Customer Reviews

HHB CDR830 BurnIt Professional CD Recorder

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Features:
It has pretty much everything once could ask for on a recorder. The RCAs make it easy to connect to a DJ system, and the coax/SPDIF jacks are good for home theater systems, although I do wish it had XLRs to more closely match pro audio systems like sound reinforcement. Of course, that's why they make the BurnIT PLUS, but I didn't feel like spending the extra money, it isn't that hard to make things go together.

Quality:
The fit and finish are impeccable, and the purple front panel is gorgeous. Controls and switches have a good feel. It uses a little too much plastic for pro audio, and the sheet metal used in the chassis and cabinet is noticeable thinner than I am accustomed to in Mackie, Peavey, Behringer, etc. I might call it consumer grade construction, but today's consumer gear is REALLY built wimpy. Older consumer gear is closer, I would say that this machine is about at the level of DJ equipment construction-wise. I think it would be crazy to take this out on the road without rackmounting it or using a custom carrying case. Actually I would recomment rackmounting it even if it stays in the studio.

Value:
It's at a price point that would make you reconsider if you were thinking about gettting a DAT or MD recorder.

Desirability:
How can you resist the alluring metallescent purple front panel! The highly informative and readable display, and professional-feeling controls make it a very tasty item.

Sound:
What can I say? It gives you back exactly what you put into it...no noise, no distortion, nothing added, nothing subtracted. If you do your job in creating a good signal to feed into it, it will give back a perfect CD recording.

Overall:
It's a worthwhile replacement for MD recorders and can stand in place of a DAT recorder...the big bonus here is that whatever you record on this can be played back on ANYTHING: you car stereo, a home system, computers...you get the idea. Try that with a DAT or MD!

Other:
The weight of the unit is actually 7.7 lbs. (12.1 lbs. with packaging)
Overall dimensions (WxDxH) are 19.0 x 11.6 x 4.1 inches (3.5 inches high without feet)

I don't understand the comments about this machine not working with some media. I've never had a problem, and I've burned over 100 discs with this thing in the years that I've had it. Consumer data discs as well as proper "music" CD-R's.

However, I only use made in Japan Fuji/Maxell/Sony discs, and made in Taiwan TDK Riteks.

I've never specifically had to use "slower" media either. I question whether those having problems with this machine are using poor quality discs.

(I am using 32x made in Japan Maxell CD-R's right now.)

The only problem I have had (hence 4 stars and not 5), is that I use the HHB 830 to do "needle drops" from lps to transfer them to CD-R, then rip the CD-R's to my PC. *Sometimes* my PC chokes trying to read tracks recorded by this machine that play fine elsewise. The solution is to skip the 1st sample or two on tracks that have this problem, and rip the rest of the track. Copy Range vs Copy Track (in EAC).

I really love this machine other than that small problem. I record digitally, analogly, from lp, from DVD (some DVD soundtracks of live releases are better mastered than their CD counterparts), etc. I really like how you can adjust the recording level of both analog and digital inputs. Some machines don't allow you to change the digital input level.

the HHB 830 manual claims that a wide range of CDR will record properly. But a January 05 update warns that consumer data CDs don't work well, may DAMAGE the laser; and will VOID THE WARRANTY.

Too late i learned the update. So many cd failures. Friend of mine has had NO such problem with the previous hhb model 800. Basically this current 830 is a LEMON design that will use only a narrow range of 'slow' cd media. If the first reviewer is correct, even 32x 'music only' may be too fast. Try finding 24x anywhere but from hhb! Also, TASCAM sez its 900 model works with 52x. So skip the HHB.

The equipment looks very nice. I haven't been able to use it yet because I am waiting for an optical cable which had to be purchased separately (found a seller on Amazon.) The manual states you can only use a 3 foot length optical cable (go figure - I ordered a 6'). It comes with standard RCA type audio cables.

The equipment also requires special CD media. HHB was kind enough to ship one in the box. The recorder will not work with high speed (anything over 12x) CD's. The recorder burns at 1x. I read another review from someone who thought the machine was very slow. Well, it is, but it is archival quality and pretty much assures your recording will play on any commercial CD player. The recorder will record on RW CD's but the manual states that these CD's will not be recognized by many commercial CD players. You are pretty much confined to buying HHB CD media to use in this recorder.

Eventually this stopped working. I was informed that I need to use slower CDs...still had the same problem...eventually bought a Marantz.

I'll sell my hhb cheap...