digital recording. Continuous play, "Smart" random play, and program play of up to 32 steps provide flexible listening options. JVC's acclaimed 1-bit P.E.M. D/D Converter system assures the absolute best musical fidelity. 8x oversampling combines excellent phase linearity with superb suppression of digital noise, resulting in better and more natural sound and imaging. Compu Link control system is included for easy operation when used with other matching JVC components. Enhanced Compu-Link Control lets JVC receivers and other JVC components work together seamlessly. For instance, when you touch the PLAY button on this JVC CD changer, the receiver automatically turns on and selects the proper input, and play begins.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great 5 Disc for a JVC System, July 17, 2000

By	john m davis (Tempe, Az United States) - See all my reviews

I found this unit to be of excellent quaility like all JVC products. The unit does not come with a remote. It is accessed through JVC's Compu Link using the remote ,in my case, with my JVC Receiver. Sound is excellent and the optical output is a plus. I would recommend this product for anyone with a JVC Receiver.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great product but shoddy workmanship, August 22, 2000

By	Neel Gandhi (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I agree with most that has been said about this player: the sound was excellent, its features were easy to use, and truth be told I didn't mind not having a remote. But the unit arrived shoddily put together, in particular the disc tray, and within hours of setting it up the tray stuck. I don't know whether this is an isolated incident or not, but I can't recommend for that reason.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gizmo!, August 29, 2001

By	Christopher Colhard "ccolhard" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this JVC CD changer. Sounds great and works flawlessly. Only downside is that it does NOT come with a remote so if you don't have a JVC receiver to hook it to (with compulink system) in order to use one remote, I'd suggest another model.