5-CD changer + 1-CD-R/RW recorder * plays CDs, audio CD-Rs & CD-RWs, and MP3 CDs; records to audio CD-Rs & CD-RWs * internal high-speed dubbing (4X) * Super Bit Mapping improves sound quality on recordings from analog sources * high-speed finalizing * CD Text entry for CD-Rs & CD-RWs * optical digital input/output * analog input/output * 25-track programming, repeat, and random play * remote control * headphone jack with volume control * SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) * CD playback signal-to-noise ratio 98 dB * 16-7/8"W x 4-1/4"H x 16-7/8"D * warranty: 1 year
With a five-CD/dual-deck capacity and 4x dubbing speed, the Sony RCD-W500C does much more than merely play your favorite CDs--it lets you mix and burn your own. The device records on both CD-R and CD-RW formats, and is compatible with CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 playback. To improve the recording quality, the RCD-W500C uses Super Bit Mapping technology to reduce low-level noise in the background, and High Speed Finalizing to prepare your recorded CDs for playback. You can also enter your own title and track information using the CD text entry feature.
Sony packs in such additional features as 24-step program play, two-mode repeat play (track/disc), one-touch synchro-start recording (which minimizes the awkward gap between songs on recorded discs), and a full-featured remote control. The unit also delivers a 24-bit analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter, plus a headphone jack with a separate volume control for listening in private. The company ensures that its listeners receive the best possible sound by using gold-plated audio terminals for its digital input and output (optical) and analog input and output (RCA type) outlets. The RCD-W500C carries a two-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box
RCD-W500C CD player and recorder, Remote Commander remote control, two RCA audio cables, two AA batteries, and user's manual.
1 Buy the extended warranty!
I had the unit for 2 months, worked perfectly, made about 80-90 disc-to-disc copies with no problems at all. Very satisfied with the result. I never tried dubbing from several discs to one, so can't comment on how easy or difficult that is.
But then the recording deck, Deck B, starting acting up, not finishing the recording cycle (very frustrating after going through a 15-minute recording session to then have the machine say either "Incomplete!" or just freeze up), couldn't read some blank discs and wouldn't even play some pre-recorded discs.
Hoped that Sony would be more reliable, although machines do malfunction and a CD recorder is more sensitive than a plain old CD player. Problem is that I had to ship the recorder to Laredo, Texas, (where it is in transit) at my own expense.
So, while the machine works fine when it works, as you can see from other reviews, it is a touchy, sensitive machine prone to breakdown.
Depending on Sony's resolution of this problem, I may come back to update this review.
2 Great results, but it takes some work
My first CD recorder, so I can't compare to other recorders. Bottom line: when it's all said and done, you get great music, but it takes more than a push of a button or two.
It's great when you're copying a whole CD, but when you're making a mixed CD (sourcing from different CD's) it takes some getting used to.
You can adjust the recording level for each new track, but it's manual and just one more step.
Like others have said, most of what you need to do is in the owner's manual, but it's not laid out very well and you'll find yourself reading and re-reading it again and again.
Be prepared to go through a few CD-R's as you learn the tricks of single-song recording. Not like making a tape where you can erase and re-record if you mess up or want to change things.
Also, once you make a new CD with a CD-R, you sometimes can't then take the new CD and record individual songs onto a new, 2nd CD-R. You get a "cannot copy" error message. Sometimes it tries to copy the song and you get a new track with a few seconds of "nothing, " messing things up.
No problems with finalizing.
Once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun and makes excellent recordings.
Ps - Anybody try using CD-RW's on this machine? The owner's manual discourages using them, claiming some CD players can't read them. But it would be great if you can use them to get the songs just the way you want them and then copy that onto a CD-R.
3 Excellent recorder, but I'm going to keep my old player
Thanks to everyone for their reviews. Since I found them very helpful I will make a contribution as well.
As a CD player, I consider the unit mediocre, mainly because the CD changer is very slow. I much prefer my old 5-CD turntable changer, which I was intending to get rid of, but have now decided to keep.
