quite easy to use; excellent sound reproduction

As a test, I listened to both the original CD and the copy at the same time, and I could not tell which was what. I think Pioneer could include the optical cable with the unit. I had to return the first unit because it wouldn't read the discs when coming back after a break to continue to record. I was using pioneer cd's. After replacing the unit, everything is fine, but I haven't tried using the pioneer cd's. I was being charged $10 per pioneer cd, but searched around and now can get Maxwell, etc, for around 6 bucks. If I buy 10 at once, they are around 5 bucks each.
I can't say how it stacks up against other machines, because I haven't used any other brand. I am quite satisified with this machine. I considered a mini disc system but hardly anyone uses this format, making the discs useless almost everywhere.

GREAT SOUND QUALITY, 3 TYPES OF HOOKUPS, HIGH QUALITY DA CONVERTERS.

WILL NOT RECORD DATA CD-R'S.

THIS IS AN ADDITION TO MY PREVIOUS REVIEW. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE OTHER REVIEWERS OF THE PDR-509 ARE HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. I haven't had any since I have been using it! I got a 30 pack spindle of cdr's(Memorex), and they perform perfectly as does discs from Maxell, Verbatim, Imation, Fuji. The only mistakes I made were my own and with skip id's, the Pioneer is very forgiving. I used the analog inputs at first but switched to the coaxial to use the sync feature. This feature makes for goof-proof recording. I did not go out and spend a ridiculous amount on a coaxial cable, I use a Monster Cable Video 2 and it works just fine, I seriously doubt that a so-called esoteric cable would be any better. When compared with a analog tape deck, this recorder blows it out of the water! I have no major complaints with this recorder. I urge anyone who owns this unit to read the manual THOROUGHLY to understand this unit. Since we are dealing with optical/digital format, I would strongly suggest the following: Quality cables throughout your system, surge protection(APC IS VERY GOOD), some type of isolation base to set the pdr-509 on as well as your source if it is a cd player or turntable. Use only name brand music cd-r's. And last but not least...have some patience with this unit. For those owners having problems...take it back until you get a unit that is in correct working order, or buy a pro unit. Don't keep hassling with it trying to figure out what's wrong with it! Mine works perfectly, bit perfect copies every time, and I have no coasters.

Similar Products Used:

NONE.

very easy to use, multiple outputs and inputs

I never use that remote!

This unit is incredibly easy to use and makes good recordings- even decent ones of old tapes/LP's etc. I worried that I would not be able to play the CDR's in my car but have not had any problems whatsoever. Even though I had made recordings of some songs which dipped into the red, (a big no no), I have not heard any audible distortion.

Similar Products Used:

none

?

Incompatable Sampling Rate Converters

This is an update to my previous review. No thanks to Pioneer's Service or Support Center, I finally found the reason for the incompatability.

God bless Crutchfield for their over acheiveing work. They have put an excellent description on each CD recorder and minidisc model they sell. I guess that's why they're the top internet/mail order company. Unfortunately, they are just as expensive as Best Buy, Circuit City and other chains, and sometimes even more expensive. I guess their ability to get hard to find info. that even some specialty audio stores don't know, can be an expense for them.

What I've found out is the Pioneer's sampling converter is only compatable with either 32Khz or 48Khz, nothing else! My Dish Network's signal must float somewhere between 44Khz and 48Khz, as all my devices that I've used display one or the other. Also, their site states that the JVC CDR deck also only works with 32Khz and 48Khz(odd since they manufacture and sell DISH NETWORK satellite systems).

The HK CDR2 and Philip CDR785 decks DID work with the Dish Network PCM output because the Philips works with sampling frequencies from 16Khz to 56Khz. The HK CDR2 works with frequencies from 32Khz to 96Khz. Also the Onkyo works with frequencies from 32Khz to 48Khz.

So according to Crutchfield's information(whether it's all true or not), the HK, Philips, and Onkyo CD recorders have sampling rate converter that will work for almost any frequency, including Dish Network's. The Pioneer and JVC will only work with systems with 32Khz(Direct TV is the only system that I know of that uses this frequency) and 48Khz(DCC, DAT, and DVD are the system that I know that use that frequency).

Interesting, both my Sony minidisc recorders recorded the Dish Network PCM signal, although the Crutchfield information states they work with only 32Khz or 48Khz. The home unit displayed that the Dish Net. PCM signal was 48Khz. Maybe Sony converters are a bit looser in what they accept and push it to a frequency they do accept, 48?

Similar Products Used:

HK CDR2, Pioneer 739, Philips 785(The Best)

Digital recording -- what more can I say.
Ease of use.
Cost

Blanks are expensive when mistakes are made.

