Price Paid:  $500.00 from guitar center

Summary:
I love the versatility of this thing. Selctable SCMS, digital AES/EBU, co-ax, optical inputs.

I sometimes use it for a CD source using its digital co-ax output (yes, it does have one) into Audio alchemy Pro33DTI/DDE V3.0 HDCD D/A or into a lexicon DC-1 4.0 digital controller.

Using my DBX 386 tube pre-amp with their typeIV A/D conversion, one can make great copies of tapes, vinyl etc. Sometimes these even sound better then pre-recordes CD's!!

Strengths:
very well built.
AES/EBU input
balanced analog input

Weaknesses:
--Picky about brand of computer-grade CD-R's/CD-RW's. I've used maxell CD-R's, and they always work--and play even in older pre-CD-R equipment.
--- SRC sample rate convertor handles sampling from 11Hz to 56Hz; doesn't digitally record 96Hz/24bit, DSD etc. (new Tascam DV-RA1000 does)

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer PDR-509 CD-R recorder
Rotel RCD1070 HDCD
Denon DVD-2900 DVD-A/SACD
Audio Alchemy Pro 32DTI,DEv3.0,DLC
M audio 9624 Superdac

Price Paid:  $379.00 from American Digital

Summary:
Without a doubt this is the best "pro" digital recording system anybody
can own, with features like: SCMS manipulation (selectable), record on
"pro" (computer type) and consumer type discs, and much more, etc....
The recording and playback are beyond my expectations. I bought this
unit mainly for archiving my "out of print" vinyl collection. Its response is
very quick when the record button is activated (which is very important
for those of you who knows what I mean when it comes to perfect vinyl
archiving). The large digital/analog level/function dial on the right works
just like a professional mixing board, which fades in and out with perfect timing.
This is a bigger plus over the new CDR500 (dual well), because if you
want to do perfect discriminating recordings, you will need the level
select dial. I currently run a coax out from my Pioneer PDR555RW to
clone pure digital extras. All I can say is: why spend $600.00 or more
for a high end consumer deck (NAD) when you can get a pro unit like
this...and the Playback and Recording results far exceeded my
expectations...A true winner!!!

Strengths:
Crisp/Powerful Playback Sound, Beyond Excellent Recording
Reproduction, Records on all disc types plus "Pro" (computer discs),
Digital Level Recording, Complete Selectable SCMS, CD Text Inputs,
2X Finalization, Fast and Direct Multiple Play
functions (10 key, large green button play, or level select play),
Professional AES/EBU, XLR I/O. Gorgeous rugged design/built.

Weaknesses:
No Coax out, fader does not completely fade
out...still hear recordings when turn volume
up to max(no biggie, I can bypass this
method by using a mixing board or through
my PDR555RW),very sensitive to disc type
or certain disc manufactured, ie: it
sometimes won't detect the disc...(this
only happens when I use an unpopular
disc brand) but however, my PDR555RW
can detect any disc brand/type.

Similar Products Used:
Technics/Phillips DCC, Pioneer PDR555RW.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Parts Express

Summary:
Wanted to transfer many of my vinyl recordings to CD. Didn't like the idea of computer programs designed for this purpose so I decided to go with a CD recorder. After many hours of reading reviews of "consumer" models, I decided on the Studio Marantz model.
This machine does it all. I won't go too far in depth as you can read most of the details of it's capabilities in the Specifications above.
The 631 is very user friendly, extreamly easy to use and can substitute as your main player in your system if need be. I haven't done any playback comparisons as of yet because I have another player in my main system.
Quality of recorded CD is perfect. recordings maintain all the inner detail, resolution, depth, etc. of the original source. My setup consist of unballanced RCA connection through the tape out of my Jolida tube preamp.
Time will tell on the reliability of this unit as it is too new at this point. For now it gets 5 stars as I believ it is 'amoung' the best in component CD recorders.

Strengths:
Evrything as listed in it's specifications above. User friendly. Excellent manual.
Great bargin (at my cost)

Weaknesses:
Real time recording for CDs as it is a single draw unit.
Wouln't matter for vinyl anyway.

Similar Products Used:
Only did instore comparisons of some consumer models that don't have most of the features of this unit. Have tried various consumer units from friends.