Marantz CDR1CD recorder

The sample CDR-1 tested was a prototype and, according to representatives from Marantz, may well be improved upon. Nevertheless, the manufacturer felt confident enough to lend this unit. That confidence proved to be justified, even though error messages occasionally appeared on the display, requiring some tests to be repeated. I should also mention that TDK supplied a half dozen or so blank discs.

Good thing, too, since in familiarizing myself with this recorder I ruined at least two discs by not properly executing the "Fix-Up" command when I should have. That said, I went about evaluating the CDR-1 by using a combination of tests I might have used with a DAT recorder and with a conventional CD player.

A blank CD-R disc is divided into several areas. Next to the center hole is an area for mechanical clamping of the disc. An area near the center of the disc is subdivided into two parts: The Program Memory Area (PMA), where track numbers are recorded with respective start and stop points, and the Program Calibration Area (PCA), which is used to calibrate the laser energy needed for recording on the disc via a trial recording. For a partially recorded CD-R disc, track numbers with associated absolute start and stop times are stored in the PMA. Once a disc is fully recorded (up to 18, 63, or 74 minutes, depending on the configuration of the blank), a definitive table of contents (TOC) can be "written" into the lead-in area of the disc, after which further recording is impossible, even if the available time has not been used up. It is possible to "mark" parts of a program area, such as faulty recordings, as invalid so that these portions will be skipped over when the disc is played.

The substrate of the recordable CD-R disc is the same transparent plastic used in CDs. A spiral track is preformed into this substrate to hold the recorded data; the pitch of the spiral determines whether the disc will hold 63 or 74 minutes' worth of signal. (The 18-minute length is for 3-inch CD R discs.) A blue-tinged translucent recording layer is coated on the substrate, but since it is then coated with a gold reflective layer, the recordable surface winds up looking green. A protective layer of plastic material is applied on top of the gold layer. To store the digital information on a CD-R disc, pits are burned into the recording layer. The energy of the laser beam causes localized heating of the substrate material and the recording layer to approximately 482° F (250° C). The material of the recording layer melts and thereby reduces its volume. Constant switching between "writing" and "reading" power results in the creation of a bit pattern corresponding to that of a conventional CD.

The input/record electronics (including ND conversion, etc.), as well as the playback electronics (including D/A conversion not unlike that in conventional CD players), are, by now, familiar to those who have been following CD and DAT developments. The CD-R mechanism, however, is new. It houses a higher powered laser than is found in standard CD players, and it must be capable of very precise tracking, particularly during recording. This requires not only a high-precision transport but also electronics that can decode data from the preformed track and control the disc's speed of rotation.

Control Layout

The "Power" jack and its associated "Level" control are at the left end of the front panel. A large display occupies most of the panel's upper section. Track numbers, the usual selectable time displays, programming information, type of repeat play, and shuffle-play selection are all shown here, when appropriate. In addition, the display shows such information as recording level, type of disc inserted, disc status, and the presence of errors (for example, programming nonexistent tracks or attempting to re cord on a conventional CD). The disc tray is beneath the left portion of the display, while to its right are an "Open/Close" button, "Prey" and "Next" buttons for track selection, and the "Play" button. A long row of controls takes care of selecting the type of "Time" display, "Shuffle" play, "Repeat" modes, "Scan" (playback of the beginning of each track), normal and "Fast" search, "Stop," "Pause," "Mute," and record. To begin recording, it is necessary to press the record button and then "Play," conveniently placed just above. Record level and "Balance" controls are at the extreme right.

A hinged flap along the panel's lower edge conceals a row of smaller buttons. These are secondary controls for programming, direct track selection, setting and unsetting track-skip mode, and selecting analog or digital input, manual or automatic track numbering, and synchronized recording. Also here is a "Fix-Up" button, shielded by raised rims at each side to prevent accidental pressing, that applies the final table of contents to the disc. Before the TOC is fixed, the disc can be played only on a CD recorder, but more tracks can still be recorded. Once the TOC is in place, the disc cannot be recorded further, but it can be used on conventional CD players. Fixing the TOC takes about 3 minutes and starts automatically once the "Fix-Up" and record buttons are pressed. The display counts down the time as this takes place, so you know how much longer you must wait and when the TOC has been completely written. The rear panel of the CDR-1 is equipped with the power cord input, analog input and output jacks (both unbalanced and balanced XLR types), coaxial and optical digital input and output jacks, a pair of quarter-inch microphone input jacks, an input selector switch (balanced, unbalanced, or microphone), and a pair of "RC 5 Remote" jacks. These last are to connect the recorder to other Marantz or Philips components using this control-link system, for multi-component operation by a single remote or for synchronized re cording from a CD player with an RC 5 jack.

Use and Listening Tests

Marantz is very specific in calling this component a professional CD recorder. Its price, of course, suggests that it is intended for professional use, and it is available only in limited quantities. Furthermore, the CDR-1 does not contain the Serial Copy Management System (SCMS), which means that small studios or other professionals who need to make a small number of copies of digital program sources can do so without being restricted to single-generation copies. Furthermore, these studios will be able to do dubbing, overdubbing, and the like, much as they have been doing with analog tape recording equipment and professional DAT recorders. Studios also will be able to give sample CD-R discs to their recording artists prior to pressing conventional CDs. In short, the need for such a recorder in professional applications is obvious. Since the Marantz CDR-1 costs just over one-third as much as the least expensive CD recorder I'd heard of previously, it is more afford able for the budget-minded professional.

I conducted a few more experiments with this recorder, transcribing some favorite tracks from a few of my most treasured CDs onto a single CD-R disc. In subsequent NB tests (playing the original CD and switching back and forth between it and the copy), neither I nor any visitors to my lab could tell the difference. Of course, these copies were made using the digital-to-digital mode; barring any extensive data dropouts, I would not have expected the results to be otherwise.

The one thing I discovered early on in using this component is that you'd better be fully acquainted with operating procedures before you begin recording. Unlike magnetic media, CD-R discs do not forgive mistakes. If you make an error on a CD-R disc, you have only two choices: Apply the "Skip" code to that track, or discard the disc and start over again-and blank discs presently cost about $80 each. With that caution stated, I can only commend Marantz for managing to develop a CD recorder that's no bigger than some of the better CD players and that sells for far less than I would have expected.