I have a large collection of LPs from the early to middle 1970s. Many are regional bands on indie labels, so are not likely to be found on CD.
So far I have burned 10 CDs and about 6 coasters. The 10 CDs have turned out superb. Of the coasters, 4 were due to operator error in not paying close enough attention to the instructions and the other 2 were the result of an LP which was well past its prime and skipped a lot.
I have had no problems with phase shifting.
I have not found the price of CD blanks to be prohibitive. A high quality cassette tape costs as much, if not more. And tapes are subject to problems which affect the sound of the finished product: hiss, wow, flutter, saturation at lower Db levels.
I predict that within the next two years, the bugs will be worked out of the hardware and the price will come down to less than $250 for a good quality CD recorder. When that occurs, the days of the audio cassette will be numbered.

Similar Products Used:

N/A

Good Looking and performing recorder/player.

None that I have found

Good Looking and performing recorder/player. have yet to detect any problems listed in other reviews. makes me think they bought lemons. With low end equipment you get what you paid for. I would never have payed retail, but for $ 40.00 and a 7 day warranty you can't go wrong. I will use it for a few months and then sell it on Ebay. Quite a few features for a low end deck. It takes only consumer recordable CD's but they cost less than .50 each around here on a spindle and less than $1.00 for a Cd Recordalbe and a Jewel Box, virtually the same price as a Data CD. The manual tells you what type of discs it records on, so it is not a weakness, but a failure of a buyer to research a purchase. The remote is small, but come on can you really record a CD on a stereo deck with a remote. What about your source CD Player? If you are copying a disc completely there is only one button you need to push, if you are mixing and matching, you need to cue up your source anyway. This deck has exceeded my expectations. Makes a good low end beginning deck, for the first time buyer. Just make sure you get a good warranty, and buy a CDRW to pratice on. In my opinion the only way to mess up a disc is by not being familiar with its operations, read the manual and understand it. If you are more technically inclined and computer literate buy a computer CD Burner.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, Harmon Kardon, Philips Computer CD Recorder

Ability to adjust digital volume.

No double speed recording.

I purchased this recorder to replace a Philips CDR870. Although the Philips had the advantage of being able to record on data (not audio) CDs, it never worked right for me. Besides, blank audio CDs have come down so much in price that there is virtually no premium. Compared to the Philips, I love the Pioneer. I have burned nearly 100 CDs, and only 1 failed during the recording session. The sound is great--identical to the original according to my ears. My only quibbles are the lack of 2X recording and the slow final initialization (4 minutes, 4 seconds). Both features I believe are incorporated in the newer model PD-R609.

Similar Products Used:

Philips CDR870

Sturdy construction, excellent recordings, informative display, quiet transport mechanism.

The remote consists of indistinguishable rows of tiny black buttons.

I bought this recorder at an incredible price since it was an open-box return at my local Sears. I have never regretted the purchase for a minute. The person who returned it to the store claiming that it did not work had never even opened the plastic seal around the owner's manual. If you read the manual, you will be able to make superb recordings with this machine. Although I have made a few coasters by not paying attention to input selections or level settings, the recorder itself has performed flawlessly. I have used this recorder to make hundreds of CD's from both analog and digital sources. The results have always been impeccable. Some reviewers have listed the inability to record on data CD-R media as a weakness in this recorder. The Pioneer cannot be faulted for this. The recording industry itself requires that the manufacturers of recordable audio CD's pay royalty fees. This is why the audio discs cost a few pennies more than the data media. Just pay attention to the package and buy the right ones. If you want to use the cheaper discs, you need to use a computer CD-burner. I have seen the successor to the PDR-509. It weighs much less and appears to be made with more plastic components. I much prefer the PDR-509. If you see one at a bargain price, pick it up. But do not attempt to operate it without following the instructions in the manual.

Similar Products Used:

Philips CDR 770; Nakamichi, Sony, Teac and Technics cassette decks

Not many

A whole bunch

Don't buy this machine before you look at the Teac RW-D250 for less money at Costco.The Teac is waaayyy better and costs less money and if you have problems with it you can take it back within a couple of years.My father has one of their tape decks that is 25 years old and it is working like a charm and remember they were the first to be around.The teac is also a great CD Player and it is very highly recomended.

ALSO IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE AXIOM M3TI'S WHICH ARE A BOOKSHELF SPEAKER GO TO GOODSOUND.COM OR SOUNDSTAGE.COM AND READ THE AWESOME REVIEWS AND THEY ARE COMPARING THE $300 M3'S TO $20,000 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS AND THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS AND NOT SALESMAN.OUTSTANDING IS ALL I CAN SAY!

Oh I better get back to the pioneer.The drawers always lock up and they have big problems with this machine and also the 709 and I have friends around Hi-Fi audio and also big superstores and they sell this machine and say it is one of the worst products they carry.Pioneer better pick their socks up and start making some good products because mixed reviews don't go far with people who investigate at audioreview.com.

Try the Teac for yourself and see if you think the pioneer is overpriced and cheaply made.

Similar Products Used:

Teac RW-D250

Ability to adjust the outcome of the recorded disc

none

I'v had this machine now for over a year, recorded 150 discs and am very happy with it.What I really like about it is that I can record an older and muddy sounding disc and make it sound better than the original. On a new and already good sounding one the outcome is the same as the original. The sound for playing discs is a bit on the bright side. Over all I think it is a great machine.

Similar Products Used:

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