I normally fly United or AA which don't seem to mind CD players in the cabin.

This summer I am flying LAX->FRA->CPT on LH
on a C upgrade from United and they don't like CD players. Any thoughts on an acceptable alternative? I want to use a newer technology like Minidisc but can't be sure that will be allowed either. I talked to customer service at LH and all they said was that "CD players are not allowed". They can't
explain why they are banned.

I encountered the same problem 2 years on SAA
flying JFK->CPT. It really makes a 17 hour flight painful when you have 100 CDs you can't listen to. The rest of the entertainment selections in F were pretty pathetic.

Any explanations for foreign carriers to completely ban CD players?

If you are traveling with a laptop, try "ripping" all your CD's into MP3 format and using your machine. that's what I do!

I've got over 265 songs taking up about 1.1GB on my hardrive, with CD sound quality.

I could ask LH about that option. It is probably not workable for me since this is a vacation trip. I already need to bring along of dive gear and other equipment so lugging along a laptop is not really possible.

I also know that SAA limits the use of the CD
drive in laptop computers as well.

All in all I have a really hard time understanding the paranoia of the airlines. I
would agree that turning all electronic devices off during takeoff/landing is acceptable though.

Good to know that UA accept CD players as I will be doing the greater part of a RTW with them.