In my previous post, I said:

"Unable to number tracks (automatically or manually) when burning from a source where tracks are mixed together (like a disco mix) when using _analog_ input (does not concern optical or coaxial though)."

I was wrong: in order to enter a track number manually when recording from a source whose tracks are mixed together, all you have to do is press RECORD while recording, and the track number will change. I apologize for the mistake.

ease of use - great sound - allows for adjustable inputs for both analog and digital

erasing tracks - if you have 10 tracks recorded - you can't erase say tracks 3 & 4 without erasing track3 to the end

i'm using the pdr609 to run dubs from a yamaha md8 multi-track recorder - a piece of cake to use - fine adjustable recording level for both analog and digital - 2 digital outs. very happy with the sound and no problems at all !!!
(more than i can say for the phillips line) - so easy to use - and the recording levels are very sensitive so as to allow for more precise recordings

Great sound. Easy to operate.

None

I am extremely happy with this product and would strongly recommend it. I have copied over 400 CD's and have had only 2 failed recording sessions. In both cases the unit just stopped recording in the middle of the CD for some unknown reason. But a batting average of 400 for 402 is nothing to complain about.

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Ease of use (it doesn't come any simpler!) CD text capability (ideal when you burn MP3's).Appearance. 24-bit DA/AD converter. Auto track numbering using digital OR analog input!

Unable to number tracks (automatically or manually) when burning from a source where tracks are mixed together (like a disco mix) when using _analog_ input (does not concern optical or coaxial though). In this case, you can however have the PDR-609 number tracks automatically every 1, 3, or 5 minutes so at least you won't end up with a 74-minute track :-)

At first I was kind of scared because I had read some bad reviews about the PDR-609's predecessor (PDR-509); apparently, some people had had problems regarding static (distortion?). Upon reading the manual however, I figured they must had set the recording level too high (it should never exceed 0 db) resulting in a distorted sound. Personally, I've had absolutely no probelm with the recorder. I've already burned 6 CDs (Maxell CD-RW) and all recordings are incredible! (I've recorded from CDs and MP3s.) Note that my recorder is hooked up to my CD player via the analog jacks as it (the CD player) doesn't have an optical or coaxial output jack, so I can't say anything about digital-digital recording. The recording process is easier than when recording on a conventional tape deck: when the source material has stopped playing, the recorder pauses. If you want to add tracks to your CD, simply put the CD-R/W into the recorder, press RECORD and your PDR will find the exact place where the new track will be recorded. That's all! Note that the PDR-609 can read unfinalized CDs, so if you don't intend to listen to them on a regular player, you won't have to finalize them. Also, erasing a track on a CD-RW only takes a few seconds!

When recording from analog, the PDR-609 (*) will change the track number automatically (although it is possible to do it manually) if the source has a silence of at least 2 seconds. A cool feature: if the source is noisy (like a bad vinyl), you can change the silence level as to make it more or less sensitive. For instance, you can have the recorder change the track number even if the parasites on the vinyl are loud by merely setting the silence level to a less sensitive level (in other words, even if there are pops and scratches between the songs, the PDR-609 will still be able to change the track number).

Important note: if the source from which you're copying is connected to your player via the RCA jacks (analog), the source is considered analog, EVEN IF you're recording from a CD or MD player, which means that the SCMS thing does not apply to you, and so you'll be able to make a copy of a copy. You'll still have to use audio CDs though ($$$).

(*) Not available on the previous model (PDR-509).

All and all, I'm very satisfied and I'm recommending the PDR-609 without hesitation.

5 out of 5!

PS: Please excuse my English as it is not my native tongue.

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Makes recordings that sound the same to me as their source; Copying CDs is automatic. Decent remote.

