We have extensive collection of CDs (classical), my wife likes to listen occasionally on long trips, anyone tried those external CDs? I don't want to transfer CDs to phone or usb.

 

I think maybe you’re looking for this gadget. Connects via your car’s USB port, simulates Android Auto, plays CDs from its drive.

disclaimer, I haven’t tried this myself. If you order it, please let us know how it goes!

USB External Car Universal CD Player USB Connection Portable CD Player for Car Android Navigation/TV/MacBook pro/Laptops Desktops with USB Port Plug and Play https://a.co/d/6KdKbyW

 

there are a lot of portable CD players out there in the $75-$150 range that will plug into the USB port or connect via bluetooth (and plenty cheaper or more expensive). can't speak to the quality of any of them since I haven't listened to a CD in a car in over a decade, but my guess is they're all about the same. you should just grab a free trial spotify or apple music subscription and try it for a month or two. you'll have easy access to pretty much everything, everywhere, anytime. and no need to deal with hardware, CDs, etc.

 

One caveat. Unless he goes with Sirius XM, once out of cel service all of the Spotify, Apple, Amazon music, etc are dead. Unless, of course he downloads the songs before to his phone, but I think the OP was trying to avoid that.

 

It's easy to burn CDs to your computer (I used the Movie app thing on my Windows PC) then copy from your computer to a large flash drive.

Now just plug into the USB port in your Defender, choose it from Source and be happy for hours.