HOTT C204 Basic Portable CD Player with Anti-Skip Protection - AA Battery Powered, Compact CD Players MP3/CD-R Compatible, Built-in Headphones & AUX Output for Car

I have had Hott CD players in the past. Returned one, gave one away and kept the one I am using now (for years) and I'm still using (the HOTT 511 model), plus this new one the HOTT CD204 Portable CD Player. The old one still works fine. Just worried CD players may go the way of the dodo bird so I wanted a spare. I only use the CD player to listen to music CDs I burned myself, and in the dark, before I go to sleep at night. I do not use it in the car (I still have one built in) and I don't use it to listen to audio books preferring hardcovers. That being said, I also don't use ear buds, ever, on any gizmo so this review doesn't include what came with the player. I have a regular set of Vogek headphones (no problems with using them in the CD 204 but initially didn't go in all the way, had to push) and I prefer regular batteries to rechargeable ones so can't speak to recharging batteries. There are only a few things where I prefer my older HOTT CD player and that is having the volume control on the side (because I listen in the dark) of the CD player and the CD player playing no matter how it is held or placed. The CD 204 shut down immediately when I turned it upside down to read the model number but since I listen in a recliner and don't go hunting for model numbers every time I use it, that scenario won't happen again, anyway. If your CD player doesn't work at all, make sure your batteries clicked into place and are facing in the correct direction. I made that "batteries not clicking in fully" mistake but it was the first thing I checked. Having had the older model, didn't need to look at any directions to start using it. There are more sound quality options on the CD 204 and the old options aren't the same on the new one. Example: I like treble in my music CDs. That was the Jazz setting on my old Hott. On this one, Jazz doesn't achieve it. I use Pop for more treble. Again, a preference, not a problem. The screen is well lit, initially, then goes dark (assume it's to conserve battery power like my cameras). The older model did not have a bright screen. The sound quality on the CD 204 is very good and I'm borderline hard of hearing. If you have an older HOTT cd player, the symbols on the buttons aren't hard to figure out. The + and - is for volume control (not on the older model where you had a rotating dial on the side) and instead of using the arrow pointing right with the up and down 2 parallel lines to turn it on, there is now a button with a power symbol but you would figure that out, anyway. Hold the power button down until the screen lights up, don't just click it. The EQ/DR button is how you choose the the sound type. I suggest you try them all (keep clicking that EQ/DR button with CD playing) until you find the one you like. How long it lasts only time will tell but so far, I like it a lot based on sound quality

am pleasantly surprised by the sound quality in a player this inexpensive. It’s no Bose system, but then it didn’t cost an arm and a leg either. As for the device itself, it’s an unobtrusive size and design that doesn’t draw attention to itself on the table.There are two things I don’t like: first, the door you have to open in order to load/unload the CD is a really bad design. It barely opens far enough to get the CD in, and you have to maneuver it in by sliding it up from the bottom of the barely-opened door. Fortunately you can just lay the player flat on its back and that makes the process easier. And second, the instructions are minimal at best. I had to contact the company to find out how to advance to a selected track on the CD without pushing the ‘next’ arrow repeatedly (in the case of one CD I needed to get to track 61!—don’t ask…). The company answered my question within an hour (Press the track number on the keypad on the remote. Something I should have guessed I suppose, but a word in the Instructions would have been welcome.) In addition, there was no instruction to press the ‘next’ arrow once to skip forward and hold it down to scan forward. Again, easy enough to eventually figure out, but a pain to have to do so when two sentences in the Instructions could have cleared up that mystery immediately.Once I learned how to perform the functions I needed, I was very satisfied and I’m glad I bought the player. The company’s rapid response to my question was a plus. So, overall I recommend the player

Volume at top level is still low when kids use in the car.

The sound is clear. Easy to use. Plays well without skipping.

I wish I could give 2 ratings. One rating for delivery and the second for the product. Delivery service is excellent. My purchase was delivered on the day promised and within the time frame given. Delivery rates 5 stars.The CD player deserves a 1 star rating. I purchased the CD player to listen to relaxation CDs to help me fall asleep. The volume control has no memory of previous settings. When I turn on the CD player the volume is at the highest level. Not the much lower level that I had selected when I used the CD player the night before. I either have to fumble around in the dark to find the volume control button or turn on a light so I can find the button. Not very relaxing! The very old CD player ( that this one replaced) retained the volume level that I set from the beginning. Every time I turned it on, there was no recording blasting in my ears. Now I wish that I hadn't dropped the old CD player on the floor and caused its demise. The H. O. T. T. CD player is useless to me. I only use it when I am desperate to fall asleep.This is advertised as being sold by an American owned company. That may be true, but the product cannot be made in America. The directions are not clear and are written in stilted English. They are written and/or translated by someone for whom English is a second language.I would not have bought this product if I known about the volume control setting. If you want a CD player to play relaxation CDs, DO NOT buy this CD player.

I am very happy with this purchase! The cd player is as described but most importantly, it sounds very good. I am using a AKH K511 headphone ( purchased last year for $9.79 each from Amazon, Thanks for that ) and find the JAZZ EQ preset sounds the best for the type of music I listen to the most. I find the controls easy to use and lit lcd screen is small but easy to see. Since I received this only yesterday, which is 2 days ahead of the estimated ETA, I will know for sure in the next 6 months how durable this unit will be. So far, YES I do recommend this HOTT CD204 cd player for purchase for a simple personal portable cd player!