None for anwhere near this price

I bought the Pioneer PDR-609 primarily for making digital copies of my LPs and analog cassettes. Due to its ease of use, I also now use it to make copies of CDs.
This machine is a very exciting and major step up from analog cassette recorders. It makes recordings that sound the same to me as their source - nothing added or taken away. And audio CDRs are much cheaper than good cassette tapes. I get excellent results with Mitsui and TDK CDRs.
The owners manual minimizes the learning curves and is quite thorough. The remote is quite good. Playback is nice, clear, and musical, though sometimes not quite as rich-sounding as my Philips cd player (which I have connected to the PDR-609 with coaxial cable), but I got this Pioneer machine for recording, and it records better than the Philips, Sony and Marantz cd recorders that I checked out.
Now, the only reason why I would use the cd burner in my computer for audio would be for faster digital transfers or for digital signal processing that my computer and its software provides.

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Computer-based CD burners.

Manual track indication, ease of use.

None

Without repeating too much of what everyone else has said, this is a great machine. I am archiving old home-made cassettes and reel-to-reel tapes from the late 1960s-early 70s, which are deteriorating, and the manual track indicator is perfect for this use. Only one "problem" which I discussed with some of the previous reviewers: the machine is not compatible with some makes of 80-minute CD-R blanks, specifically the Memorex which were "free with your purchase, Sir" at Best Buy. After finalizing, the machine could not quit the function and come to a stop. I switched to TDK 72-minute "Certified Plus" blanks and the "problem" is gone. (Word to the wise: if it is worth archiving, use only the best blanks. Check other Internet sites for accelerated aging tests on blanks.) Buy this machine while it is still available.

easy to use

not really

The quality of recording is definitely better than the computer, but I wouldn't say it's 100% accurate. Using the co-axial input (as suggested by What Hi Fi), the recordings seemingly become "warmer" than the original, and are slightly shy in bass definition. In my car (some 180-watt Pioneer system that came with it) the recordings sound great, or even better than the original, since the tweeters in my car seem too bright.

In my home system (Arcam CD23 player), however, the recordings appear less dynamic overall (all frequency range, it seems), and carry an "edgy" quality to it...don't know what to say other than probably something wrong with my ears given the number of perfect scores from other reviewers in this column. For some reason my ears simply get fatigued after an hour of listening to recorded materials at home, in spite of the tube amps (CJ PV14/MV60). Compared to the original CDs, there's a lack of "fuziness" in the recorded materials, making the sound less smooth and more edgy. Not sure how else to describe it.

Overall this is an excellent machine for its price and makes great recordings for the car to save you from taking your eyes off the road while skipping tracks on the CD changer. Perhaps the Marantz "professional" type recorder makes more faithful recordings, but then why not save the money to buy more CDs?!

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Grab this machine while it's still around. Best Buy is closing them out at $200 now. Ok, so playback is only fair. You didn't buy this machine to be your only CD playback source, as otherwise, you would have bought a dual well machine. How can you go wrong with a fine $200 burner??

Great CD recorder. Ability to make tracks at set intervals (v. useful for recording from radio). Good recorder from analogue

Can't seem to control it via my SR5200 remote. Its one-button copy doesn't seem to work v. often.

Great machine. I am using it mostly for voice (recording Lord of the Rings from the radio at the moment). It makes good copies and playback is good. I especially appreciate the ability to have set time intervals for new tracks (it means that I am able to stop and start a radio recording and not spend ages fast forwarding to where I got up to).

I was nearly going to get the Marantz DR6000 as it would fit in more seamlessly with my Marantz SR5200 receiver and 4100 DVD player but I am pretty much decided to stay with the Pioneer due to its tracking ability - even though I have to have another remote and manually turn it on and off - How lazy can I get!).

It's easy to use. You think it's scary but you can do everything within hours.

There seems to be a mix up in the manual ove the Rec and Rec mute button between the machine and the remote. Once bitten though...

Easy machine to use. it's as easy as an old cassette deck. But if you mess up a disc while recording that's it.

I record my old bootleg cassettes onto minidisc, edit them and then transfer them onto cdr. They don't half emphasise the hiss on some but that's them preserved.

I havent tried copying the cdr discs yet but I am assured by the other reviews here that that isn't a problem using teh analogue leads, which I am using anyway.

I will get a didgital coax cable for copying albums.

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