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Advice on recording audio CD-R's

I recently bought a Sony RCD-W1 audio CD recorder, and have a couple of questions for those who have experience recording audio CD's. For the purpose of this post, I assume that the features on my unit are similar to other brands.

1. The RCD-W1 allows you to record from CD to CD-R/CD-RW at either "normal"/realtime speed, or 4X "speed synchro". Analog high-speed dubbing reduces the audio quality of the dubbed version. Based on your experience, have any of you been able to detect audible differences between the "normal" vs. high-speed versions of CD-R copies?

2. I plan to make CD-R copies of many of my old LP's. According to the instruction manual with the unit, the level of the analog input must be set to remain below the "distortion" point, just like analog tape recordings. Based on your experiences making copies from analog to CD-R, is it better to keep the recording level well below the overload point, or are CD-R's reasonably forgiving when the "red light" blinks?

Any advice on these questions, plus any other advice you may have, will be sincerely appreciated.
sdcampbell
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Sd; Stereophile, not too long ago, reviewed a couple of consumer grade CD-R/RW burners-- you could find the review issue listed in a Recommended Components issue as both players were recommended. I believe a $500. JVC and (I think) a Denon or Marantz at about $1500.

The review was done by M. Fremer, and he concluded that at 1X record speed either made excellent copies, but for analog copying the more expensive CD-R was superior, ie it had a better A to D converter. You might want to look up this review as Fremer did some LP copying also (if I remember right). Also, the the more expensive CD-R burner made a better transport. My Pioneer 739 does not make a very good transport, but that's comparing it to a ML 37.

I have copied many CDs with a Pioneer 739 at both 1X and 2X, and cannot really hear a difference between the copy and the original when using digital, but after Fremer's comments decided that I'd just use 1X to be sure. Good Luck. Craig.
sean
6,231 posts
 
I agree with Grumpy BB. Digital overload does NOT sound good. On the same hand, you want to keep the signal up as high as possible. In plain English, "ride the edge but don't step over it". As to where "the edge" is on your specific recorder / meter, you'll have to experiment a little bit.

In terms of high speed digital dubbing, i have had no major problems as of yet. You might want to check over in the "general" asylum over at AA though, as there is currently a thread covering some of the same information over there. Sean
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garfish
1,840 posts
 
.......I'd just add that it is important to keep record level below "redline"-- my Pioneer manual recommends that and it's been my experience too. If record level is set too high, mids and treble become very harsh quickly. Craig
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