external cd player

[Kaliyat]

As others have mentioned, any "lossless" file format (FLAC, ALAC, WAV) should provide the exact same quality as the original digital source, e.g. CDs in this case.

Having said that above, not all devices will play a "lossless" file exactly as encoded, as many phones and/or stereo systems will still "re-sample" the audio prior to analog output.

Having said that, however, any perceived lack of "punch" is more likely a problem with the stereo system's gain or EQ settings than it is due to a physical CD vs digital file issue...or just that the audio system as a whole isn't capable of what you're after.

Most of these adapters are designed to function as DACs (Digital to Analog Converters), i.e. they're meant to take a digital source in via USB and convert to analog out of the 3.5" jack plug, they don't work in reverse... a portable CD player with a 3.5" jack is already outputting analog signal

But did that actually work???

==================
Here's the thing OP, AFAIK, there is no "AUX" port for the factory stereo, which is what you would likely need to get an external CD player to work...as those old AUX ports are designed to receive analog audio input.

The vehicle USB port capabilities are usually only compatible with USB storage devices, which a portable CD player is not, and the internal infotainment system is probably not capable of interfacing with the portable CD player to use a playback device.

In other words, when you plug something into the data USB hub, the vehicle expects it to be either an iPhone, Android Phone, or USB storage disk (thumb drive) with music files on it... if it doesn't detect a compatible device type, it will only operate as a charger.

I'm not saying it's impossible, as I definitely haven't tried or tested using any external CD players -- but my guess is that they are unsupported...unless what Kaliyat said above is true and actually worked for them.

Yes! Mine did work. I have a 1958 model with 3 USB-c ports, which I'm sure they all have, I used the data one and it worked just fine. It becomes a "source" on your audio screen.

 

[PixelMagic]

Yes! Mine did work. I have a 1958 model with 3 USB-c ports, which I'm sure they all have, I used the data one and it worked just fine. It becomes a "source" on your audio screen.

Which CD player worked? Do you have a link? The one I tried was not recognized by the Land Cruiser.

Thanks

 

[Kaliyat]

Which CD player worked? Do you have a link? The one I tried was not recognized by the Land Cruiser.

Thanks

I got this one on Amazon Amazon.com: POSSPO Jupiter USB CD Player for Car Auto, Portable External CD DVD Player, USB Plug & Play (No Decoder Needed), AUX Uses Decoder for Louder Clearer Sound, Anti-Skip, Seamless Track Playback, Resume : Electronics. The only issue I have is figuring out where I'd like to mount it so it's convenient to use and not in the way. It sounds great through the system so I have no complaints there.

 

[PDPete]

I bought a portable CD player that had a USB and bought a USB-c converter that just plugs in. Here's a link on Amazon. Amazon.com

I'm not saying it's impossible, as I definitely haven't tried or tested using any external CD players -- but my guess is that they are unsupported...unless what Kaliyat said above is true and actually worked for them.

Yes! Mine did work. I have a 1958 model with 3 USB-c ports, which I'm sure they all have, I used the data one and it worked just fine. It becomes a "source" on your audio screen.

I got this one on Amazon Amazon.com: POSSPO Jupiter USB CD Player for Car Auto, Portable External CD DVD Player, USB Plug & Play (No Decoder Needed), AUX Uses Decoder for Louder Clearer Sound, Anti-Skip, Seamless Track Playback, Resume : Electronics. The only issue I have is figuring out where I'd like to mount it so it's convenient to use and not in the way. It sounds great through the system so I have no complaints there.

I stand corrected then... but this interesting...

OP, I would still warn that most generic USB CD drives will likely NOT work -- this unit appears to be made specifically to interface with modern car stereos/infotainment systems, and I'd be willing to be it does so by actually presenting itself as a "storage drive" (not as a CD optical drive or music player) and providing the music tracks as WAV files...which is clever if so! (EDIT: In other words, it's kinda like it rips the CD on the fly)

(I'll also add that, assuming the above is true, that from a sound quality perspective, using this to play CD directly should sound no different vs ripping the CD into lossless music files like FLAC, and then adding them to a USB flash drive to use in the vehicle...but obviously this is a step saver that may be convenient for folks that just want to listen to CDs the "old fashioned way").

 

[OKLA Cruiser]

LOL - hard to beat a quality 8 track

I've got a Craig Power Play that never been out of the box.

 

[PixelMagic]

I stand corrected then... but this interesting...

OP, I would still warn that most generic USB CD drives will likely NOT work -- this unit appears to be made specifically to interface with modern car stereos/infotainment systems, and I'd be willing to be it does so by actually presenting itself as a "storage drive" (not as a CD optical drive or music player) and providing the music tracks as WAV files...which is clever if so! (EDIT: In other words, it's kinda like it rips the CD on the fly)

(I'll also add that, assuming the above is true, that from a sound quality perspective, using this to play CD directly should sound no different vs ripping the CD into lossless music files like FLAC, and then adding them to a USB flash drive to use in the vehicle...but obviously this is a step saver that may be convenient for folks that just want to listen to CDs the "old fashioned way").

Per Amazon Questions Answered:
the POSSPO Jupiter USB CD Player does not play MP3 files directly. According to customer Q&A, it supports WAV and VOB file formats only.
However, it does have an MP3 player listed in its specifications. The key is that your car stereo must support playing WAV audio files through USB for this device to work. Standard audio CDs use the .cda format, which the player can convert and play through compatible car stereos.

And in the reviews, I found a short movie clip showing that it worked well in 2023 and 2025 Toyota Highlander hybrids:

Amazon Review

 

[brfinley]

These are pretty nice. It will connect via USB-C or Bluetooth.

FiiO DM15 Portable Stereo CD Player with True 24Bit R2R DAC, 1150mW+1150mW High-Power Output, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth Transmitter, 24 Sound Presets, USB/CD HiFi Audio.​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3T99TKK?tag=landcruiserforum-20

 

[Scaboh]

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[wpage]

Spotify is your friend...
Why mess around with extraneous devices.??