2020 - No CD Player - The Solution

stuka · Mar 10, 2021

Mtn Mike said: ↑

Exactly, streaming is now king for lossless digital music. The notion that CDs represent the gold standard is long gone. Short of listening to vinyl on a $30,000 system the best sound quality that most of us have access to now comes through the internet ether.
Click to expand...

HDTRACKS has lots of FLAC 192 from old master tapes. Turandot sung by Pavarotti newly redone in 96Khz on FLAC was simply amazing on my McIntosh at home.

https://www.hdtracks.com/#/album/5dfe30610126db936409653f

Even on Ford's terrible OEM system (also supports FLAC) anyone that can hear will hear a difference. Now, let's not kid ourselves, even the old Linn in AM and Burmester in Porsche are just OK compared to any mid fi at home let along a good McIntosh setup. But supporting FLAC is awesome as that is my library and I sure am not going to re-rip it in MP3 or some nonsense lossy format like that.

I don't have my truck back yet from PPF, but now I gotta try my FLAC collection USB stick on it. Sold the Raptor so I have one left over. Focus RS has the second one.

TacoFlavoredVWs · Mar 10, 2021

If it was mentioned already, I didn't see it in the thread. You can format Fat32 in Windows 10 via command line: "Format /FS:FAT32 E:"

Example
[Directory]>Format /FS:FAT32 [Drive Letter]:
"C:\Users\jdoe\>Format /FS:FAT32 E:"

I found some audio tests a while back. They replay songs in multiple bitrates and you select which playthrough is lossless. It is to validate your ability to actually differentiate the quality. Even with my US Army gift of tinnitus, I was 9/10 on identifying lossless. I shared the test with several friends/family and was surprised by how many could NOT tell the difference. I don't say this as an audiophile, because I am not one. However, I would recommend people interested in the topic to take a similar test. You maybe surprised with the results.

VanGo3 · Mar 10, 2021

gForceDude[OP] initial post: ↑

I was a bit bummed when I learned that my new 2020 TDR OR was going to strand me with no way to play my CD's. I'm an Old Audiophile, with deep Analog Roots, and a 16bit 44.1kHz WAV file is already bad enough for me; so I just can't listen to MP3 files. I can hear that missing 90% of audio data that has been deleted from the original WAV file when it is converted into an MP3, so no MP3 music for my audiophile ears.

Fortunately for me, I read in the Manual (ya, I read the whole thing, both of them!) that the new Entune 3 system would recognize and play WAV files. All I had to do was put my WAV files on a portable USB (Thumb) Drive, plug it into the USB port, select the USB port as my Audio Source, and play my music that I 'ripped' from my CD's - problem solved.

Well, it wasn't quite that easy, but almost. And the purpose of this thread is to ensure that it is easy for all of you new 2020 owners who want to play your CD's in your new truck.

The most important part of this process is to make sure that your USB Thumb Drive is formatted as 'Fat32', otherwise it will not be recognized by the Entune system. This was my problem; and Windows 10 no longer has the option to format a drive as 'Fat32'. Some of these drives come formatted as 'Fat32' right out of the box, so some people won't have any problems with them. But what if you need to format one of these drives as 'Fat32', or perhaps you just wish to do so to remove any OEM junk & clutter from the drive before you use it - how do you accomplish this? After much frustration, struggle, and searching, I found the solution:

https://fat32format-gui.en.lo4d.com/windows

The free Utility Program available on this webpage will format any drive as 'Fat32'.

So then, plug your USB Thumb Drive into your Win10 Computer, double-click on this Utility, be certain that you select your USB Thumb Drive in the dialog box, and then format it as 'Fat32'. It's that easy.

I used a 64g USB Thumb Drive for my CD WAV files. I used the Windows Media Player to rip the WAV files from my CD's; and I put all of the WAV files from each CD into their own separate folders, named 'ArtistName&CDTitle', with the individual files named as 'Track01', 'Track02', etc. I initially ripped 30 CD's, so I had 30 individual folders on my Drive. Entune recognized the Drive, and immediately read all of the individual folder Names. I could select a folder on the Entune screen to open it, select the first Track in that folder, hit play, and all of the Tracks in that folder would then play in sequence - just as if I had a CD Player in my new Truck.

