Sony RCDW500C Compact Disc Player / Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When it works it's an awesome piece of Sony engineered home audio recording equipment...When it doesn't it's scrap pile. I can sympathize why some reviewers might have chucked theirs in the dumpster...

The first one I bought had some serious locking up issues;It just malfunctioned on the same day I purchased it.It even trapped one of my cd's inside;to retrieve the cd back was no small feat without almost busting a knuckle.As I found out after removing the cover that space for the elevator/built in cartridge exchange mechanism is pretty tight. If you ever get a cd stuck in there, good luck!I immediately exchanged it for one that worked properly at my local electronics dealer.

This one has worked flawlesly for me for the past two years without failure ! I have not encountered any finalizing issues. Sony has crammed the RCDW500C with loads of features and then some. The only minor complaints I have is that you have to really read the manual from top to bottom,left to right, then try to memorize what some of it's hidden functions are to get the most from this unit. The flourescent digital readout display is not user friendly. Also, the internal cd exchanging mechanism is very noisy and clunky for being a Sony.Previously, I owned a Philips carousel model that was extremely quiet and smooth in it's mechanical operations and playback/recording functions.The downside of the Philips model was that it lacked the 4 times recording speed and the six cd holding capacity that I'm thrilled about with the Sony! Yet, it's(Philips) flourescent display readout was extremely user friendly and easy to read.It literally would tell you in text exactly what you needed to know and what function it was performing or instruct you what you needed to do to achieve optimum recording results.It would guide you practically step by step in words on the display and not numbers or codes. The Sony doesn't---it's all just digital display numbers and codes(save that Sony instruction manual and guard it with your life!!). However, it gets the job done and then some with flying colors...I use mine mainly for vinyl to cd-r transfers and the results are awesome! Sonically, the music sounds much more crisp, clear and sharp than the original analog source.I don't even use the SuperBit Mapping feature to enhance the sound;doesn't need it.Also, the fact it can hold 6 cds for playback is incredible and versatile. Some of the functions, whether necessary or mere bells and whistles, are a pleasure to have and use.

If the readout display was easier to read,certain "hidden" button/rotary knob functions better laid out on the unit's fascia and the exchange mechanism quieter, this would definitely qualify as Sony's flagship CD-R machine and get a 5 star vote from me...

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Product Description:
Make your own music mixes and enjoy the sonic results with Sony's RCD-WC500 Compact Disc Player/Recorder. Featuring a 5-CD/Dual Deck with 4x High Speed Dubbing and CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 Playback Capability*, this product records CD-Recordable and CD-ReWritable Discs*, offers SBM - Super Bit Mapping® Recording and High Speed Finalizing, and CD Text Entry. Also utilize 24-Step Program Play, One-Touch Synchro Start/Record, and the supplied Remote Commander® Remote Control. Begin burning your CDs today with the RCD-WC500.*CD-R/RW Playback may not be compatible with all discs, depending on recording conditions.

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