Advice Requested: New Standalone "Pro" CD Recorder

[Bob Lovely]

Hey Gang,

My vintage 1998 HHB CD-R 800 has passed away [not worth repair] and I am now in the market for a new "pro" unit. I use the standalone for "mastering" in the analog domain. Although I make clones of my masters on my computer, I am not interested in computer-based applications for mastering, only a "pro" standalone solution. I would like to spend less than $1,000.00.

I am aware of the products presently on the market so, via this request, I am seeking any recommendations you might have based on your actual personal/professional use of a product.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts...

Best,

Bob-:)

[Mal]

Not what you are asking but have you considered the Tascam RA1000 for hi-res dubs?

http://ai.pricegrabber.com/product_images/5032000-5032999/5032125_640.jpg

[Bob Lovely]

Mal,

I have looked at it. It "seemed" to be a bit much for my intended purpose. The 2000 looked like it might be a better fit. But, I have not eliminated the 1000 as a possibility.

Bob-:)

[Bob Lovely]

Bump...

Bob-:wave:

[LeeS]

You might find an Alessis Masterlink at that price but I would upgrade the ADC later on.

I'm a big fan of the SoundDevices 722 but its outside of your range.

[Kent Teffeteller]

Hi Bob,

The Alesis Masterlink would be best for your budget. If that is too expensive, get a Tascam CD-RW 900. $550 will get you one. Not finicky about disc brands and sounds fine and reliable. I use it's older cousin, the Tascam CD-RW 750 and have been happy with sound and dependability. It gets lots of usage! Never let me down yet either. Thanks for your wonderful service as Gort also!

[Lord Hawthorne]

Just curious what happened, as I own one too.

[Jamie Tate]

You owe it to yourself to look at the Masterlink. It may seem like a bit much for your needs but it's really not. I never use the limiter, EQ or compressor but the other features are very useful. You can top and tail tracks, add fades, change volume levels, switch track orders, break songs up into separate tracks, combine songs into one track, etc... Plus you can to hi-res up to 24/96 and make hi-res CDs.

I think they list for around $750 now. I love these machines and they're much easier to use than the Tascam equivalent (I have one but rarely use it).

[GT40sc]

I have a first-generation Masterlink, circa March 2000, massive 4-gig hard drive and all. Still going strong.

Highly recommended...

Steve

[Jamie Tate]

I have a first-generation Masterlink, circa March 2000, massive 4-gig hard drive and all. Still going strong.

Highly recommended...

Steve
I put an order in for one almost a year before they were released. The hard drives are much larger now and they aren't particular about playing CDs anymore. My original model didn't like CD-Rs made on my HHB burner but the newer ones play them fine even though they are full of errors.

[Bob Lovely]

Lee, Kent, Jamie & Steve,

Thank you for your insight. Much appreciated...

I looks like I need to take a closer look at the Alesis Masterlink. I EQ in analog so, I need good converters, that is for sure. If I understand the Alesis correctly you download your EQ'ed tracks on to the hard drive and then later configure and burn your CD-R. Is this correct?

Bob-:)

[Bob Lovely]

Just curious what happened, as I own one too.

One fine morning, I turned it on and tried to play a CD-R that I had burned a few days earlier. The VU meters "pegged" and stayed "pegged" while the unit was engaged in "play" but, there was no audible output. The same thing happened when I pushed the analog input monitor. The CD-R was fine. It played in another CDP. I repeated this sequence with same result on other CD-R's and CD's.

Bob-:)

[Jamie Tate]

If I understand the Alesis correctly you download your EQ'ed tracks on to the hard drive and then later configure and burn your CD-R. Is this correct?

Bob-:)

Yes. You record to the internal hard drive instead of going straight to CD-R. This gives you opportunity to tighten things up, space them accurately and give them a proper order.

It's also great for making CD comps.

[Bob Lovely]

Yes. You record to the internal hard drive instead of going straight to CD-R. This gives you opportunity to tighten things up, space them accurately and give them a proper order.

It's also great for making CD comps.

Thanks Jamie! As you know, I primarily master and record comps...

Bob-:wave:

[somnar]

Alesis Masterlink all the way. A really wonderful sounding and extremely flexible piece of equipment.

[JFS3]

Would something like the Alesis be good for just cloning my CD's for archival purposes, or would it be overkill?

James

[Lord Hawthorne]

One fine morning, I turned it on and tried to play a CD-R that I had burned a few days earlier. The VU meters "pegged" and stayed "pegged" while the unit was engaged in "play" but, there was no audible output. The same thing happened when I pushed the analog input monitor. The CD-R was fine. It played in another CDP. I repeated this sequence with same result on other CD-R's and CD's.

Bob-:)


Ouch. Mine has been such a reliable workhorse these past ten years, I hope it sets a record for performance.

[somnar]

Would something like the Alesis be good for just cloning my CD's for archival purposes, or would it be overkill?

James

For cloning, I use my PC - is there a reason that you don't want to go that way?

[Jamie Tate]

Would something like the Alesis be good for just cloning my CD's for archival purposes...

Yes

[Jamie Tate]

For cloning, I use my PC - is there a reason that you don't want to go that way?

Some programs change things like start times and tracks spaces (even when set to 0 seconds).

[Bob Lovely]

Jamie,

After looking at the "face plate", use of the unit seems to be quite logical. I presume you create "playlists" from tracks that you download to the hard-drive. Then, you can later recall the "playlists" in order to create and configure a CD-R by choosing resolution and bit rate. Does the hard-drive remember the order you downloaded tracks in on the "playlist" or, does the operator have to remember this order?

Further, it appears that the "uility" function is the built-in digital signal processing. Is this correct? I would most likely not use this function as I would download "mastered" tracks to the hard-drive for later recall for creation of CD-R's.

Thanks!

Bob-:)

[Tony Plachy]

If you are sure you cannot go above $1000 then Masterlink for sure, got mine in 2002 (I think) from Sweetwater, had to have the HD replaced under warrenty because it was so noisy you could not stand to be in the same room when it was on. New HD did the trick, works great now.

If you can go double the $1K this is what you want:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DVRA1000HD/

[Bob Lovely]

If you are sure you cannot go above $1000 then Masterlink for sure, got mine in 2002 (I think) from Sweetwater, had to have the HD replaced under warrenty because it was so noisy you could not stand to be in the same room when it was on. New HD did the trick, works great now.

If you can go double the $1K this is what you want:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DVRA1000HD/

Nice unit but, beyond my budget price point. I have looked at it, however.

Bob-:)

[Tullman]

Bob, here is one that was highly recommended by my tech here in Boston. The price is right too!

http://www.zzounds.com/item--HHBCDR830

[Bob Lovely]

Bob, here is one that was highly recommended by my tech here in Boston. The price is right too!

http://www.zzounds.com/item--HHBCDR830

Hi,

As you know from my first post in this thread, I had a HHB. It gave me (9) years of reliable service. I have heard some mixed comments regarding the CD-R 830. Some say that HHB does not build their units the way they used to. Not sure. I am not an engineer. I also know some folks really like this unit as well. HHB certainly promotes the quality of their converters in the unit.

I am still considering my choices...

Thanks!

Bob-:)