As a CD recorder, however, this unit is worth having. As somebody else mentioned, the recorded CD's do sound better than the original LP's. As many people mentioned, it's impossible to find a dB setting for the auto track detection feature that will work for all songs on all albums, or sometimes, even for all songs on the same album. My solution is to turn the feature off and do it manually. This requires listening while you're recording (pretty enjoyable, actually) and manually hitting the record button to mark a new track. This can be done with the remote control, so you can be on the other side of the room doing something else when you mark it. The other major issue, not being able to finalize recordings over 74 minutes, has not been a problem for me. I've made six CD's, recording two LP's per CD, and on five of the six CD's the total recording time was less than 74 minutes. On the sixth CD, the unit automatically stopped recording after 79 minutes and 57 seconds and finialized without a hitch. Maybe I'll eventually run into a problem with this, but if it works one time I don't see why it should do anything different the next. By the way, I was using 80-minute TDK music CD-R's.
4 MAGNIFICENT SONY CD RECORDER
This is my second cd recorder and this sony unit is fantastic. One thing for sure is you must read the instruction book before using it. The unit has many features such as simul-sync in normal or high speed which allows you to place a cd in the left carrier and record it to a cd in the right record bay. It has features that allow you to record different sequences of songs between one and 5 cd's. However you may have a longer silence between songs if you transfer to another cd. It also allows you to place tracks into a cd without creating a moment of between track silence. This is a great feature, you can also adjust the sensitivity of silence duration if you want the recorder to self track a cd (ie recording an lp and walking away from the unit). My favorite is the 20 bit map I use it when recording from an old reel 2 reel tape, it makes the sound just increadible!With the push of a button. You should only use "music cd-r or rw" and try not to record for greater than 76 min, the format may jam if you go to the full 80. Buy this and forget about the rest its more than enough!
5 Easy to use, sounds nice, records easily
I owned a Philips CD burner for five years before it petered out, dying a little at a time for about a year. When it would no longer reliably record I took it back to Sears, where I had an unexpired warranty for shop service. It couldn't be repaired and was no longer available (Philips quit making them a couple years ago) so I bought one of these, the only other CD player-recorder I could locate in the marketplace.
There are many similarities between this player and the Philips, especially the way it burns CDs. I made two new ones the first evening I had the thing out of the box. It tooks about 15 minutes with the instructions to figure out how to make one new CD from tracks on each of two prerecorded originals. Sony could have made that process a little easier but it wasn't hard to figure out. You have to toggle between two pages in the manual until you learn the process.
When you combine tracks from one of more CDs on the new one you're burning (there are five players available and, therefore, you can record from five CD sources at once) it will only record at real time. For most CDs that's 80 minutes or less. I don't know if that matters to you. When you record CD to CD it will do it in faster time. Based on those I've burned so far, it appears to transfer the signal in about one-third of recorded time. There is a process to perform automatic finalization I haven't learned yet. Manual finalization takes a minute or so.
One big improvement I've noticed is the stuff I recorded at the end of my Philips player's life -- some of which had noticeable noise on the surface when I played them in the car and often would not play in lesser machines -- sound great when I play them on this one. It make take 10 seconds for the Sony to read the first track but once it gets started it sounds every bit as good as the original.
I made CDs from all my cassettes with my Philips player so there's nothing left to record with the Sony. I've burned several CDs on this machine sourced from old LPs that were never released on CD. It's not difficult to do this, although it requires rapt attention since you have to manually track your CD.
It appears the digital signal increases the music signal more than the surface noise, which is sometimes less evident than others. I know you can acquire noise reduction technology and people that are going to make lots of CDs from LPs should consider acquiring that. I don't have it and am not unhappy with my results.
I learned last time that the digital signal makes everything larger than on the original source. I have some noticeable tape his on CDs I made from cassettes, especially at the beginning. Still, it's better to have the digital source available since you can always remaster them at a lower level.
All things considered, I've found the Sony CD burner easy to use, has good results, and sounds great when playing conventional prerecorded CDs or those I made on my last machine. So far it's done everything I've asked of it in spades. I paid $300 for mine at a national chain electronics store that advertised the lowest price, so if you can find one here for $250 and get it shipped cheaply, you're doing good.
The place I bought mine offered a five-year warranty for about $80. My prior experience taught me that is an essential purchase with one of these. If my experience this time is same as last, when this one conks out in a few years, Sony will no longer be making it.
6 Works great ... once you figure it out
Let me echo the other comments here and say that this is a great CD recorder. The user's manual, though, is awful -- Sony should be ashamed for putting out a manual that's confusing, skimpy and almost worthless.
