Questions about black CD-Rs.

I've read that black CD-Rs sound better than other CD-Rs. How many here believe this? If black CD-Rs are better, is there a particular black CD-R I should get? The CompUSA store near me has two types of Memorex black CD-Rs. One is a ten-pack in slimline jewel cases for $20. The package states that these CD-Rs can be used in either computer or stand-alone component burners (which I've never seen in a CD-R before). These discs are all black on the label side. The other type of black CD-Rs is a 50-disc spindle pack made for computer burners for $13. These discs are black and gold on the lablel side and have an area for you to label the disc. I certainly prefer the spindle pack based on price, and the dual compatibility of the ten-pack isn't such a big deal to me. So, the question is, are these two types of black CD-Rs the same soundwise? Thanks in advance.

 

I've been using the Memorex black CD-Rs with the black & gold label, having read the 'evidence' that these were supposed to be superior. I've certainly not had any that seemed bad in any way, but whether they are superior (supposedly less jitter) remains unanswered, as least from my perspective.

 

Harry,

While I use Quantegy Gold CD-R's for my most important projects, I use Memorex Black CD-R's for most other projects these days and I have never had a problem with one...

Bob

 

I've not had any trouble with the black ones either. The only CD-Rs that I ever HAD any trouble with are usually Maxells. I avoid them like the plague now.

 

How about the Verbatims? I kinda dig the little vinyl record look but have been too cautious.

 

Are you saying you have had problems with the Verbatim "vinyl" CD-R's? I have been using them almost exclusively for the past few months, I burn at 2X speed max, and I haven't had a single problem.

 

I don't know if they sound "better" or not, but I do know one thing: play them in the car at your own risk! A black CD-R of mine got STUCK and it was a nightmare prying that thing out. I'm not saying it won't work in yours, but be careful.

 

Hey Harry, I had trouble with Maxells too for my Pioneer audio CD burner.
Well the problem is the CD-R's that are manufactured in Taiwan have probably very little, if any quality control. They for the most part are very unreliable. Look on the packaging and if it says made in Japan, those are a much safer bet, with quality more as a standard. I've had much much better luck with those.

But those Taiwanese made ones, avoid those completely.

 

I've been using Memorex Black CDs for 6 months or more now and when I combine them with my Yamaha F1 burner in Audio Master Quality mode, they sound great.

 

I haven't tried the Memorex Blacks myself yet, but I'm definitely going to get some of those Mitsui Golds or at the very least, some of those Quantegy CD-Rs Bob recommends, since I'm going to be starting on a new batch of CD projects soon. Next up, I'll have to find out which DVD-Rs are of the same archival quality.

Strangely I haven't had any problems with the few Maxells I've had, but I did have a big problem with 1996-era Kodak/Verbatim discs where the label flaked off and, strangely enough, made the discs unplayable in those spots. Fortunately they were nothing important!

 

I use Maxell discs quite a bit and never had a problem. I only buy the made in Japan discs and I use their Maxell Pro line for real important stuff.

I have been tempted to try those black CD-R's myself though.

 

In my experience, they work fine, but they don't sound any different.

 

Thanks for all the replies! I may buy a 50-pack of the black CD-Rs just for kicks, but it's not a top priority.

For the record, I've been using Philips and Sony CD-Rs and have had no problems.

 

I haven't tried them at all because I was leary. I'll give them a shot. They would be cool to give as gifts.

Are there Japan-made CD-Rs?

 

I'm in agreement with the gang here. I've used Maxell made in Japan CD-R's for nearly 3 years now without so much as even one coaster. Recently I've been trying Fuji made in Japan with no problems so far. I'll have to give those black ones a try some day. Avoid those Taiwanese ones at all costs as when I tried them once I had quite a few coasters to show for it.

 

Where do the "cool colors" discs fit into all of this?

 

The only CD-R I ever *really* had problems with were the old Fuji blanks from 1998. A couple of years ago I had some problems with all TDK, regardless of country of manufacture or whichever burner I used them in. All my problems cleared up when I got this Yamaha F1. It will burn anything at ease, and it will even burn a CD at 44x with no problem, except that it's not good to do so because anything I have ever burned over 8x and up sounds progressively bad. This is also true of our Plextor.

These days, I am using some 74 minute Maxells I got for a very good price at Staples. They all burn and play very well. I'll let you know if any of them fail. I'm also working on some Fuji (Taiyo Yuden) blanks, some Verbatim vinyl, Kodak golds and silver/golds, and a few Memorex black CD-Rs. And, I still have a few Mitsui silvers that need to be used. They are almost five years old.

The Memorex black work fine and I have never burned a bad one. I have not tried the TDK black or the Maxell black.

A lot of how a blank is written and behaves is largely due to the burner in question.

 

I have used the Fuji color (again, Taiyo Yuden) and Memorex. They work great!

 

Tayio Yuden are made in Japan. They invented the CD-R.

Ritek is made in Taiwan. They have a bad reputation, but they have gotten much better over the years.

Sony is made in Taiwan by a reportedly terrible company. They used to be made by Taiyo Yuden.

Verbatim is made by Mitsubishi.

Mitsui is now supposedly made in Italy.

And, of course, Kodak is no longer made.

I'm not sure who makes Imation now. CMC used to. They also have a bad rep, but I have never had a bad Imation blank, even when they were owned and made by 3M.

Tayio Yuden makes Maxell Pro as well as some Memorex and their own brand.

I have not tried Quantegy, but I just might soon.

I have heard bad things about BASF.

I have not tried HHB...or is it HBB?

 

I believe Imation discs are now made in India.

 

Oops. I meant, are there any Japan-made black CD-Rs?
Thanks for the info though. I like the Maxell Pros.

 

"The CompUSA store near me has two types of Memorex black CD-Rs. One is a ten-pack in slimline jewel cases for $20. The package states that these CD-Rs can be used in either computer or stand-alone component burners (which I've never seen in a CD-R before)."

Keith,

Are the Memorex black CD-Rs that you mention above music CD-Rs, which can be used for recording on music recorders only? The reason that I ask is because I have a stand-alone Philips CD recorder which will only record on music CD-rs. Or, does anyone know of any black recordable music CD-Rs that are available?


Thanks,

Ed Hurdle
HeavyDistortion

 

The black discs are fine but I really don't see paying the extra money unless you are one of the few who can hear the jitter differences. My ears must not be that finely tuned so I stick with the Maxells made in Japan. I've never had a bad one that I can remember and I've been buying them for a couple of years now.

Memorex regulars can be hit or miss depending on who they are using as suppliers so I stay away from them completely. I've had too many go bad.

 

Jitter is easily measured down the the picosecond level (much smaller than the 35 nanoseconds of jitter permitted by redbook standards).

Has there been any actual testing that demonstrates that black CD-Rs have lower jitter?

I'm not claiming that there can't be a difference or that none of you are hearing a difference, I'm just genuinely interested in any testing data that is available.

 

I've lucked out and had good luck with the last couple spindles of standard Memorex CD-Rs I've purchased. Ditto the Verbatims...no coasters yet, except those caused by a hardware problem or my own stupidity.

Didn't someone once post a link to a site (or sites) here that shows test data for the CD-Rs, along with the manufacturers of the different brands?