Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
After having gone thru 2 outboard computer cdr/rw burners and 2 other consumer audio cdr/rw machines, I had to post again on this wonderful machine. It''s slow 1x/1x but it makes a great sounding if not exact duplicate of anything digital you put in to it. This is one of those cult classic pieces of gear. Buy one if you can find it and are patient (only runs at one speed, real time slow, sit back and listen to the music as you burn). Have had dropouts, skips, unreadable discs, and distortion with any other rig, computer or consumer audio.

Strengths:
Possibly exact digital copies, certainly great sounding copies for the car or whatever.

Weaknesses:
Slow 1x write speed, no hard drive for editing, no read in buffer.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha CDR/RW computer burner, Iomega CR/RW burner, Sony CDR machine, Yamaha cdr hd1000

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Natural Sound

Summary:
This unit is not as convenient for digital to digital recording as the new units such as the PDR-39RW. However, I tried two PDR-39RWs and they both broke within a week. The Denon does a better job recording from analog sources.

The PDR-19 has an outstanding DAC and analog output stage. The transport is very mediocre. I use my Sony DVM650D DVD player as transport, through a Cardas Lightning coax cable. I then run from the Pioneer in monotor mode through Cardas Golden Cross into a Denon 4800 in analog direct mode through the preamp out by Cardas TwinLink cables to a Rotel 991B power amp. The sound is just tremendous.

Strengths:
Superb DAC and analog output stage.

Weaknesses:
Indifferent analog recording quality. Cannot power off from remote.

Similar Products Used:
Denon 1000, Pioneer Elite PDR-39RW

Price Paid:  $879.00 from Online

Summary:
Pioneer Elite PDR-19RW CD Recorder
Re-Recording up to 500 Times
44.1 kHz Sampling Frequency
Hi-Bit Legato Link Conversion
24-Bit D/A Converter
20-Bit A/D Converter
Optical & Coaxial Digital Input & Output
Copper Chassis Construction
Acoustically Dampened Chassis
High Voltage Power Supply
Get it for:$879.00

Summary:
You cannot find a better unit than this esppecially if you can get it for just under 400.00 as I did!!!Mine is mounted on an isolation platform with an extra set of Audioquest Bigfeet with this set up, using JPS Superconducter innerconnects the analog sound is fantastic.Better I say, BETTER than dogital.The direct cd to cd using a optical or coax [I have tried both] sounds as good.You can't tell which is which!!I have also taken some tracks from laser disc onto c/d [they too sound killer]The underside of this c/d recorder ai SOLID COOPER.AS I stated earlier build quality is 2cd to none.Run don't walk and buy one and HOPEFULLY you can get as lucky as I and STEAL ONE for a song!!!!!!Happy listening.and remember,it's the MUSIC THAT MATTERS!!!!!!!

Strengths:
This c/d recorder just BEGS to be turned on!!It evokes QUALITY!!!!!The build quality, as with all top elite is 2cd to none.Easy to make direct c/d recordings.I have been recording from satellite using the analog outs and it sounds AWSOME.I thought about Pioneer's entry level single disc recorder, but I only paid about 80.00 more for this,the deal came along real quick so I jumped on it.

Weaknesses:
There are NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:
None,this is the BEST C/D RECORDER OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!

Summary:
I have used a Phillips CDR for about a year and a half, and been fairly happy with it. I got into the Pioneer through a contact on ebay, got it at a very good price, and couldn't be happier with the unit. It is extremely easy to use, and works better than the Phillips unit. Start and stop mean just that, not wait a second or two to implement the command. The sound from the unit is quite nice, as good or better than that produced by my MSB link-DAC. The synchro dubbing with automatic finilization is a very nice feature too. The A-D section of the unit is very capable, copies made that way are nearly indistinguishable from the origional. With blank audio CD-R discs down to about $ .75, I am happy I went with this unit rather than a prosumer deck that would take all discs.

Strengths:
Outstanding fidelity, excellent ergonomics, very easy to use

Weaknesses:
another crummy remote with tiny buttons and hard to read legends

Similar Products Used:
Phillips