Modern CD Players Miss A Basic Feature

Modern CD players have come a long way — better DACs, cleaner power supplies, quieter transports, beautiful design. But somehow… we lost something the 1980s already solved. 🔗 Products Featured In This Video:     •    Cool Geek M1 → Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4rz1cuI https://coolgeekaudio.com/products/m1-music-frame-cd-player M1 10% discount code for your USofA followers: UNITEDSTATESOFANALOG Official Store: https://aoshida-audio.com/products/smsl-pl20 Coupon Code: USAnalog-PL20 Discount: 5%     •    SMSL PL20 → Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4tPDE6m https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/936.html In this video, I take a close look at the Cool Geek M1 and the SMSL PL20 — two new CD players that sound good, are well-built, and offer strong value. Overall? I like them. But neither supports gapless playback. That might not matter if you only listen to individual tracks. It matters a lot if you listen to albums. From live recordings to concept albums to crossfaded studio tracks, gapless playback isn’t a luxury feature — it’s part of how the music was designed to be heard. So how did we get this right in 1985… and miss it in 2026? Let’s talk about what gapless playback actually is, why it matters, and whether this omission should influence your buying decision. ⸻ If you enjoy thoughtful, no-hype audio discussion, subscribe to United States of Analog for honest reviews, music-driven system advice, and deep dives into how gear affects the listening experience. ⸻ Let me know in the comments: Do you care about gapless playback? Or is it a non-issue for you? Thanks for watching my video. Tell me how I got it 'Right of Wrong" in the comments. Tell me if and how you listen to CD's. Then, please consider SUBSCRIBING. It really helps this channel! FOR THE BEST GEAR and BRANDS... check out my friend, Lenny, and ALL ELITE AUDIO: LINKhttps://alleliteaudio.com/?sca_ref=10384890.nKoOW0XNU2to AFFILIATE LINKS: Fluance RT81+ ELITE Turntable https://amzn.to/4syvGhp Audio-Technica Sound Burger You can further support the channel by using my AFFILIATE LINKS to get the stuff you want... Record Doctor RECORD CLAMP Here: https://amzn.to/3BCxT5A AMAZING WAXWING Phono Preamp: https://amzn.to/4eU2Twf Fluance ISOLATION BASE HERE: https://amzn.to/3U1pn6h Great A-T VM95E Phono Cartridge: https://amzn.to/3zQLTIi Adjustable isolation FEET HERE: https://amzn.to/4gYF9c3 Fosi Audio TUBE Phono Preamp HERE: https://amzn.to/4exDSr1 A-T LP70xBT (Blk/Bronze with Bluetooth): https://amzn.to/3MSwWs3 A-T LP70xBT (Blk/Silver with Bluetooth): https://amzn.to/47DbctJ A-T LP70x (without Bluetooth): https://amzn.to/4e9TL6M A-T VM95c Cartridge: https://amzn.to/47wBs9n VM95 Elliptical stylus cartridge for this turntable: https://amzn.to/3XAYh77 Audio-Technica Bluetooth headphones SR50BT: https://amzn.to/4ebkD6b Record Doctors record clamp: https://amzn.to/3TCTosV WiiM ULTRA here: https://amzn.to/4glOKJz WiiM AMP here: https://amzn.to/3AWQkBA WiiM PRO here: https://amzn.to/3XEuBY7 WiiM PRP PLUS here: https://amzn.to/3zed8MA WiiM Mini here: https://amzn.to/4ek3wic Topping B200 Class A/B Monoblock Amplifier here: https://amzn.to/3XFO3DT SMSL H400 Headphone Amp/Preamp here: https://amzn.to/4cVoVgE MY AUDIOPHILE EDC... The Flashlight: https://amzn.to/3T7Iuvk CRKT CEO Knife: https://amzn.to/4dMqoY4 GERBER box cutter: https://amzn.to/4dDt0ao Record Doctor Record Clamp: https://amzn.to/4e4pdTd KOBALT Wire Stripper: https://amzn.to/4dZuhZc PROSTER Stylus Force Tracing Gauge: https://amzn.to/474Aml0 HUDSON HI-FI STORE: https://amzn.to/4cOIJCe