discman:  skippy, and  becoming more so with age.  does not like to play linty, fingerprinty old cd's in the car. (i do my best to keep them clean, but discman still isn't satisfied)

cd walkman:  okay, it's possible that it's only my imagination, but it seems to me like the percussion doesn't have as much snap or oomph to it as with the discman.  in any case i've had to reset all the levels in my car to accomodate it.  it is definitely less tempermental about what tracks it wants to play than my old friend discman, and this is a big plus.  cd walkman also has a radio tuner in it, which is kind of neat, since i can therefore theoretically use it to get audio on the tv's at the gym.  unfortunately it is too freaking huge to fit in the, you know, pockets for personal items that workout machines have.

final outcome:  discman stays at home with my (elderly, equally temperamental) stereo, where at least it doesn't get jostled.  cd walkman rides shotgun with me.  everybody's happy.