Hello Pecos glad to see you.
I wish that I could answer your question ae it was asked , but I can't. My preference is digital.
I can't answer about the CD's since I have no experinace with them. However I have used tape units considerably and digital has them beat hands down.
I have my doubts about the CD units ,others may be more careful than myself, but I don't know if I wouid be able to keep one working.
I may be way wrong and someone else may be able to educate me on this subject, yet I believe in simple if you want it to be reliable.