Tascam
Tascam CD-500 Rackmount Professional CD Player
★★★★★
Professional Audio Playback in a Streamlined DesignThe Tascam CD-500 is a rackmount CD player designed for professional use, offering reliable playback and versatile control options. Ideal for installations, touring, and houses of worship where space is at a premium. Mechanism: Slot-loading mech...
$275.99*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Professional Audio Playback in a Streamlined Design
The Tascam CD-500 is a rackmount CD player designed for professional use, offering reliable playback and versatile control options. Ideal for installations, touring, and houses of worship where space is at a premium.
- Mechanism: Slot-loading mechanism for reliable disc handling.
- Outputs: RCA unbalanced output, Optical and Coaxial S/PDIF digital outputs.
- Playback Modes: All, single, random, A/B and 99-track program play.
- Control: Incremental play, fader start, Call/return to last play point, fade in/out, power on play.
- Supported Formats: MP3 and WAV file playback from CD-ROM.
Key Features
Slot-loading mechanism
RCA unbalanced output
Optical and Coaxial S/PDIF digital outputs
All, single, random, A/B and 99-track program play
Incremental play
Specifications
Mechanism
Slot-loading
Analog Output
RCA unbalanced
Digital Outputs
Optical S/PDIF, Coaxial S/PDIF
Playback Modes
All, Single, Random, A/B, 99-track program
Special Features
Incremental play
Product Type
Rackmount Professional CD Player
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Features a slot-loading mechanism, which offers a sleek design and protects discs from accidental damage during loading in a busy studio environment.
- Equipped with RCA unbalanced outputs, providing standard connectivity for integration into most professional and home audio systems.
- Includes both Optical and Coaxial S/PDIF digital outputs, allowing for high-quality digital audio transmission to compatible DACs or recording interfaces.
- Offers versatile playback modes including all, single, random, A/B, and a 99-track program play, providing extensive control over audio playback sequences.
- Supports incremental play, enabling precise cueing and short segment playback, which is beneficial for auditions or detailed audio work.
👎 Cons
- The use of RCA unbalanced outputs means it is more susceptible to noise over longer cable runs compared to balanced XLR connections.
- Lacks a USB input or network connectivity, limiting its use for playback from modern digital media files or streaming services.
- Specific details regarding its DAC quality, sampling rate, or signal-to-noise ratio are not provided.
- The slot-loading mechanism, while convenient, does not offer visibility of the disc label once inserted.
- Does not include front-panel headphone output, making quick monitoring without a mixing console or interface less convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Tascam CD-500 use a traditional disc tray or a slot-loading mechanism?
The Tascam CD-500 features a slot-loading mechanism for inserting and ejecting CDs, which is often preferred in rackmount units for its space efficiency and durability.
What type of analog audio outputs are available on this professional CD player?
This unit is equipped with RCA unbalanced outputs, providing a standard connection for integrating into various audio systems.
Does the CD-500 offer digital audio output options?
Yes, for digital signal integrity, the Tascam CD-500 includes both optical and coaxial S/PDIF digital outputs.
What playback modes are supported by this CD player?
The CD-500 supports multiple playback modes, including all, single, random, A/B repeat, and 99-track program play, offering flexibility for different applications.
Does this unit have a feature for precise cueing or starting playback?
Yes, it includes an incremental play feature, which can be useful for precise cueing in professional audio environments.
Can this CD player be installed into a standard audio rack?
The "Rackmount Professional CD Player" in its title indicates it is designed for installation into standard audio equipment racks.
Is the Tascam CD-500 designed for casual home use or professional applications?
Given its "Professional CD Player" designation and features like rackmounting and various playback modes, it is geared towards professional audio environments such as studios, broadcast, or live sound.
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