Ya, it's a lot of work, but at least I can listen my CD's in my new Truck. And one nice advantage is that I can now conveniently have about 150 of my favorite CD's on this one 64g drive, with me in my truck all of the time (I put 30 CD's on my drive initially, and it only used about one-fifth of the space available).

So there you have it: the solution to playing your CD's in your new 2020 Tacoma without a CD Player. Hopefully this information helps someone, and saves them from the frustration and struggle that I experienced.

Rock-On Fellow Tacoma Owners/Enthusiasts!

Click to expand...

Oh, I thought that you were going to tell us how to install an actual CD player.

Puppypunter · Mar 10, 2021

VanGo3 said: ↑

Oh, I thought that you were going to tell us how to install an actual CD player.
Click to expand...

I think the easiest way to get that done is to drive the truck down to the Amish country and let them do it for you...

Great Dane · Mar 11, 2021

I can't believe that you all are just figuring this out.
I've known this for years.

stuka · Mar 11, 2021

P-Dawg said: ↑

Cambridge Audio is good stuff, you are already better off than 99% of the people out there. The next big step for you is spiked/leveled speaker stands if you don't already have them. $200 spiked stands will give you a better result than a tube McIntosh. The biggest improvements are cheap if your system isn't set up well.
Click to expand...

Audiogon is a very dangerous place for any audio person’s wallet.

You go there and you’re like but it’s so much cheaper than buying new. Except it’s still ridiculously expensive lol.

Xplosiv · Mar 11, 2021

P-Dawg said: ↑

I'm curious, have you ever sat in a Porsche, Aston Martin etc that had a high end optional system? I've seen car systems offered by Harmon Kardon, MacIntosh, Levinson, and others and always wondered how good they are. The only time I paid for the optional system was in my 2015 Wrangler Willy's but that one sounded like crap with a big subwoofer, wasn't even that great for Rap. Just asking because the only time I had a chance to hear one I couldn't figure out how to turn it on (Rolls Royce Phantom with the dreaded BMW iDrive system). The standard system in my Impreza Premium is the best I've ever owned and it's not even the optional Harmon Khardon system, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm spoiled as my home system is fully spiked, carefully set up, and about $5,000. I worked in a Hi Fi store so I got really spoiled. I'm Mid-fi at best, HiFi starts around $10,000 IMO.
Click to expand...

The levinson systems are amazing for stock. Ive also been really impressed with the B & O systems in the higher trim Fords. Some of our Rover's have really good setups. But they are still all factory setups. Nothing will sound as good automotive than a real SQ build done by someone who knows what they are doing.

crazyfingers · Mar 11, 2021

Following this one!!

crazyfingers · Mar 11, 2021

Will FLAC play in a 2017? I never got a owners manual with my truck.

fathomblue · Mar 11, 2021

crazyfingers said: ↑

Will FLAC play in a 2017? I never got a owners manual with my truck.
Click to expand...

I doubt it, it wouldn't in my '19.

stuka · Mar 17, 2021

I can confirm that FLAC plays on my LR Pro via dash USB port.

I might need to fix song numbering as the OTA metadata download seems to mess with certain albums with multiple versions.

stuka · Mar 24, 2021

Update, still trying to figure out how to turn off automatic metadata download on Entune, it is messing up some of my album song names and orders.

OZ TRD · Mar 24, 2021

stuka said: ↑

Audiogon is a very dangerous place for any audio person’s wallet.

You go there and you’re like but it’s so much cheaper than buying new. Except it’s still ridiculously expensive lol.
Click to expand...

Audio...wha???

what have you done!

I’m doomed...

Saturnine · Mar 24, 2021

crazyfingers said: ↑

Will FLAC play in a 2017? I never got a owners manual with my truck.
Click to expand...

Doesn't in mine

cosmicfires · Mar 24, 2021

0xDEADBEEF said: ↑

Also, its hilarious that Win10 can't format to Fat32 natively anymore. Sure it may be an "obsolete" format, but so many things still use it.

