HHB comm CDR800 User Manual
PD2028B Pulsef low D/A conver ter
chips, which are actually stereo devices,
with left and right audio outputs. To im-
prove low-level linearity, an entire chip is
devoted to each channel, configured in a
differential mode. The balanced outputs
from the D/A chips are fed to the
chips, which are actually stereo devices,
with left and right audio outputs. To im-
prove low-level linearity, an entire chip is
devoted to each channel, configured in a
differential mode. The balanced outputs
from the D/A chips are fed to the
±
inputs
of a 5532 op amp. The unbalanced out-
put from the op amp is fed to a second
5532, which functions as an output
buffer. The filter/DAC combination
should provide resolution comparable to
conventional 20-bit converters.
put from the op amp is fed to a second
5532, which functions as an output
buffer. The filter/DAC combination
should provide resolution comparable to
conventional 20-bit converters.
Deemphasis is accomplished in the
analog domain, using a shunt filter locat-
ed between the first and second 5532.
The deemphasis network is activated
with a single bipolar transistor. The
CDR–800 does not apply emphasis to CD
recordings. Only a handful of commer-
cial CDs, mainly from Denon, are record-
ed with high-frequency emphasis, and
modern high-resolution converters make
it unnecessary. Overall, the construction
of the CDR–800 is extremely impressive.
This unit should stand up to demanding,
day-in, day-out professional use.
ed between the first and second 5532.
The deemphasis network is activated
with a single bipolar transistor. The
CDR–800 does not apply emphasis to CD
recordings. Only a handful of commer-
cial CDs, mainly from Denon, are record-
ed with high-frequency emphasis, and
modern high-resolution converters make
it unnecessary. Overall, the construction
of the CDR–800 is extremely impressive.
This unit should stand up to demanding,
day-in, day-out professional use.
Performance
In order to evaluate the accuracy of
CD–R recordings, I made a demonstra-
tion disc cloned from a number of tracks
on commercial CDs that I normally use
for equipment evaluation. I made the
test disc by connecting my CD trans-
port, a modified Denon DCD–1015, to
the S/PDIF input on the CDR–800. My
DCD–1015 has a Canare 75
CD–R recordings, I made a demonstra-
tion disc cloned from a number of tracks
on commercial CDs that I normally use
for equipment evaluation. I made the
test disc by connecting my CD trans-
port, a modified Denon DCD–1015, to
the S/PDIF input on the CDR–800. My
DCD–1015 has a Canare 75
Ω
BNC out-
put connector—the two units were con-
nected with a DH Labs D–75 S/PDIF in-
terconnect fitted with a Canare 75
nected with a DH Labs D–75 S/PDIF in-
terconnect fitted with a Canare 75
Ω
BNC connector on one end, and a
Canare 75
Canare 75
Ω
RCA connector on the
other.
Every self-respecting, golden-eared au-
diophile will desire to know exactly
how the CDR–800’s copies compared to
the original CDs. Unfortunately, the an-
swer is not at all straightforward. I can’t
honestly state that the copies were indis-
tinguishable from the originals. Howev-
er, any differences I heard are no greater
than those caused by substituting one
high-quality digital interconnect for an-
other. The differences were normally far
less than those I associate with changing
CD transports.
how the CDR–800’s copies compared to
the original CDs. Unfortunately, the an-
swer is not at all straightforward. I can’t
honestly state that the copies were indis-
tinguishable from the originals. Howev-
er, any differences I heard are no greater
than those caused by substituting one
high-quality digital interconnect for an-
other. The differences were normally far
less than those I associate with changing
CD transports.
In my opinion, digital copies made on
the CDR–800 are faithful reproductions
of the original, and any observed differ-
ences may well be attributed to external
fac tors. The per for mance of the
CDR–800 will depend primarily on the
quality of your source and the intercon-
of the original, and any observed differ-
ences may well be attributed to external
fac tors. The per for mance of the
CDR–800 will depend primarily on the
quality of your source and the intercon-
nect between your source and the HHB
recorder.
recorder.
The dated op amps mentioned previ-
ously undoubtedly limit the perfor-
mance of the CDR–800 when used with
its analog inputs and outputs. However,
the excellent performance of the A/D
and D/A converters used in this recorder
make up, in part, for the performance
of the op amps. I have no doubt that re-
placement of the op amps with the best
dual devices currently available would
significantly improve the analog perfor-
mance of the CDR–800, allowing the ex-
cellent digital circuitry to perform to its
potential.
mance of the CDR–800 when used with
its analog inputs and outputs. However,
the excellent performance of the A/D
and D/A converters used in this recorder
make up, in part, for the performance
of the op amps. I have no doubt that re-
placement of the op amps with the best
dual devices currently available would
significantly improve the analog perfor-
mance of the CDR–800, allowing the ex-
cellent digital circuitry to perform to its
potential.
Conclusions
The HHB CDR–800 is a remarkable prod-
uct, and a real breakthrough in affordable
professional CD recorders. Used with ex-
ternal digital sources, via its digital input,
the CDR–800 will make compact discs
that are virtual sonic clones of the origi-
nal digital source. Recently, HHB intro-
duced the CDR–850 rewritable Compact
Disc Recorder (CD–RW), which is priced
about $200 less than the CDR–800. Read-
ers may wonder whether it renders the
800 obsolete. Not at all! The new
CDR–850, also based on a consumer Pio-
neer product (the PD–R555RW), does
not have the Stable Platter mechanism.
For the ultimate in CD–R mechanical sta-
bility, the CDR–800 will continue to be
the recorder of choice.
uct, and a real breakthrough in affordable
professional CD recorders. Used with ex-
ternal digital sources, via its digital input,
the CDR–800 will make compact discs
that are virtual sonic clones of the origi-
nal digital source. Recently, HHB intro-
duced the CDR–850 rewritable Compact
Disc Recorder (CD–RW), which is priced
about $200 less than the CDR–800. Read-
ers may wonder whether it renders the
800 obsolete. Not at all! The new
CDR–850, also based on a consumer Pio-
neer product (the PD–R555RW), does
not have the Stable Platter mechanism.
For the ultimate in CD–R mechanical sta-
bility, the CDR–800 will continue to be
the recorder of choice.
Home users in need of a CD recorder
should not hesitate to purchase this pro
product. Because of the Stable Platter
mechanism, the CDR–800 will probably
outperform your existing CD transport,
so you may be able to dispense with your
existing playback machine.
product. Because of the Stable Platter
mechanism, the CDR–800 will probably
outperform your existing CD transport,
so you may be able to dispense with your
existing playback machine.
When the time came to purchase a
CD recorder for use in my studio at the
Crane School of Music at SUN Y Pots-
dam, where I am employed as audio en-
gineer, I chose the CDR–800. I could not
give a more enthusiastic endorsement. ■
Crane School of Music at SUN Y Pots-
dam, where I am employed as audio en-
gineer, I chose the CDR–800. I could not
give a more enthusiastic endorsement. ■
Audio Electronics 2/00
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