Best CDR ?


I am looking to purchase a CDR or CDR-RW for recording digital and analog. So far I have found several units out there from Pioneer, Yamaha, Phillips, Denon and Marantz. I am looking for something of quality below the 1K level. I am also considering using this unit as a transport. As of now I am leaning towards the Pioneer PD-R19RW. Any and all Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
bmccormick

Showing 2 responses by garfish

Hi BmcCormick; I have a Pioneer PDR-W739 CD-R/RW ($725 list) that I bought from Crutchfield for $600. With 3 CD drawers on the left, and a CD Record drawer on the right, it is very versatile and easy to use, ie you can put together a "program" using the 3CD left side and easily record it to the CD-R right side. It will also record almost any source-- analog or digital. As a dubbing recorder you don't need a second out-board source (for CDs). The recording quality of this machine is excellent. It can be used as a transport also, and I run its output into a good quality DAC (ML360S) so it sounds fine. As a "consumer grade" machine I don't suppose it would sound that great as a transport through its built-in DAC, but I haven't tried it. Anyway, I can highly recommend it for its ease of use, versatility, and recording quality. If I remmber right, the Model 19 you mention is in the more expensive Elite series, and as such is probably better built, and probably has a better built-in DAC. You probably know that these consumer grade machines require the more expensive "Consumer Audio" CD-R or RWs-- I've been paying $40. for a 30 CD-R Pak (Memorex). Of course using computer CD-R technology is another option, as are the more expensive professional CD-Rs that also can use the cheaper computer CD-Rs. The professional models also can bypass the SCMS system. But, on balance, I like the W739. However, if I was going to use it for both record and playback with no outboard DAC, I would want the Elite model for better (expected) playback quality. Happy hunting. Craig
The Pioneer W-739 CD recorder produces copies that are as good as the originals. It is easy to use, and very versatile. What more do you want? Or are you high-end snobs scared to death of the words "consumer grade"? Have any of you actually tried them? The only downside I can see is that I can't use the CHEAP CD-R blanks. Ramstl and I have been here before-- so no offence Ramstl. By the way, I have an all Levinson digital front end and CD-R copies from the Pioneer sound great with it-- do you guys have better front ends than that? Puzzled. Craig