PC CDR Burner recommendations?

[metalbob]

As an offshoot of another thread, I have recently had some problems with my CDR burner. I am considering replacing it and was curious what brands/models anyone could recommend. I am currently using an HP burner, but I am sure that there are much better brands out there (i.e. Plextor, Yamaha etc.)

Any help would be great.

Thanks,

BOB

[Steve-oh]

I've had a Plextor for three years, and it's worked wonderfully. The only trouble I ran into was some dust screwing things up (I didn't know it at the time), and the support people were less than helpful. I was directed toward that conclusion by someone on a mailing list.

[-=Rudy=-]

I've had a few friends with Yamaha drives experience premature deaths, on top of being noisy. I believe they're out of the CD-RW drive business now, or shutting down that division. (There was another thread here about it.)

My TDK has been working great for two years now. It's a mere 16x10x40, but rips audio at a max of 25x. Except for one or two other hardware problems, it has burned good CDs each time, all at maximum speed. I'm looking at a new drive since I moved the TDK to the wifey's computer, and she will probably take it with her when she moves out in a few months. :( A good excuse for me to get a new one though. :D

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Steve-oh
I've had a Plextor for three years, and it's worked wonderfully. The only trouble I ran into was some dust screwing things up (I didn't know it at the time), and the support people were less than helpful. I was directed toward that conclusion by someone on a mailing list.

I have a problematic DVD-ROM drive in #1 computer right now. I still remain convinced that a bad IDE controller on the old motherboard caused it--it can't read a disc now without hesitating at each chapter break or (on CDs) track change. Reading CD-ROMs very slowly also, and all hardware is set up properly. (This new Asus motherboard *smokes*, but I still have the problem with the drive.)

How do you clean the laser in these? Disassemble? (It would probably be safest, vs. any of those cleaning discs.) I'm almost ready to replace the drive, since they've become so cheap that it almost doesn't pay to try and salvage the old one.

[Michael St. Clair]

Roundup of 52X drives (http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Articles/Specific.asp?ArticleHeadline=52X+CD%2DRW +Roundup+Vol2&Series=0).

I picked up that Aopen rebranded as a Buslink for $20 after rebate (Best Buy) a few weeks ago. Aopen and Liteon can compete and sometimes beat Plextor these days.

[metalbob]

Originally posted by Michael St. Clair
Roundup of 52X drives (http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Articles/Specific.asp?ArticleHeadline=52X+CD%2DRW +Roundup+Vol2&Series=0).

I picked up that Aopen rebranded as a Buslink for $20 after rebate (Best Buy) a few weeks ago. Aopen and Liteon can compete and sometimes beat Plextor these days.

You mentioned in a PM to me a while back you have been burning at 52X. Are you finding any problems with burning at speeds that fast?

[David Albrecht]

I've been thru two HPs, and after much research I decided to give a LITE-ON a try. Every reviewer and user just seemed to love these things, especially at the price. I've got the Internal 40x12x48 (model # ??... not even sure if its still available), and have burned lots of discs with it so far.

I got mine here (excellent price, fast shipping and double packageing), but you might want to shop around...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=5&manufactory=1336&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

[Sckott]

Originally posted by Michael St. Clair

I picked up that Aopen rebranded as a Buslink for $20 after rebate (Best Buy) a few weeks ago. Aopen and Liteon can compete and sometimes beat Plextor these days. [/B]

Yes. Plextor or a Lite On. Lite Ons are very inexpensive, and are heavy performers, very reliable, haven't seen one die prematurely. :)

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by David Albrecht
I've been thru two HPs, and after much research I decided to give a LITE-ON a try. Every reviewer and user just seemed to love these things, especially at the price. I've got the Internal 40x12x48 (model # ??... not even sure if its still available), and have burned lots of discs with it so far.

I got mine here (excellent price, fast shipping and double packageing), but you might want to shop around...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=5&manufactory=1336&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

I have had two HPs and one lasted a little over a year and the other 8 months. I moved on to a TDK model and have had no problems whatsoever for over a year.

I will try a Lite On next time if the need arises...God forbid!

[Grant]

I had an HP7200 that lasted exactly one year.

I have an HP5075i that has lasted four years and still works well, but it is noisy.

My wife has a Plextor Plex Combo 20/10/40-12A that works fine

I have a November 2002 built Yamaha F1 that works well and is quiet. So far, so good!

Since Yamaha is out of the burner business, I suggest a Plextor. Some TDK burners were made by Plextor.

My concern is making good, solid burns. I don't care about how fast the thing is.

[Michael St. Clair]

You mentioned in a PM to me a while back you have been burning at 52X. Are you finding any problems with burning at speeds that fast?

No, I'm burning at 16x and 24x (on a 52x drive). With quality Taiyo Yuden media, I am having no problems whatsoever.

[metalbob]

For those in the market for a Plextor drive, this is the model I found on the Best Buy website. There is a $20 rebate courtesy of Plextor right on their website:

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/48_24_48A.html

[Gardo]

Here's another vote for Lite-on.

[Andrew]

Originally posted by Gardo
Here's another vote for Lite-on.


Me too.

[Michael St. Clair]

This week there is a 52x24x52 "Verbatim" drive at Best Buy for $20 after rebate. Here is some info from another site on how to tell if the drive was made by Lite-On (sometimes the same retail drive will use more than one OEM drive source).

I'm fairly certain you can determine which boxes contain a Lite-On drive. The boxes that have a 12-digit numeric serial number will likely be Lite-Ons (something like 230045800657). The boxes that have an alphanumeric S/N (like 2CDM65460027) probably won't contain a Lite-On. Cendyne does this and Verbatim is part of the same company.

