Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony RCDW500C Compact Disc Player / Recorder

I purchased the Sony recorder approximately 6 weeks ago when a dual deck recorder that I had for five years started giving me some trouble. I do studio recording as a hobby, and the Sony has performed very good. I didn't have any trouble operating it, as most of the dual deck recorders work very similar. I especially like the 4 times speed to copy disks. I looked at other recorders, and the prices were quite a bit higher than the Sony. I would definitely buy another one, if I wear this one out.

I purchased the recorder in August of 2006. I also purchased from Sam's some Verbatim CD-R Music/Data CDs. The recorder recognized the CD-Rs with no problem. These CDs can be used for both data and for recording music. I recorded over 100 LPs using these CDs. I had problems with error messages and sometimes I had to use 3 or 4 CDs is make a successful copy of an LP. The error messages came up when the machine warmed up - after making 2 CD recordings. The error messages were either C14/TOC Error (not able to read the table of contents when the recording process is finished or not able to Finalize. Also, received a C13 Error - not successful because of Vibration or a dirty disc -- the error message was not true because there was no vibration or dirty disk. I changed over to Maxell CD-R Music CDs. I have recorded over 15 of these CDs with no problems - no error messages. Some people experienceing problems with error messages may have a compability problem with the CDs they are using. I recommend trying different CDs. When the recorder is working the way it should, it is a great machine with great results. I have noticed that if one does not have the proper type input signal set on the machine (digital or analog) or the proper CD-R in the machine, the recorder will not recognize the input signal. The instructions with the machine could be better. The recorded music is as good or better than the LP.

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.

I reviewed this in 2004, but technology has changed enough in the meantime to make that review and, for most people, this product obsolete. What's new is: 1. you very likely have a computer with a CD burner and 2. a 1GB SD card (enough to hold a CD) costs under $20, making recording either direct to CD or to hard disk less attractive.

These days, for transferring vinyl or cassette to CD or MP3, I would recommend something like the Edirol R-09 WAVE/MP3 Recorder. Plug it into your stereo to record, and then carry it (or its memory card) to your computer. Edit and mix to taste, then burn. Do not be put off by the fact that this device looks nothing like a stereo component; rather, put it in your pocket and record your kid's recital, in higher quality than you can imagine if the last time you tried was on cassette.

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.