Jim Lesurf wrote:
I'd like to buy an audio CD recorder. I already have a Pioneer PDR509 and
was thinking of a PDR609. However it seems this is no longer available. So
can anyone suggest an alternative that is still on sale? (Or is the PDR609
still around?)

Having had a search on the web I have the impression that Marantz, Sony,
Yamaha, and Denon may do CD recorders. However the models I've found
details of are all either:

1) CDR and HD

2) Dual drive

I don't want to 'clone' CDs. Nor do I really need a HD - although I might
go for that option if I can't find my preference which is simply for a
machine that works as the PDR509 or 609...

So, any models people can recommend?


I had a NAD double CD recorder - worked fine except for curious, very
small, 'glitches' between tracks when copying CDs - shouldn't matter in
your case. Very quiet - no fan.

Also, if anyone has one of the Yamaha CDR + HD machines, can they comment
on how easy they are to use for the following type of process:


I use a Yamaha HD1300, bought for the HD and analogue recordings.

1) Make a long recording (i.e. 80 mins) from radio whilst unattended. Of
something like a R3 concert.


It can do this according to the manual. The HD is split into 99 minutes
partitions; anything over that simply crosses over to another partion -
never tried it.

2) Then edit the results (both to set track starts/ends to divide the
recording, and the remove unwanted sections) and write to one or more CDRs.


You can indeed, but it's hardly intuitive. Ditto titles etc, although I
got a cheap serial-USB lead so I can do it on a (Windows) computer,
yippee. I'll test it to see if you like.

Also on if the HD make any audible mechanical noises whilst recording or
replaying. (Ditto for any fans if the machine has them.)

The HD makes occasional clicks, and a mild mechanical hum during use.
Not too bad, and the nature of these things. When the fan kicks in it is
noticeable, not fantastically loud though. Good ventilation around the
back means it rarely comes on, but bear in mind the unit is very deep,
so siting can be an issue.

Seems very well built, never missed a beat, copies are very good. But I
don't use it as much as I might because the interface makes editing
tricky, or perhaps more accurately - difficult for me to remember.

It's been upgraded to a 250gb model (HD1500 - mine's a 160Gb, but disks
are easy to change, c.450UKP). If you're going this route I'd take a
look at the Cambridge HD CD recorder - although I think they're both
overpriced. HTH

Rob