No CD capability for the new E-Series
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 15
From: York, PA
'13 S5 Coupe
No CD capability for the new E-Series
Not that it matters to many of the younger demographic who probably can't afford something like the new E43 Coupe when it comes out anyway, but I have just confirmed with MBUSA that the new E-Series of vehicles will not have CD/DVD-A playback capability. Seems odd that they would switch to an allegedly higher end audio system and defeat the fidelity enhancements by only allowing mobile devices - which are overly compressed by comparison - alongside of the standard radio capabilities. Sad, as I was sooo looking forward to getting into the new E43.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 15
From: York, PA
'13 S5 Coupe
those of us (me?) of an older demographic who have an extensive library of CD's who couldn't be bothered with the mobile audio devices popular with the younger demographic these days which overly compress the music ...
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
2012 E550C, 2017 E300
Although I fit your demographic, I routinely rip CD's to MP3 on an SD card for use in my E. It's quick and easy, and I sincerely doubt that, in the car environment, one can hear any difference between MP3 LAME and redbook.
Also, a 64GB SD card can hold hundreds of albums vs. six, as in the CD changer.
Also, a 64GB SD card can hold hundreds of albums vs. six, as in the CD changer.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 15
From: York, PA
'13 S5 Coupe
From every picture/spy shot/etc I've been able to find regarding the upcoming E-Series ... including the newly previewed wagon (and most of these are European spec pics), it appears the new C-Series will be the only car with a disc playback capability ... and the exclusion doesn't appear to be U.S. market specific.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 468
Likes: 68
From: UK
E250 AMG Sport Convertible
Any audiophile knows that there are lossless formats for digital media, so using it does not mean compression at all.
Assume that it supports USB or maybe even a hard disk to store then on and not need a mobile at all.
Personally glad they are dropping 1980's technology and fitting useful features instead. They should be supporting Android Auto, Carplay and mirroring rather than outdated tech that next to no one would use these days.
There will always be those who don't like to move on, but there comes a tipping point where supporting legacy is no longer the right thing to do. Will upset a few, but will please the masses.
Assume that it supports USB or maybe even a hard disk to store then on and not need a mobile at all.
Personally glad they are dropping 1980's technology and fitting useful features instead. They should be supporting Android Auto, Carplay and mirroring rather than outdated tech that next to no one would use these days.
There will always be those who don't like to move on, but there comes a tipping point where supporting legacy is no longer the right thing to do. Will upset a few, but will please the masses.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 515
Likes: 99
From: Hudson Valley, NY
2012 E350
What, no cassette tape player? I want my 8 track and how about vinyl? Geez, I could play vinyl in a 1950's Chrysler! Next thing you know someone will decide to do away with vent windows.
Price of progress
Price of progress
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: Houston, TX
2017 E400 Coupe
You don't need a CD drive to avoid compression in your music. Simply rip your CDs to .wav and it's an exact copy.
You need to start seeing the upside. With a tiny USB thumbdrive from amazon plugged into the center console, you have about (I don't really know) 100 CDs at your disposal. AND, they will change / load an 'album' a lot faster than a CD slot will.
I prefer .flac whenever possible. There is no loss in sonic quality (that's why it's termed lossless). The reason is you can't 'tag' a wav file, but you can tag a flac or mp3 file. My 2017 E coupe can't play that file extension so I play mp3 at the highest setting and it's quite good in audio quality for a car.
If you do buy the coupe of your dreams - the biggest downside will be it 'phoning' to GraceNote to get the album info. That takes alot of time. It should happen in the days of tagged files. Complete waste of time.
BTW, I know how you feel. But, years ago I decided to 'keep up' at my own pace. If my wife only knew the audio equipment in my living room costs almost as much as her GLK. Audiogon is your friend. I ripped all my CD's in .flac. I store them on a Qnap server with two SSDs mirrored for backup (as well as a copy at work). I use Sonos. Not just any Sonos, but one with the guts ripped out and a guy (Empirical Audio) who replaces the clock to reduce jitter and then I replace the DAC with a Berkley Audio Design Alpha DAC.
You need to start seeing the upside. With a tiny USB thumbdrive from amazon plugged into the center console, you have about (I don't really know) 100 CDs at your disposal. AND, they will change / load an 'album' a lot faster than a CD slot will.
I prefer .flac whenever possible. There is no loss in sonic quality (that's why it's termed lossless). The reason is you can't 'tag' a wav file, but you can tag a flac or mp3 file. My 2017 E coupe can't play that file extension so I play mp3 at the highest setting and it's quite good in audio quality for a car.
If you do buy the coupe of your dreams - the biggest downside will be it 'phoning' to GraceNote to get the album info. That takes alot of time. It should happen in the days of tagged files. Complete waste of time.
BTW, I know how you feel. But, years ago I decided to 'keep up' at my own pace. If my wife only knew the audio equipment in my living room costs almost as much as her GLK. Audiogon is your friend. I ripped all my CD's in .flac. I store them on a Qnap server with two SSDs mirrored for backup (as well as a copy at work). I use Sonos. Not just any Sonos, but one with the guts ripped out and a guy (Empirical Audio) who replaces the clock to reduce jitter and then I replace the DAC with a Berkley Audio Design Alpha DAC.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 517
Likes: 22
From: California
Mercedes C250 Coupe
Although I fit your demographic, I routinely rip CD's to MP3 on an SD card for use in my E. It's quick and easy, and I sincerely doubt that, in the car environment, one can hear any difference between MP3 LAME and redbook.
Also, a 64GB SD card can hold hundreds of albums vs. six, as in the CD changer.
Also, a 64GB SD card can hold hundreds of albums vs. six, as in the CD changer.
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: Houston, TX
2017 E400 Coupe
And the young kids aren't getting it either. When I took delivery of my car last month, I pulled out my USB drive to plug it in and the dealership dude chuckled and said, "You're like the first to store music on a USB drive!" He said everyone now streams via bluetooth (which has not so good fidelity, in my experience.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
2012 E550C, 2017 E300
Free-on-the-internet CD rippers are ubiquitous. Google search CD+mp3+ripper. For best quality mp3 audio quality, choose one which supports 320kbps or variable bit rate (VBR) mp3. Stick the SD card in your home or office PC, load the CD of interest, and follow instructions for the software you've chosen to rip the CD files onto the SD drive.
Getting great audio in your home system? Now that takes considerably more time, effort, and sometimes $$$.
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: Houston, TX
2017 E400 Coupe
It's really not difficult at all!
Free-on-the-internet CD rippers are ubiquitous. Google search CD+mp3+ripper. For best quality mp3 audio quality, choose one which supports 320kbps or variable bit rate (VBR) mp3. Stick the SD card in your home or office PC, load the CD of interest, and follow instructions for the software you've chosen to rip the CD files onto the SD drive.
Getting great audio in your home system? Now that takes considerably more time, effort, and sometimes $$$.
Free-on-the-internet CD rippers are ubiquitous. Google search CD+mp3+ripper. For best quality mp3 audio quality, choose one which supports 320kbps or variable bit rate (VBR) mp3. Stick the SD card in your home or office PC, load the CD of interest, and follow instructions for the software you've chosen to rip the CD files onto the SD drive.
Getting great audio in your home system? Now that takes considerably more time, effort, and sometimes $$$.
