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The headline refers to the transparent CD edition of Lorde’s album Virgin. Some listeners reported that their players ejected the disc or displayed “No disc,” but playback did not fail everywhere: What Hi-Fi?’s limited hands-on test found both successful playback and devices that rejected it.
What listeners reported
In a July 4, 2025 report, What Hi-Fi? described the clear CD edition of Virgin and accounts from fans whose players showed “No disc” or ejected the disc. Other owners said theirs played. MusicRadar also quoted a fan saying, “My new Lorde transparent CD doesn’t work in this stereo!” These are listener reports, not an official statement from Lorde or her label.
One fan, quoted by MusicRadar, asked: “How is a clear CD even possible? The data is written on the silver part?” The transparent appearance is unusual, but the reports do not establish that every player will fail to read the disc.
What the hands-on test found
What Hi-Fi? later tried its sample in several devices and reported mixed results. Its test was small and the publication explicitly cautioned that it was not comprehensive.
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| Device tested by What Hi-Fi? | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Marantz CD6007 | Played the disc |
| External USB CD drive | Played the disc |
| Panasonic Blu-ray player | Played the disc |
| Cyrus slot-loading players | Rejected the disc |
| Technics device | Behaved inconsistently |
What Hi-Fi? said four of the seven devices in its test played the disc. That is a result from this particular sample, not a general compatibility rate. The examples also do not support a simple rule that older players fail, newer ones work, or that tray-loading players always succeed while slot-loading players do not.
Why might a transparent CD cause trouble?
What Hi-Fi? explained that CD players use a laser to read information from a disc’s playing surface. It suggested that changing the backing material to make the disc transparent may have contributed to the recognition problems, but the cause was not confirmed by the manufacturer. No named technical authority’s explanation for this particular disc’s failures was verified in the cited coverage.
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What to do if your player rejects it
- Check whether the disc works in another device. The reported results varied by model, so one failed attempt does not show that every compatible player will reject it.
- Look for evidence about the exact model. The What Hi-Fi? results are individual examples, not a guarantee for other units or models.
- Do not assume a different loading mechanism will fix it. The limited test does not establish that tray-loading or slot-loading designs determine compatibility.
- Avoid replacing a player on the assumption that the new one will work. The cited reports do not identify a universally reliable fix.
Is the clear CD the only edition?
What Hi-Fi? and MusicRadar each described the transparent disc as the only CD version available when their articles were published in July 2025. Those statements are historical; they do not establish current stock or whether another CD edition has since appeared.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What has Lorde or her label said?
What Hi-Fi? reported that Lorde and Universal Music Group had not commented when its first article appeared, and its later test said neither had addressed the issue. The cited coverage provides no verified official explanation for the playback problems.
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- Connect to Your Speaker or Car - Using the INCLUDED 3.5mm Aux in cable you can easily connect your Deluxe CD Players for home to your favourite speaker, or car! Just ensure your device or Car has a 3.5mm AUX in or LINE in connection
- Long Battery Life - The discman CD player Uses 2 x AA Batteries (Batteries not included) – or You can power your portable cd players using the INCLUDED AC USB Cable (Smartphone USB wall adapter – NOT INCLUDED)
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