Best For Recording/Burning CDs?

[NMyTree]

I'm trying to figure out which is the best way to go, in finding a way to make quality sounding compilation CD-Rs of my favorite songs, artists, genras and so forth; for the purpose of my own enjoyment. I basically want the best quality sound, I can afford and I want to be able to do fade-in and fade -out; for when I mix some live tracks with studio tracks.

My computer makes crappy sounding CD-Rs, so I've been looking for another way.

What is the best way to do this? Using computers? CD Recorder components?

I've been looking at these recorders/burners:

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/ALESIS_M...ER_W_FREE.html

http://www.tascam.com/Products/CD-450.html

http://www.tascam.com/Products/CD-160.html

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/marantz_...nc550rkit.html

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/marantz_...cdr510kit.html

Some of these have "Pitch Control" and I have no idea what that's all about, so I'll have to learn about it.

Any other suggestions?

[dave]

Check out the Yamaha CDR-HD 1300, this thing produces results!!! and it has alot more to offer than Fade in and Fade out!!! it really produces AUDIOPHILE copies.
I've heard the results of Pioneer Elite and also Marantz, If I had to choose between them I'd go with Marantz however this Yamaha Bests these, I havent heard the Tascam though....

[Gordon Moore]

With pc hardware....a quality READER is more inportant than the burner to get good reproductions. You do get somewhat what you pay for.

Plextor is a good brand.

Are you burning at the slowest speed possible (helps minimize C1 errors http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq02.html#S2-17 )

http://beradio.com/mag/radio_maximum_burn/

http://www.cdrfaq.org/

Also, quality media makes a big difference as does the burning software.

EAC is recommended.

[Bruce]

I agree with what Gordons says, Plextor drives (what I have) and EAC (Exact Audio Copy) software.

[Dan Nelson]

I agree with Dave! The Yamaha CDR-HD1300 does it very well! You have the advantage of an hard disc...
Personally I own the Marantz CDR 510. I have some problems with the analogue output (clics). The d/a converter seems not to be very good. With the pitch control you can control the speed just like with old vinyle turntables, it's only interesting if you want to "mix in the beat". An advantage of this Marantz is that as it is a professional item you can copy even copy protected CD's.

[Chuck G]

I agree you should be able to get better quality using your computer. You may want to take a closer look at your internal components (maybe replace the CD/DVD drive with a plexor like suggested).

With that said, I've had good luck using a Pioneer PDR 609 (find one on ebay) but I use that for riping vinyl. Its main advantage is a seperate analog level control, which most component burners do not have. After writing to a CD-RW, I take the vinyl rip to my pc and make direct cd burns using Nero software. I believe I have yamaha drives.

[Kevin P]

I was just looking at component burners on the web (just to see what was out there) and was intrigued by the Denon CDR-W1500.

It looks like a high quality piece. What's also cool about it is it has separate outputs and independent controls for the two decks, meaning you could play 2 CDs at once (handy for a multi-zone setup), or play a CD on one deck while recording something unrelated on the other. And of course you can dub from one deck to the other. It's also HDCD, CD-R and CD-RW compatible.

To me, the component CD burners are best for recording from analog sources such as vinyl, or recording from the radio, satellite etc. They can also be handy for making CD copies of non-hybrid SACDs and DVD-As via the analog inputs.

If you only want to copy CD to CD, using a computer is the way to go. With decent hardware (esp. a reader with good ripping quality) and software (EAC, Nero) you can get good copies much faster than with a home burner. And you aren't restricted with copy protection and having to subsidize the RIAA with the surcharged audio CD-Rs.

[Dan Nelson]

Denon CDR-W1500 and Marantz CDR 510 are similar. I've heard that lots of components used are the same...

[audioqueso]

And... believe it or not, a bit by bit copy on a computer on black CDs. Like the ones for the Playstation games. I heard it through word of mouth at first and thought it was BS, but I tried it, and sure enough, it did sound better than the original. I don't know the details as to why, but try it yourself and you'll become a believer too.

[David Meek]

I'd asked Jon Marsh a question many moons ago on something similar and his response - paraphrased - was that using a certain high-end Yamaha burner and black-surface CDs, he'd improved the SQ. I'll see if I can find the thread.

[David Meek]

Okay, here is that thread. Scroll down to post # 14.

[audioqueso]

I did it on my previously owned LiteOn burner and was able to hear the difference.