FWIW, if you have a linux box laying around, it can probably format fat32.
Click to expand...

Linux can format FAT32, see mkdosfs.

crazyfingers · Mar 24, 2021

So will the new 2021 head unit fit in a 2017?

Saturnine · Mar 24, 2021

Physically, yes. Would likely require a bunch of wiring harnesses. It wouldn't be something I'd think is even worth doing unless you got the HU for free. At what it would cost you'd be better off with aftermarket

Canufixit · Mar 27, 2021

P-Dawg said: ↑

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that know binary and those that don't ...
Click to expand...

Hilarious! Sadly most probably didn't even get it.[/QUOTE]

No place like 127.0.0.1

seabag · Apr 1, 2021

So folks, lots on this thread about ripping Cd's etc but what about some KISS? Besides music I grab audiobooks on CD from the local library so need to sort how to play them. A portable CDplayer with Bluetooth or USB? Recommendations? Yeah, I can borrow audiobooks and load them on the Iphone and I will but I still want to find a simple CD player.

Great Dane · Apr 1, 2021

seabag said: ↑

So folks, lots on this thread about ripping Cd's etc but what about some KISS? Besides music I grab audiobooks on CD from the local library so need to sort how to play them. A portable CDplayer with Bluetooth or USB? Recommendations? Yeah, I can borrow audiobooks and load them on the Iphone and I will but I still want to find a simple CD player.
Click to expand...

Find an old school Discman that you can plug into an aux jack.
Wait, do we even have an aux jack on these?

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

2020 - No CD Player - The Solution

#61
stuka Well-Known Member

#62
TacoFlavoredVWs Well-Known Member

#63
VanGo3 Modern vehicles are ugly.

#64
Puppypunter Well-Known Member

#65
Great Dane Well-Known Member

#66
stuka Well-Known Member

#67
Xplosiv Well-Known Member

#68
crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#69
crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#70
fathomblue I used to be disgusted; now I'm just amused.

#71
stuka Well-Known Member

#72
stuka Well-Known Member

#73
OZ TRD Well-Known Member

#74
Saturnine YVAN EHT NIOJ

#75
cosmicfires Well-Known Member

#76
crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#77
Saturnine YVAN EHT NIOJ

#78
Canufixit Well-Known Member

#79
seabag Well-Known Member

#80
Great Dane Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

2020 - No CD Player - The Solution

#61 stuka Well-Known Member

#62 TacoFlavoredVWs Well-Known Member

#63 VanGo3 Modern vehicles are ugly.

#64 Puppypunter Well-Known Member

#65 Great Dane Well-Known Member

#66 stuka Well-Known Member

#67 Xplosiv Well-Known Member

#68 crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#69 crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#70 fathomblue I used to be disgusted; now I'm just amused.

#71 stuka Well-Known Member

#72 stuka Well-Known Member

#73 OZ TRD Well-Known Member

#74 Saturnine YVAN EHT NIOJ

#75 cosmicfires Well-Known Member

#76 crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#77 Saturnine YVAN EHT NIOJ

#78 Canufixit Well-Known Member

#79 seabag Well-Known Member

#80 Great Dane Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)

#61
stuka Well-Known Member

#62
TacoFlavoredVWs Well-Known Member

#63
VanGo3 Modern vehicles are ugly.

#64
Puppypunter Well-Known Member

#65
Great Dane Well-Known Member

#66
stuka Well-Known Member

#67
Xplosiv Well-Known Member

#68
crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#69
crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#70
fathomblue I used to be disgusted; now I'm just amused.

#71
stuka Well-Known Member

#72
stuka Well-Known Member

#73
OZ TRD Well-Known Member

#74
Saturnine YVAN EHT NIOJ

#75
cosmicfires Well-Known Member

#76
crazyfingers Soft Sweet But True

#77
Saturnine YVAN EHT NIOJ

#78
Canufixit Well-Known Member

#79
seabag Well-Known Member

#80
Great Dane Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in