2. pc-audio
  3. 1016168237

Dell purchase

Hi folks,

I am considering buying a Dell computer. I don't have a strong desire to *play* music through my computer, but I would like to be able to copy CDs, and especially record my LPs to CD. I'd want to experiment and see the quality.

Dell offers a CD/CDR/CDW device with their machines. No brand name listed! (Just "Dell"). Any sense of the quality for these purposes?

Also they offer a choice of two "premium" sound cards. I understand sound card quality is important when recording from analog sources. Choices are: the Sound Blaster "Live" (this is a step down from the top-of-the-line soundblaster) and the "Turtle Beach Santa Cruz". Any thoughts on these two sound cards?

Or are these parts too low-quality, such that I should just buy a "bare" box and add better quality parts?

Thanks for any thoughts!
ehart

Showing 2 responses by tubegroover

tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
I recently purchased a Dell for my office. Well dude, I'm not too impressed. Since you should mention the cdw, don't know the brand nor care to, it is a piece of ...., I've attempted to make 4 copies of music and all are flawed. Data other than music SEEMS to be adequate and this is the main purpose for it. I guess I should have upgraded the cdw to one that actually works instead of the made in China no name unit I got. One thing good about Dell though is their customer service, excellent. Mac, I'll be taking a long hard look for my next home unit. I miss using them but it has been a while.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Thanks Gboren I'll check it out and get back. I really don't see how the settings have anything to do with a straight copy from one cd to another and have never found this to be a problem in the past with other computer based cdr's. Furthermore on each copy I attempted to make, I did the laborious scan mode for defects prior to copying. The unit just may well be defective.
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