REMEMBER: Buy CD-R MUSIC discs, not regular CD-R discs (they won't work -- as the manual not-so-clearly points out.)
7 If it's what you need ...
You might want this if, as I did, you want a component that fits in your audio rack to record your vinyl records to play in the car. It may be the only available product of its type. You need to be aware of the limitations of the technology, though.
The main problem is that you are recording directly onto CDs, and this is a finicky process, especially sensitive to vibration. In my case, this even meant the vibration induced by pushing the buttons. Put it on the bottom shelf, and use the remote even if you are standing in front of it, and you'll usually get a successful recording. Sometimes I don't, though, and this is frustrating: you don't find out that it fails until you finish the track (which usually means the side of an LP, see below). Then throw the media away and start over. Inconvenient for copying LPs, disastrous for live music (karaoke, for example).
As others have noted, unless you intervene manually, you are pretty much stuck with one track per side. There is a function automatically to detect silence and start a new track, and the threshold of silence is adjustable. I can't find a level, though, that is high enough to ignore surface noise between tracks but low enough not to trigger on pauses or quiet passages in the music. Of course, you could take your new CD to your computer, edit it into separate tracks (and do other tricks on it if you want) and write another one, if this matters to you.
As noted, the media are a little expensive. This is partly because the cost incorporates royalties, but these are actually only a few cents. Mainly it's because not so many people buy them, so the market is not as fiercely competitive as for nonmusic blanks. I certainly don't mind paying royalties to creators, except for two things. First, I have to pay them even when the recording fails and the disk goes right in the trash. Second, the royalties are divided among artists in proportion to current sales, whereas I am recording stuff precisely because it is not even for sale any more, so the artists I am recording get nothing.
You can, but almost surely don't want to, use this to copy other CDs. If you want to do that at all, it's easier, cheaper and more reliable with a computer.
You should think about these alternatives. They all have drawbacks, and you may decide, as I did, that this product is the best compromise; but consider:
1. Putting a computer next to your stereo. They're a little noisy, they may not fit the decor, and your computer sound card may not give you the same fidelity. You get editing flexibility, though. More importantly, you get to record live onto hard disk, which is much less sensitive, and then from disk onto CD. This last step takes only a couple of minutes with modern drives, so there is a better chance of keeping the thing still enough, and little time wasted if it fails.
2. Putting your stereo (or a rudimentary other stereo) by your computer. All you really need is the turntable and preamp, but these are a bit expensive, and you don't get to listen in your usual environment.
3. Running a wire from your stereo to your computer. Now you have to run yourself back and forth from the "studio" to the "booth" to record.
4. A more expensive standalone machine with a hard disk in it as well as a CD burner. These are marketed as "professional" rather than "consumer" products, through different channels such as music stores, but we're all on the Web here, right?
5. If the records you are copying are available on CD, just buy them.
6. Hire a service to copy the obscure stuff that hasn't been re-issued.
7. Just play the records and enjoy them until they wear out.
As a player it's OK, but nothing special. You can get as good much cheaper, or much better as cheap.
Oh, and as to the CDs sounding "better" than the source, as some have said: well, think about it. For me, the best it can get is the same. Anything else is distortion. You may find it to be a pleasant sort of distortion, or not. (With my gear and my elderly ears, for what it's worth, it sounds near enough the same.) And, unlike your vinyl, it won't get worse over time.
8 Difficult Instructions, but once you've figured it out...
I used to own a Philips single disc CD recorder which I had to hook up externally to my stereo and make analog recordings between the 2 components. It was a nightmare; Wasted discs, additional track numbers, skipped track numbers, unable to recognize disc if I stopped mid way through the mix, inability to finalize... I was so discouraged I thought I'd never buy another stereo CD recorder again, but then i took a chance on the Sony RCDW500C and am I glad I did.
First of all, I have to admit that the instructions leave a lot to be desired. You'll find yourself flipping back and forth between pages trying to figure them out and half of it won't seem to make any sense, (downsampling, bbs, analog recordings, upsampling, optical input, manual sound levelling, set up screen options yadda, yadda, yadda) so I'd suggest you actually sit in front of the recorder and actually perform the steps as you read them. If you're looking for a recorder that you can hook a cassette player or turntable up to and record old formats, this unit will do that, but you'll find there are a lot of settings that can be changed that will make the recorder work differently, so you'll have to play with those to determine which is best for your own needs, but if you're looking for a simple way to record full CD's or single tracks to a CDR you can't get much better than this little baby.
