In a digital signal information reproduction apparatus such as a compact disk player and a digital audio tape deck, the digital information recorded on a recording medium is read therefrom at a speed higher than usual during a first predetermined time period from the start of the read operation and at the usual speed for the remainder of the read operation. The read-out information is stored in a memory (such as a RAM), and the information stored in the memory is read out and reproduced at the usual playing speed. The information is thus read from the recording medium during a period shorter than the period required for the playing operation. The time between completion of reading the information from the recording medium and completion of the playing operation can be efficiently used for exchange of the recording medium so that when the playing operation is completed, a new recording medium is already loaded on the apparatus, thus enabling, e.g., continuous playing of pieces of music stored on a compact disk or digital audio tape.