[randytsuch]

If this subject has not been discussed enough already, found this article at 6moons
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/cdr/cdr.html

The guy tried different CDR's.  You can read the review, and see what he found.

Randy

[ehider]

I'm NOT sold on the idea that black CD-R's burn better (i.e sound better) than Mitsui for instance. Every time I see a comparision of black to "standard" silver or gold CD-R they are always comparing the black to crappy - poorly made Maxell, TDK type discs and then declaring "Walaa! The Black discs are the best sounding discs! " I've done true double blind listening of Mitsui silver "for audio only" CD-R's against 9 other gold and silver discs from other manufacturers and the Mitsuis are MUCH better sounding! (yet they are NOT black).

I STRONGLY suspect that the black discs are just manufactured better (like the Mitsui silver and gold offerings). Does anyone know of a black CD-R made for "audio only" burners? I would love to perform a true double blind test of a black disc against the Mitsui silvers that I have been using.

[cyounkman]

I have never seen any 'for audio' Black CD-Rs. I am using Maxell black CD-Rs with great results, although those results are also due in large part to EAC.

Any idea where I can find Mitsui discs? I haven't found any in Toronto.

Anyone know about the Maxell Pro 'Orange Book II'-compatible cd-r's?

[randytsuch]

Eric,
I looked for black audio CDR's, was never able to find one, I wanted to compare them to Mitsui's too.

Cy,
I don't think you'll find Mitsui's at a store, this place
http://www.cdrplanet.com/cdrplanet/cd-r-media--mitsui-cdr-media--74-minute--silver-digital-audio-branded-in-jewel-case.html

has the best Mitsui prices I found.

Randy

[cyounkman]

I'm just looking at the mitsui web site.

Are you using their audio cd-r's or their Gold - Standard   /  Gold - Archve discs?

[randytsuch]

I'm just looking at the mitsui web site.

Are you using their audio cd-r's or their Gold - Standard   /  Gold - Archve discs?

Hi, I use their digital audio CD's, because I have a Pioneer audio CD recorder, and I have to use digital audio CD's for it.

If I could use any Mitsui, the golds are supposed to be good.

Randy

[Rob Babcock]

I wish Mitsui made a black disc- that'd be fun to compare to the rest.  The MAM website does say the inkjet printable gold 80 Min/700 MB discs are now available in Gold or White.  I haven't seen any online yet, but it should just be a matter of time.

BTW, I've found Sony discs to be very well made, too.  They're relatively cheap and many sites rate them just a tick behind the Mitsui.

[Rob Babcock]

One comment on the article; he may in fact have compared the black ones to "crappy - poorly made Maxell, TDK type discs", but he used arguably the crappiest brand of black disc available, namely Memorex.  Most folks around here wouldn't use Memorex if they could choose a 10 cent store brand instead.

That said, I don't have an opinion on black discs.  I will admit I'm curious to compare, if I could get some black ones made by a better mfgr.  My suspicion is that psychology is more relevant than engineering on this one.  But I'm trying to keep an open mind till I get to make a thorough comparison myself.

I will confess that I think the black discs look cooler than anything except maybe the gold ones.

[brad b]

Actually Rob, I think you will find several posts where a number of people have had really good luck with the black Memorex disks, unlike the standard Memorex disks, which do not seem to record the material very well.  They have certainly performed fine for me.
Brad

[Rob Babcock]

I've used hundreds of Memorex discs; my problem with them isn't so much performance as durability.  They seem very poorly made- they scratch much more easily than any other brand I've used and I've seen the discs physically peel apart like the sole of an old shoe!   And this with normal use.

Certainly the black ones could be better made than the others.  I hope so.  They are one brand you can always find anywhere and they're cheap.  I'd sure be willing to use them if they last.

BTW, I used regular Memorex for years, and in that time I've only had a handful actually fail completely.  Several more developed skips; I always thought that CD-Rs in general weren't that robust but my experiences since then with other brands leads me to suspect the Memorex.  I should also note that the probs were all with discs manufactured a few years back- they could be much better now.

[cyounkman]

I'm using black Memorex currently and they've behaved fine so far. I haven't had any long enough to comment on durability. They do sound very good (in combination with a perfect EAC capture), but I haven't compared to much else.

[John Casler]

I STRONGLY suspect that the black discs are just manufactured better (like the Mitsui silver and gold offerings). Does anyone know of a black CD-R made for "audio only" burners? I would love to perform a true double blind test of a black disc against the Mitsui silvers that I have been using....

Oh Happy day

I just found these Memorex "BLACK" All Purpose???? CD-Rs.

http://www.memorex.com/photo_archive/pdf/upload/media/Black_AlluseCDR_SS.pdf

If you visit the URL above (pdf file) you can see that it says they can be used in both computers "and" CD recorders.

I hope this is right because i just ordered 50 of them.

Let the comparisons begin.

[jcoat007]

Yep, those are fine.  You can also find them at Comp USA.

[John Casler]

I might mention to make it perfectly clear (my tricky dicky impersonation) that the package "MUST SAY":

*****ALL PURPOSE****

I have some other Memorex Black CD-Rs and they are "data" (computer) only.  These will not work on a CD Audio Recorder

So if you want to get the ones that can be used on a CD Audio Recorder they must say "All Purpose".