DVD burner for quality scans of CDs

[dodecahedron]

i'm thinking of getting another Lite-On CDRW drive whose function will mainly be a CD-ROM drive and for quality (C1/C2) scans of CDs.

but that got me thinking maybe i might as well just get another DVD burner.

so the question is: what DVD burners are good for quality scans of CDs?
are Lite-On DVD burners as good for this as Lite-On CDRW burners? if so, any particular model(s) recommended?
other brands?

any input/recommendations appreciated.

btw my BenQ DW1620 sucks for CD quality scans

[aviationwiz]

You know my anwser... PX-712A/PX-712SA or PX-716A/PX-716SA/PX-716AL.

[dodecahedron]

out of the question - way too expensive.

[dolphinius_rex]

From my experience, the only DVD burner that gives CD quality scans worth looking at is a PX-712/PX-716. The LiteON DVD burners are far too forgiving, and the BenQ's just can't do it properly. Going back to CD Burners, the earlier 48x and first couple 52x models from LiteON seemed to be ok though.

Actually, you might be able to get a cheap PX-712a soon... people will probably be getting rid of them for the PX-716 and PX-740, so you should be able to find something on ebay I'd imagine. I don't think it's worth much as a DVD Burner personally (unlike the PX-716), but it's a good CD Burner and media tester in general

[dodecahedron]

can't even spot one selling here in Israel.
no i'll pass on Plextor.

so among CD burners - any particular recommendations ?

you said 'first couple of 52x lite-on burners' - those would be the LTR-52246S and 52327S.
why do you say that?
do you know that the later models SOHR-5238S, 5239S, 5239V aren't good for CD quality scans ?

[dolphinius_rex]

you said 'first couple of 52x lite-on burners' - those would be the LTR-52246S and 52327S.
why do you say that?
do you know that the later models SOHR-5238S, 5239S, 5239V aren't good for CD quality scans ?

Well, from what I've seen and been told, they are just far too forgiving... It kinda defeats the purpose of scanning the disc, if every disc scanned looks perfect.

[MediumRare]

The LiteON DVD burners are far too forgiving,

You probably have more experience with these by now than I do, but my 1213S@1653S is not "too forgiving"- it's out in left field. It shows C2 spikes on just about all CD's I've scanned. Have a look here for what I mean.

I dread the day when my LTR-48246S needs replacing.

D_R: do the Plextor DVD-Burners show "realisitc" results when scanning CD's? c't uses a Plextor Premium for their CD tests now (but that's a CD burner).

G

[dolphinius_rex]

D_R: do the Plextor DVD-Burners show "realisitc" results when scanning CD's? c't uses a Plextor Premium for their CD tests now (but that's a CD burner).

G

I use the Plextor Premium myself.... but surprisingly the PX-712a and PX-716a have been very similar (sometimes EXACTLY THE SAME) in quality tests. It's the only reason I retired my LiteON 48125W early

[dodecahedron]

bah!
the Plextor Premium goes here for $125
the 716A for $180 cheapest i found.
no Plextor for me.

[aviationwiz]

That's what the US Postal Service is for,

[dolphinius_rex]

That's what the US Postal Service is for,

And nutty shipping enthusiasts

[dodecahedron]

OK.
been there, done that.

Plextor Preimum, $62 at newegg + $4 shipping (in the US) + 16.5% customs + say roughly $20 shipping to Israel (probably a little more) = $97.
i can get it locally for $125 and get the 2 year warranty.

Plextor 716A, $110 at newegg + $4 + $20 + tax = $150 roughly.

not such a bargain after all.