First of all, all CD to CD recording is done internally and digitally from deck A to deck B resulting in excellent data transfer between the discs. I made my first mixed CDR and then recorded it to another CDR with the touch of only 2 buttons and the 2nd CDR duplicated flawlessly. I also recorded a complete CD to a CDR using the "make disc" high speed button and was finished in less than 10 minutes. (The make disc function copies songs, full track CD text and finalizes the CDR for you all in one step.)
I have yet to make a disc that would not finalize, but I have stuck vehemently to the suggestion of another reviewer here to stop recording at least 5-6 minutes before the end of the CDR to leave space for the finalizing data track. If you just start off with the assumption that an 80 minute CDR should actually only record about 72-74 minutes of music, you'll be golden. Trying to squeeze that last song in up to the last few seconds of recording time displayed on the recorder may cause finalization problems.
One problem I did encounter in the directions is that they state when recording a CD track to the CDR, you first press the record button on deck B (puts deck B in "standby" for recording)then press the play button on track A. I found that when doing this, if there was more than a few seconds of silence between the time you press play on deck A and the time the song actually starts, deck B will skip to the next track number when the song starts. (ie. press record on deck B, press play on deck A, if more than 3 seconds pass while deck A is loading, when song starts deck B automatically detects the signal and then jumps to track 2, leaving track 1 as a few seconds of silence on your new CDR)
Supposedly this "setting" can be turned off in the settings menu, but after turning it to "off", it still happened, so to remedy the problem, I found it is better to switch the order in the instructions. In record mode, press Play on deck A first, wait a second or two while the player locates the proper track (you can hear the cd spinning inside faintly while the laser locates the track) then once the "spinning noise" from deck A stops, right before the track begins playing, manually start deck B recording. (It's pretty simple to do this and after a few practices, it will become second nature.)
Overall, I am very pleased with this recorder. If you have the time to sit down and get to know how it works and decide which settings you want to set it up with at the start, you shouldn't have any problems and you'll find out it can be a lot of fun.
9 Sony's CD-R Workhorse(When it Works) !
When it works it's an awesome piece of Sony engineered home audio recording equipment...When it doesn't it's scrap pile. I can sympathize why some reviewers might have chucked theirs in the dumpster...
The first one I bought had some serious locking up issues;It just malfunctioned on the same day I purchased it.It even trapped one of my cd's inside;to retrieve the cd back was no small feat without almost busting a knuckle.As I found out after removing the cover that space for the elevator/built in cartridge exchange mechanism is pretty tight. If you ever get a cd stuck in there, good luck!I immediately exchanged it for one that worked properly at my local electronics dealer.
This one has worked flawlesly for me for the past two years without failure ! I have not encountered any finalizing issues. Sony has crammed the RCDW500C with loads of features and then some. The only minor complaints I have is that you have to really read the manual from top to bottom,left to right, then try to memorize what some of it's hidden functions are to get the most from this unit. The flourescent digital readout display is not user friendly. Also, the internal cd exchanging mechanism is very noisy and clunky for being a Sony.Previously, I owned a Philips carousel model that was extremely quiet and smooth in it's mechanical operations and playback/recording functions.The downside of the Philips model was that it lacked the 4 times recording speed and the six cd holding capacity that I'm thrilled about with the Sony! Yet, it's(Philips) flourescent display readout was extremely user friendly and easy to read.It literally would tell you in text exactly what you needed to know and what function it was performing or instruct you what you needed to do to achieve optimum recording results.It would guide you practically step by step in words on the display and not numbers or codes. The Sony doesn't---it's all just digital display numbers and codes(save that Sony instruction manual and guard it with your life!!). However, it gets the job done and then some with flying colors...I use mine mainly for vinyl to cd-r transfers and the results are awesome! Sonically, the music sounds much more crisp, clear and sharp than the original analog source.I don't even use the SuperBit Mapping feature to enhance the sound;doesn't need it.Also, the fact it can hold 6 cds for playback is incredible and versatile. Some of the functions, whether necessary or mere bells and whistles, are a pleasure to have and use.
