CD Recorders and Mega-Changers


The last few years have ushered in several inexpensive CD recorders. While the overall price for these players still hasn’t dipped below the $600 mark, the amount of features has increased two-fold, amounting to more bang for the buck. Double- speed recording to decrease recording time by half and recording on both CD-R and CD-RW discs is now standard. Recording from any digital media (i.e., MD, DCC or DAT) is possible due to the inclusion of a sample frequency converter. Many units even provide digital outputs to be used with an external DAC. However, all next generation CD recorders provide 24-bit/96kHz DACs.

Pioneer’s $1,200 PD-R19W features a 20-bit A/D converter and a 24-bit DAC with Hi-Bit conversion to re-quantify a CD’s standard 16-bit data to 24-bit resolution. An exclusive signal-to-noise circuit detects and reduces input signal noise from all sources. The unit recognizes the beginning and end of each track on all digital media, properly synchronizing source and record devices. The PD-R19W is capable of identifying the disc manufacturer and optimizing for the best possible recording.

Harman Kardon offers the CD2 for consideration. It is the only consumer CD recorder to provide 2x and 4x-speed recording. CD-RW’s can only be recorded at the 2x speed setting, but that is a leap beyond any other CD-RW recorder. The unit is a dual tray design, where one transport is used for playback, while the other records. A front panel coax digital input is provided for portable MDs and DATs. The feature-laden and uniquely distinguishable CD2 will retail for $799.

Marantz, one of the first companies to make a CD recorder, adds the dual tray DR-6050 to their lineup with 2x-speed recording for both CD-R and CD-RW media. It is possible to duplicate HDCD recordings and keep the encoding intact. Marantz demonstrates what leadership means by offering the only CD recorder with a digital recording level function, compensating for the varying volumes found from one CD to the next. Until now, recorders only provided level control on analog sources. At $699, the DR-6050 raises the bar on affordable CD recorders.

The $699 CDR-1000 from Denon features an external monitor that allows a recording check prior to burning the disc. When the REC button is pressed (disc is not loaded), the incoming signal is heard through the outputs, so that recording levels can be accurately set. The Fade--In/Out offers variable fade time adjustment to automatically fade in the beginning of a track or fade out at the end for smooth transitions between cuts from different CDs. The disc finalization is twice as fast as other CD recorders and the text input feature makes it possible to input the title and artist’s name onto the disc, so that it will appear on CD players with CD Text capabilities.

To make those great compilation discs, you need a special CD changer. Denon has the answer with the DCM-5000, perhaps the most sophisticated CD Mega-Changer yet devised, featuring a dual transport for continuous play. While one disc is playing, another can be selected and cued up. The Cross Fader automatically mixes the sound from the two transports to put you in the DJ seat. The DCM-5000 can be connected to five DCM-5001 slave units for control of 600 discs. Both master and slave are dual-zone capable and a keyboard may be attached to enter disc information. The RS-232 allows control by a PC or the Escient TuneBase system. Incorporating HDCD decoding, the DCM-5000 retials for $1,800. (Each salve is an additional $1,300.)