CD player desired

[Shilohboy]

Hello all. I am new here. I just replaced my Legacy with a 2025 Forester Touring, which, of course, has no CD player. I have many thousands of CDs and would like to continue to use them. I have researched on the web, and the more I read, the more confused I am. I'm aware that CDs are declining as a format, but they are the format I want and the resolution and ease that I desire, and I guess that I am surprised that there is not a market for CD players in cars. I can't help to think that there are other audiophiles out there, with large collections of CDs, that also want to use them. I see a number of CD decks online, but they all seem to not work for this or that reason. I am pretty sure that there is a player for my needs out there somewhere, but I don't know what or where it would be. Is there a kind soul out there that can offer any advice, or any knowledge of this problem? Can someone please point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated. -- Shilohboy

 

[hubops]

I must be missing something ? .. Amazon has auto CD players that are USB connected and USB powered. This link is just an example : https://www.amazon.com/ASENCH-Universal-External-Portable-Navigation/dp/B0CP2M7MYS?th=1

 

[Shilohboy]

I must be missing something ? .. Amazon has auto CD players that are USB connected and USB powered. This link is just an example : https://www.amazon.com/ASENCH-Universal-External-Portable-Navigation/dp/B0CP2M7MYS?th=1

For some reasons that I don't fully understand, not all players will play in all cars. There seem to be a variety of reasons, but that does not clearly indicate which one(s) will work in my Forester. I tried a friend's...didn't work. I read reviews that said some would work in some, but not all, cars. The dealer told me he did not know of any options. I am simply unable to find a source that says what will work in a 2025 Subaru Forester. I took a risk and ordered one on Amazon that says it will work in "most" cars. I am expecting that it won't work, but with Amazon you can always return it. Do I buy all the models and see if any of them work? That doesn't sound practical, and it's not fair to Amazon. That's why I am askng if anyone has had that "Eureka!" moment and found one that will work, and be kind enough to tell me what that model is. Thanks for your response!

 

[hubops]

Yep. So many variables ! Even the music CDs - old vs new formats .. The player must be able to recognize & play them _PLUS_ the car's "radio" system must be able to communicate with the player .. Good Luck. I also was a music cd user until my 2024 Forester .. I simply loaded a _ton_ of music into folders < folders that make sense to me > onto a $ 10. usb memory stick and I leave it in the car. All the music is backed-up on the laptop hard drive and on a terra-byte back-up drive - so if the memory stick goes bad or lost - it's a simple job to create a new one. Navigating the car's touch-screen for the music folders is _not_ something to do while driving .. whereas I felt pretty comfortable changing out a CD while driving, in my last car ..

 

[perturbo67]

Does the Forester have a min-RCA input (looks like a headphone jack)? If so, you can get a cable that runs from the headphone jack on any portable CD player to the Forester's min-RCA input. This will work with any CD player.
The USB connector is sending digital signals to the Forester, and that can be a compatibility problem. The RCA connection is analog--the sound won't be as good as with a digital connection, but anything that the CD player can play will play just fine in the car.

 

[exgoalie]

Hello all. I am new here. I just replaced my Legacy with a 2025 Forester Touring, which, of course, has no CD player. I have many thousands of CDs and would like to continue to use them. I have researched on the web, and the more I read, the more confused I am. I'm aware that CDs are declining as a format, but they are the format I want and the resolution and ease that I desire, and I guess that I am surprised that there is not a market for CD players in cars. I can't help to think that there are other audiophiles out there, with large collections of CDs, that also want to use them. I see a number of CD decks online, but they all seem to not work for this or that reason. I am pretty sure that there is a player for my needs out there somewhere, but I don't know what or where it would be. Is there a kind soul out there that can offer any advice, or any knowledge of this problem? Can someone please point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated. -- Shilohboy

I'm with you! Before my 2019 Impreza that has a single disc CD player, my 2005 Corolla had a 6 disc player!!! I will never go to mp3s or whatever to play in my car. Only thing I can suggest is a portable CD player that can be connected to your car's audio system via a USB port. I've seen that suggested on the net. Not a great solution but should work.

 

[keith3267]

I too have a large CD collection, but I do not like to carry them in my car. I like having a hard copy of all my music, I.e. CD, vinyl, tape etc. and I copy them to a thumb drive for my vehicles.

Vehicles are never a great listening environment so the small loss of quality between a CD and a high bit rate MP3 isn't noticeable, and once you go to a USB stick laid out the way you like, you find it far more convenient.

I especially like this drive as it is very hard to see and does not stick out in the way.

Amazon.com

 

[exgoalie]

I too have a large CD collection, but I do not like to carry them in my car. I like having a hard copy of all my music, I.e. CD, vinyl, tape etc. and I copy them to a thumb drive for my vehicles.

Vehicles are never a great listening environment so the small loss of quality between a CD and a high bit rate MP3 isn't noticeable, and once you go to a USB stick laid out the way you like, you find it far more convenient.

I especially like this drive as it is very hard to see and does not stick out in the way.

Amazon.com

I have WAY too many CDs...which sounds like the original poster does too..it'd take way too much time to transfer all of them. But kudos to all who undertake such a task!

 

[Shilohboy]

I found one that works in my 2025 Subaru Forester Touring. I got it on Amazon. It is made by a company called POSSPO, and the model is called Jupitor. I have Android car play, and my vehicle will recognize and play WAV files.This appears to be an important requirement. I found that info in the car's owner's manual. Not all cars can play all CD players and formats. There is a list on Amazon that explains the requirements. It plays regular commercially produced CDs. I don't know if it will play other types of CDs, or other file formats. The only connection I used was the USB cord. It comes with several options for connection, and has a remote control, all included. I get the impression that the seller is receptive to questions if you are unsure of anything, or need help setting it up. For me, it was simple to setup and use, and it seems to work very well.

 

[Neil L]

Hello all. I am new here. I just replaced my Legacy with a 2025 Forester Touring, which, of course, has no CD player. I have many thousands of CDs and would like to continue to use them. I have researched on the web, and the more I read, the more confused I am. I'm aware that CDs are declining as a format, but they are the format I want and the resolution and ease that I desire, and I guess that I am surprised that there is not a market for CD players in cars. I can't help to think that there are other audiophiles out there, with large collections of CDs, that also want to use them. I see a number of CD decks online, but they all seem to not work for this or that reason. I am pretty sure that there is a player for my needs out there somewhere, but I don't know what or where it would be. Is there a kind soul out there that can offer any advice, or any knowledge of this problem? Can someone please point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated. -- Shilohboy

 

[Neil L]

I just ordered mine for my 2024 Forester Touring. The 2025 is listed as well. I contacted this vendor prior to ordering and this was his recommendation.

PRO STAR CarPlay USB CD Player 2019-2025 Subaru Forester

Description PRO STAR CarPlay USB CD Player 2019-2025 Subaru Forester No CD Player in your car? No problem- ProStar has one for you! Automobile manufacturers no longer include built-in CD players in their vehicles, but many people prefer to listen to music on their favorite CDs. ProStar offers a...

www.autopartstoys.com

 

[Dick Foster]

I should find a CD to test the player in my 2021 forester touring. It's got one but I've never tried it because all of my CDs are packed away for the move. That is if I can ever sell this house. Anybody waana buy a house? It's a good one thats in great shape. LOL