CDRs definitely played. Until recently, they played very well. I spoke to a tech at a local sound shop. He informed me that the technology in the Clarion CD player is actually older than 2001 and that it is not designed to play CDRs. Playing CDRs eventually burns out the laser and it won't any discs at all. Mine is just starting to have problems, but I intend to discontinue playing CDRs until I replace the player. Which brings me to my other questions: Does anyone know of a good head unit?