Do CD-R's sound the same as originals

My experience has been much different than Mfgreps above post. When a good source component, good CD, good blanks, and good recorder are used at 1X speed, I've made many excellent CD-Rs using Pioneer W-739 and 509 recorders at 1X speed. I would expect that CD-R recordings made on cheap, high speed computer "burners" would not be as good. I've never heard MP3, and have no interest in it. Cheers. Craig.

That's true Ejlif, I use a Pioneer W739 "dubbing" CDR recorder at 1X speed. It sits on vibrapods, and the signal bypasses the sample rate converter when it's 44.1. I've used Maxell, TDK, and Memorex blanks, all with excellent results. As I've noted before, sometimes I think the copies actually sound better (different, ie crisper) than the originals, but I've backed off that position and now just say they sound as good. In a blind test I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference between copy and original. Cheers. Craig.

The thread question is inherently subjective, so everyone's opinion is valid for them. Personally, I've participated on a number of threads with Ramstl, regarding making recommendations on CD-Recorders, and considering his experience (2000 hrs. of tape is a LOT-- c'mon people), he is the "expert" on this thread. And by now I've come to recognize and respect his experience and judgement on this subject. Even if we had a "digital expert", post on this thread his opinion as to differences in sound quality of CDs vs CD-Rs would just that-- opinions, just like the rest of us. Having said all that I will state again that the CD-Rs (consumer audio CD-Rs) sound excellent to me, and I have no problem mixing them with my originals. Further, in A/B tests I can't reliably tell them apart. No, I can't hear the top octave, but my hearing is excellent in the "presence region". If you people want to go on and on arguing about unprovable minutia count me in-- I'm retired:-). We're audiophiles we live for this kind of gritty obsessiveness. My opinion regarding sound differences between CDs and CD-Rs is as valid as Carl's or Ramstls or any one elses, but if I wanted someone to teach a course in CD to CD-R recording, I'd ask Ramstl.

As noted, I make my CD-Rs on a $600. Pioneer W739-- ie consumer grade. I have 4 CD players and CD-Rs and originals sound different on all of them. They include Levinson 37 Transport and 360S DAC, Sony XA7ES (now sold), Sony 9ES, and of course the pioneer recorder. CD-Rs played back on the Levinson system sound best and I can't really hear any significant difference between them and the originals. The XA7ES is very good also. Playback on the consumer grade stuff sounds worse on both originals and CD-Rs. This seems consistent to me. Interestingly, while the W739 makes excellent copies, it does not sound that great when playing back the copies. I'd guess it's optimized for copying. Craig.

I don't have a computer "burner", but it's my understanding that they can burn at high speeds, ie 10X or more. It seems sort of intuitive to me that at high copying speeds there is increased possibility of (especially) timing errors. But if that were true, I would think that it would also screw up copied programs and data files (as well as music). No??? Craig.

.......I may be guilty of thinking in analog, but copying in digital:>) Craig.

Many respect the opinions of M. Fremer of Sterophile. In the Jan. 2001 issue, Fremer compares a "consumer grade" (list $600.) JVC CD Recorder, and a more high end Marantz ($1600.-- I think). When copying CDs at 1X speed with either of these CD-Rs, he could detect "no significant difference from the originals". But when recorded at 2X he noticed some "hardening of sound". For doing analog to digital recording, the Marantz was better, ie better AD conversion. You need to read the review to get all the details of his review, but it made me feel good about my Pioneer W739 ($600. list). The Pioneer W739 is very similar in price and features to the JVC, and as I've stated above, at 1X recording, I can't tell CD-R copies from originals-- hope this isn't beating a "dead horse". Cheers. Craig