Sony CDP-C260Z 5-Disc Carousel CD Changer w/ Optical Out

Sony CDP-C260Z 5-Disc Carousel CD Changer w/ Optical Out, CD-R Compatible

A good-cosmetic-condition Sony CDP-C260Z 5-disc carousel CD changer — a flexible, reliable, late-1990s Sony multi-disc player with the genuinely useful and somewhat uncommon ability to play CD-R discs, plus Sony’s Disc Ex-Change feature, High Density Linear Converter D/A circuitry, and an optical digital output for connection to an external DAC.

The CDP-C260Z is a well-built example of Sony’s late-1990s carousel-style 5-disc changer, and it remains one of the most practical formats for anyone with a working CD collection: load five discs, choose any track on any disc, and let the player handle the rest. Sony’s Disc Ex-Change feature is the headline workflow advantage — four of the five disc trays can be swapped out while the fifth continues to play, allowing for genuinely uninterrupted listening sessions across as many discs as the listener cares to load.

The most important capability of this particular player for many buyers in 2026: confirmed CD-R playback. Many CD changers of this vintage cannot reliably read CD-R or CD-RW discs (the laser pickups and read-mode firmware were optimized for pressed commercial discs), and a player that handles CD-Rs cleanly is a genuinely uncommon and valuable find — especially for collectors who have years of home-burned compilations, archival rips, or out-of-print bootlegs that exist only on CD-R media. This unit has been bench-confirmed to play CD-Rs reliably.

Audio quality is genuinely strong for a player at this price point. The High Density Linear Converter D/A stage delivers a 98 dB dynamic range, 102 dB signal-to-noise ratio, and 0.0045% total harmonic distortion — specifications that hold up well even against considerably more expensive single-disc players, and that make the C260Z fully suitable as the primary CD source in any quality two-channel or home-theatre system. An optical digital output also allows the player to be used as a transport feeding an external DAC, bypassing the internal D/A entirely and letting any future DAC upgrade extract the most from the CD source.

Connectivity is straightforward: stereo RCA analogue line output, optical digital output, S-Link control input, second-CD-player input for daisy-chaining a second changer, and a switchable command-mode selector that allows up to three Sony CD players to be controlled by a single remote in a multi-player setup.

This particular unit is in good cosmetic condition, with the typical light handling marks consistent with careful use and no significant blemishes to the front panel, top, or sides.

This Sony CDP-C260Z has undergone our Level One service and testing which should ensure many more years of reliable performance ahead.

Product highlights:

5-disc carousel CD changer with Sony Disc Ex-Change

Confirmed CD-R compatible (uncommon for this class of player)

High Density Linear Converter D/A circuitry

Optical digital output for external DAC use

Sony KSS-213BA laser assembly (well-supported, reliable)

Multi-mode playback: continuous, shuffle, program, repeat

Music Scan, Fader, X-Fade No Delay

S-Link control input for Sony system integration

Switchable command mode for multi-player Sony setups

Specifications:

Type: 5-disc carousel CD changer

Disc format: CD (commercial), confirmed CD-R compatible

D/A converter: Sony High Density Linear Converter

CD mechanism: Sony KSS-213BA

Frequency response: 2 Hz – 20 kHz

Dynamic range: 98 dB

Signal-to-noise ratio: 102 dB

Total harmonic distortion: 0.0045%

Line output: 2 V

Digital output: Optical

Year of release: 1997

Condition: Good cosmetic, serviced

Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.9 x 4.7 x 15.2 inches (430 x 120 x 385 mm)

Weight: 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg)

A good-cosmetic-condition Sony CDP-C260Z 5-disc carousel CD changer with confirmed CD-R compatibility — a flexible, reliable, well-specified late-1990s multi-disc player that remains a genuinely practical, musically rewarding source component for anyone with a real working CD or CD-R collection.

Backed by Radique Audio’s 90-day warranty and our perpetual trade-back policy, you can purchase with confidence.