Price Paid:  $1200.00 from online

Summary:
This is a very good quality Pro Burner. It's got special features like a copper chassis for grounding and isolation and it's sturdier than a typical consumer model. The transport is the rock solid Pioneer Stable Platter. It looks just like a mini record turntable and the CD goes on with the label facing down. It has the sound, look, and feel of a quality unit even if the electronics are slow by today's standards. It uses 1-bit Pioneer Pulseflow D/A converters for smooth sound. Controls and connections are well thought out. It's been good enough to be my primary source for 8 years. I may finally upgrade next year, though - all the good gear in the world can't compensate for what's lost or added at the source.

About reliability, I've had no problems with the transport. I did have the laser head burn out and that costs over $400 to fix (if you can find a service center willing to repair it). The same thing happened to a friend or two with either this unit or the 850.

Strengths:
Excellent transport
Versatile digital recorder
XLR inputs
Superior isolation
Solid build quality
Playback sound quality

Weaknesses:
5532 op amps?
Slow electronics

Similar Products Used:
No other burners

Price Paid:  $699.00 from B&HPhoto

Summary:
This review is for the HHB CDR 830 Plus.
I originally wanted the HHB 850 Plus, but it seems to have been discontinued. The 830 Plus is new and incorporates all of the input and output flexability of the 850 Plus. In addition it uses a 24 bit A/D and D/A converter.

This thing is very easy to use and make excellent cds. I have been able to make digitalto digital recordings. It can bypass SCMS and has an amazing number of features. i can control gain for both analog or digital domains. It uses regular (i.e, cheap) CDR and CDRW. HHB also makes premium gold CDR which are very nice. I have used this to make cds from vinyl. The 830 has adjustable quiet level setings to help it differentiate quiet spaces to automatically insert new tracks.

Strengths:
Ease of use, 24 bit A/D D/A converters, SCMS override and use of data grade cdr/cdrw

Weaknesses:
As a playback unit, it seems a bit bright, but recorded cds sound great on my other CD and DVD players

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
If you are interested in recording your own audio CDs BUY THIS UNIT. This unit has all the connections (coax,fiber,XLR, as well as balanced and unbalanced analog ins). when hooked up with a CD-Player (with a digital out), recording is easy. This unit uses the normal computer CDRs not the special Audio CDR which run a couple of dollars more per.
The unit contains a stable platter you place the CD Label down. Laser is less vunerable to dust. Makes a great transport. The construction blows any other player away. Solid copper plate underneath for grounding and isolation, rack mounts, and sturdy Professional Studio quality construction.

I purchased my online for around 1200.00

regards