The reason CD players cannot read CD-R's is that their lasers are not tuned to the wavelengths of the light that CD-R's reflect, or that the laser pickup isn't sensitive enough (CD-R's don't reflect very much). So without changing out the transport, I'd say no
Can CD Players be altered to play CD-Rs
Is there a way to "fix" a cd player to allow it to play CD-Rs. I can get a very good deal on a cd player that i have always wanted but, i was just told that it can not play CD-Rs, which is all i listen to. This presents quite a problem. Let me know if this can be "fixed." Thanks - Ian