If the readout display was easier to read,certain "hidden" button/rotary knob functions better laid out on the unit's fascia and the exchange mechanism quieter, this would definitely qualify as Sony's flagship CD-R machine and get a 5 star vote from me...
10 I've been converted
I'm revisiting to update my earlier 1-star review. Since posting a few months ago, I, too, figured out that the finalization problem only occurs when you try to record over 74 minutes of music onto a disc. Since that realization, I've been able to successfully finalize every disc I've recorded.
I'm still only going to give the unit 3 stars (and I'm leaving the earlier 1-star review) because a) the unit should be able to record up to the full capacity of the disc, and b) given that it can't, the instruction manual should clearly point that out. You shouldn't have to fumble around wasting time (and wasting discs) until you stumble upon the fact that you have to keep the recording time below 74 minutes. A very bad documentation flaw. Luckily I figured it out before I returned the unit in disgust.
Beyond the finalization issues, the only other problem I have is the unit's multi-disc playback capabilities. When I'm playing multi-discs randomly (this is how I listen to the unit 90% of the time), it's VERY annoying that the unit has to re-read each disc every time it reselects it. Causes loooonnngg silences between songs. No, not the worst problem in the world but annoying nonetheless.
Overall, a great unit for recording, an okay unit for multi-disc playback. Three stars.
11 Sony burner, almost excellent
Folks, I have had mine for a few weeks, and after many calls to Sony I believe I sorta understand the mystery about the love hate relationship of this product. It appears that if one tries to burn over about 74 min of material (and this varies due to disc to disc variations) on a 80 min disc the machine freezes up after the recording process and will it not fianalize. Sony says that this normal for this machine. I know one needs to leave room for the TOC, but this is more than anyone elses home burner specifies. I like the changer and the ability to program and burn from multiple discs all at once, very nice! Keep your recording time down to around 72 minutes on an 80 min disc and it always works.
12 First day-everything works fine
I was attracted to try this unit, but was also concerned, given some of the above reviews. Today I bought it, read the manual, tested almost every function, and it all worked great. Finalizing and unfinalizing, copying, recording direct from disc AND from my analog turntable was fine. There was even a feature that enhanced the analog recording, making it sound better than the original. This is my first cd recorder, and I'm no techie, but managed fine with a couple of thorough reads through the manual. Very nice to have 5 bays, for easy compiling, although that does make for more moving parts to eventually break. I'll update at a later date if I run into problems, but I am PEACHY pleased right now.
13 No Problems With This
I'm surprised by the other reviews. I bought the Sony RCD-W500C about 2 months ago and have had absolutely no problems finalizing any discs that I've made.
The only complaint I had at the start was that the owners manual doesn't really explain how to "defeat" certain features so that you can customize how you want to record your CDs. And the manual should be better laid out so that you're not leafing back through earlier sections to find how two different functions relate to each other. Once I got through that I found the player/recorder very easy to use.
14 Piece of crap
I have to agree with the other two posters that this CD recorder is a piece of crap. So disappointing. It won't finalize any discs. Spent the entire evening trying to get it to work, with no success. What a complete waste of time and money. I have lots of other Sony audio equipment, and am generally satisfied with Sony products, but this CD recorder is joke. Please save your money and your time and buy another manufacturer's model.
15 Dont buy this
This unit is incapable of finalizing CDs. Piece of junk. Should be taken off the market immediately. Shame on you Sony.
16 Piece of junk
This unit never worked. It would record a cd but not finalize. Called customer support and was told to take it to their nearest service center. I called this location and was told they couldn't help me I need to send it back to in to Sony (at my expense).
They received the unit on Jan. 9, 2004. On Jan. 26, I called to check the status of the repair and was told the needed part was backordered with a "scheduled" delivery date of Feb.5. I asked for a refund or replacement and was told they would call be back within 24 hours with an answer. They never called.
I called back today Jan. 30 and was told they will not replace it or refund my money. When I tried to ask if they beleived this to be good customer service, I was interrupted and told "we have sold a lot of these units and you just have to be patient and wait in line".
Although I was disappointed originally when the unit didnt work I realize sometimes these things happen. What I didn't expect was to be so rudely treated by their customer service people.
I own a Sony stereo, TV, VCR, and a boombox. You can be sure I will never own anything else made by Sony.
