Q: In 2021 you recommended a Hott portable CD player for use in my car. Mine worked quite well, and I am very pleased with it. But now it is having trouble holding a charge, so I need a replacement. I figured I'd ask if you've come across any other players you like. If not, I'll get another Hott.

A: I have not found another model or brand I prefer, so if you liked your Hott, I would stick with them. If your car can play from USB media (most new cars do), you may want to consider transferring your CDs to flash drives and playing them using the car's USB port. The TEAC AD-850-SE mentioned below can do this, as can some other CD players.

Size matters

Q: Does anyone make a 36-inch or 37-inch TV? I can't find anything available between 32-inch and 43-inch sets. We have an entertainment center with a 32-inch TV, and the space won't fit anything above 37 inches.

A: I have not seen anything available recently between 32 and 40 inches. You will have to stay with a 32-inch TV, unless you can find a bezel-less 40-inch set that fits in your space. Or you can look for a new entertainment center.

One unit serves all

Three topics I am often asked about are FM radio, cassette players and playing older media like cassettes and CDs in cars. Typically I have to send people to thrift shops or eBay to find used tuners and cassette players, even when they really want a new one.

TEAC (which stands for Tokyo Electric-Acoustic Co.) has offered high-quality home audio equipment for decades, largely focusing on the premium segment. It has renewed its focus on the North American market, and two of its unique audio components are just what many readers have been looking for.

FM radio fans will be delighted to learn about the TEAC PD-301-X, a compact CD player with a built-in FM tuner. It incorporates some of the best CD playback circuitry available, and you can connect an antenna and tune in FM as well. The TEAC AD-850-SE combines a CD player, a single cassette deck that plays and records, and a USB port. It can record from CDs and cassettes to USB flash drives, which then can be used in cars, computers and home stereo components with USB playback. The TEAC components are $549.99 each, not inexpensive but a great value for the quality and capability they offer.

If I could have only one of them, I am not sure which I would choose. I love the appeal of an audiophile-quality CD player with built-in FM, but the flexibility of the AD-850-SE is phenomenal for those who want to be able to play and record different formats with a single device. If either of these components sound like what you are looking for, you can see them at teacusa.com.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.