You can tell if the drive is a Lite-On once you open it up if the faceplate looks similar to the one pictured on the box. I think these drives come with Verbatim firmware but you can flash it to the latest Lite-On firmware if you're so inclined (although that may cause the bundled version of Nero not to work with the drive).

[audio]

Just read a rave review in Tape Op today for the Yamaha CRW-F1. I almost whipped out the card and ordered one on the spot. What attracted me to the unit was the fact that it has an "audio master" mode that the reviewer claimed made an incredible difference in sound quality. Without anything resembling a technical explanation, I was a little suspicious, but the way the guy talked about "audio master mode" made it sound like the answer to my prayers. Then I found this superb review and decided to stick with my older burner:

http://www.reviewmakers.com/showdoc.php?review=50

Still, I've heard a lot of good things about the Yamaha CRW-F1. It may be worth checking out, who knows.

[Grant]

I have an F1 and I am VERY happy with it! It is the newer one manufactured AFTER November 2002, so it is NOT one of the problem burners that most people seem to own and are unhappy with.

The AMQ does make a difference, I believe, and I have not burned a coaster yet. The drive is as quiet as can be. I do not burn or rip at the highest speed, so that will probably help me avoid any potential problems.

If you can still find the one in the white box, grab it!

[Grant]

Originally posted by prix
Then I found this superb review and decided to stick with my older burner:



What is it about the burner that turned you off? The reviewer gave it a 9/10 and was highly recommended!

[audio]

Originally posted by Grant


What is it about the burner that turned you off? The reviewer gave it a 9/10 and was highly recommended!

What turned me off was the part about the "audio master" mode either sounding worse or having no measurable effect on the quality of the disc. I'm sure the unit is an excellent burner and probably much better than the 3 year old Sony I've got in the computer now, but if it's not going to GREATLY improve the sound quality of my copies there is no reason for me to spend the money to upgrade at this time.

[Grant]

Originally posted by prix


What turned me off was the part about the "audio master" mode either sounding worse or having no measurable effect on the quality of the disc. I'm sure the unit is an excellent burner and probably much better than the 3 year old Sony I've got in the computer now, but if it's not going to GREATLY improve the sound quality of my copies there is no reason for me to spend the money to upgrade at this time.

First, the AMQ feature is optional. You don't have to, or can't use it on all burns. Second, it really is a matter of opinion on if AMQ sounds petter. I think it helps the CD-R sound really smooth and if nothing else, increases the disc's playability, compatability, and longevity by burning the "pits" twice as long as as the red-book-standard requires. I welcome the enhancements, and are well worth the money spent, seeing that you can find it sold for around $129-$149 most places you find it.

The reason my CD-Rs and rips sound superior is because the unit has exceptionally low jitter rates, which affects the sound significantly.

My priorities are good burns, assured compatability, and excellent sound.

But, Yamaha has ended production of CD-R burners and media, so if you find one in the WHITE box, grab it, and update the firmware!

[audio]

Originally posted by Grant


First, the AMQ feature is optional. You don't have to, or can't use it on all burns. Second, it really is a matter of opinion on if AMQ sounds petter. I think it helps the CD-R sound really smooth and if nothing else, increases the disc's playability, compatability, and longevity by burning the "pits" twice as long as as the red-book-standard requires. I welcome the enhancements, and are well worth the money spent, seeing that you can find it sold for around $129-$149 most places you find it.

The reason my CD-Rs and rips sound superior is because the unit has exceptionally low jitter rates, which affects the sound significantly.

My priorities are good burns, assured compatability, and excellent sound.

But, Yamaha has ended production of CD-R burners and media, so if you find one in the WHITE box, grab it, and update the firmware!

Woah, they aren't making them anymore?? Tell me more. How do I know the "good" version? A white box as opposed to what? How do you update the firmware? You've got me with the low jitter issue and the description about the way the pits are burned. I want one now.

[Grant]

Yamaha says that CD burners are a commodity now, and it's a hard road for the demand for computer "audiophile" burners, especially when you can pick up a cheap burner for $50 nowadays. Most people don't care about sound quality.

The burners in the brown/grey "tough" looking box are the ones most p[eople have, and the ones that people have been complaining about. The ones produced starting last November are the better ones. I have one of the newer ones.

The unit is enhanced by a firmware upgrade that you can download from Yamaha's website. It is highly recommemded, although David Modny says it didn't work for him.

There is a whole lot written about the effects of jitter and how it affects the quality of the sound of music.

AMQ II works by writing the pits longer, which supposedly helps players to read the disc, and slows the effects aging may have on a CD-R.

[audio]

Originally posted by Grant
Yamaha says that CD burners are a commodity now, and it's a hard road for the demand for computer "audiophile" burners, especially when you can pick up a cheap burner for $50 nowadays. Most people don't care about sound quality.

The burners in the brown/grey "tough" looking box are the ones most p[eople have, and the ones that people have been complaining about. The ones produced starting last November are the better ones. I have one of the newer ones.

The unit is enhanced by a firmware upgrade that you can download from Yamaha's website. It is highly recommemded, although David Modny says it didn't work for him.

There is a whole lot written about the effects of jitter and how it affects the quality of the sound of music.

AMQ II works by writing the pits longer, which supposedly helps players to read the disc, and slows the effects aging may have on a CD-R.

Is there a version that fits inside the computer itself that is good, or only the stand alone unit??

[Grant]

Originally posted by prix


Is there a version that fits inside the computer itself that is good, or only the stand alone unit??

They made two flavors, one that fits inside the computer case, and one external unit.

I personally favor the internal type because of the throughput on myb slow computer.

Yamaha recommends that you use the F1 with a fast computer, but it isn't important unless you are looking to use the unit at it's fastest speed.

The good burner comes in the newer white box with a picture of the burner and three CD-Rs with the T@2 designs on them.

Prix, there are two or three other threads about this burner. Do a search.