CDR 2

The Harman/Kardon CDR 2 is a dual-well CD recorder designed to fulfill the roles of both a high-quality CD player and a CD recorder. Priced originally at $800, and available for around $650, it has garnered interest for its capabilities. With around 50 hours of burn-in, users have reported that it offers a pleasing audio experience, characterized by a strong sound stage, excellent channel separation, and considerable dynamic range. This device records at a speed of 4x, particularly well with Kodak CD-Rs, while some issues have been reported with Mitsui CD-Rs in terms of playback compatibility. Users have also experienced operational quirks, such as unintended switching to 'dual' mode during dubbing, which prevents simultaneous listening. Additionally, some have encountered intermittent sound drop-outs on the CDP side during playback. Despite these issues, the CDR 2 remains capable of producing quality recordings from non-CD sources through its analog inputs, comes with a functional remote control, and has an appealing design. It may present a gamble for potential users given the issues, but it also has the potential to serve well if functioning correctly.