Think of the CDR 26 as a "dubbing cassette deck for the digital millennium." Make your own custom CDs with just your favorite tracks, or copy an entire disc using inexpensive CD-R blanks. The CDR 26's 4x dubbing speed allows you to copy an hour-long program in just fifteen minutes – and speed up other key recorder functions. It also features synchronized recording from external sources: the recorder starts at exactly the same time as the source, which can be digital or analog. Finally, the CDR 26 is also a superb CD player with continuous two-disc or one-time/one-disc playback, headphone jack with level control and full-featured ergonomic remote control.
Summary: The sound quality with this model was good, no complaints. The primary use for this product was to record
original compositions from a midi keyboard. It was in use maybe twice a month. After the first year, there was a problem with the left disc tray sticking but, a little nudge would do the trick. Then the right tray started
sticking. As time went by, the problem worsened to the point where neither tray would function. I removed
the cover to locate the jamb and discovered that they were not jambed, the problem is that the mechanisms
that run the trays in and out ceased to function. According to Circuit City, this was a top of the line unit at the time of purchase, which influenced my decision to buy it. Since Circuit City stores no longer exist, I contacted
Harman Kardon about this problem and was given the option to send it out for repairs. The only place I'm sending it is into the trash can and I'm ordering a Tascam. Very disappointed.
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Rating Reviewed by: Dan Sisto(Unregistered User)
(Casual Listener)
Review Date November 29, 2009
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
Review 2 of 10
Price Paid:
$0.00
Summary: After two years, one disk continuously got stuck and had to be pried out regularly.
After three years, the second disk continuously got stuck.
I stopped trying to fix it; now need to just replace this piece.
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Summary: The layout of this recorder is extremely "un-user-friendly". I do a lot of recording in low-light situations, and the button layout makes no sense at all. I understand that there is some space that is saved by using the tiny round buttons, but there is a ton of functionality lost in its place.
Strengths: It says Harman Kardon on it, and there are 2 drives.
Weaknesses: See my review summary. Most of what I have to say about this recorder falls into the weakness category.
Similar Products Used: I own the Tascam CDRW 750 and the Tascam CDRW 900, and I hate to use the HK after using the Tascam recorders.
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Rating Reviewed by: SAM J.(Unregistered User)
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date June 7, 2006
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
2.00 votes
Review 4 of 10
Price Paid:
$499.00
from Circuit City
Summary: Overall a great unit, but has a few flaws.
Strengths: Great overall sound quality, It looks good.
Weaknesses: I feel that be-it consumer burner, or pro burner, I should not have to hunt disc that will work in my unit, especially since I paid almost $500.00 for it.
Because its a consumer burner you have to get blank cd, or cdr media that bears the logo DIGITAL AUDIO on it, or it wont work in this player. I am an audio engineer, and I use this unit in my studio, and a lot of the stores do not carry cdr media for
consumer burners. The disc that are availble like memorex need to be burned in SATANS HOT FURNICE because the product is no good. I recommend the TDK, or Sony Disc media If you can find them.
So the main weaknesses are CD Compatibility, and yea, track advancement on 3 secs of silence, and yea that little door flaw, you have to tap it to get it to open.
Similar Products Used: NONE
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Summary: I originally bought a CDR-20(?, whatever the older model was called) and had serious problems with its left side tray. HK promptly replaced the unit with a CDR-26 which has worked very reliably (3-4 hours a day for 1 year). I dubbed most of my CDs, recorded both from the analog and digital inputs and was always pleased with the result. BTW the CDR-26 can also be used as an (entry-level) DAC: just connect your computer sound-card digital output to the CDR-26, put a recordable CD in, start the recording process (leaving it in PAUSE) and off you go: the line-out and the headphone jack give you a pretty decent sound (vastly superior to most computer soundcards).
Strengths: does its job (record CDs) as advertised
customer service
connectivity (digital and analog)
decent headphone jack
decent DAC
Weaknesses: poor user interface
left side tray (CDP) requires clean CDs
no CD-R/SACD/DVD-A playing
Similar Products Used: none
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