Maybe I`ve misunderstood but every CD player I`ve come across does not mute output when `searching` either forwards or backwards. They often drop output level by 10dB or so and then play `snippets` of the track at normal speed.
I admit to being surprised by my Manhattan DVD-2000 playing during searching at either double or quad speed :-) It`s just different that`s all, and perhaps not so intuitive as a `normal` CD player (okay downright wierd!)