Marantz CDR300 Portable CDR and CDRW Recorder

No longer available at zZounds
Includes 4-pin AC adapter.

The CDR300 by Marantz Professional is the world's first CD Recording system designed for stand-alone portable recording. This professional CD recorder offers the functionality of a professional tape recorder, while recording directly to blank CD-R/RW media. Once finalized, recorded discs will play back in virtually any CD player.

To record, simply place the compact and lightweight CDR300 on a table-top, plug it into an AC electrical outlet, and record live using either the internal microphone or external microphones that attach to stereo XLR or 1/4-inch mic/line inputs. Because a preamplifier is built into the unit, an external mixer or mic preamp is not required. A built-in speaker or headphone jack conveniently allows recordings to be monitored.

"There are many advantages to recording direct to CD-R/RW," says Peter Papageorge, National Sales Manager for Marantz Professional. "The media can be purchased for pennies yet offers superior sound quality compared to cassettes. And most everyone now owns a CD player that can play back CD-R discs."

High and low EQ and high and band pass filtering can be independently adjusted for each mic/line input in the preset menu. 48 volt phantom power is available for condenser microphones. The unit also provides manual or automatic level control, limiter, and digital level meters.

"We've designed the CDR300 to be as easy to use as our respected line of portable tape recorders. You can start and stop recording just like a tape, and if read more you use rewritable discs you can even erase the disc or last track," says Papageorge.

The CDR300 is a professional-grade CD recorder that records to both music and computer CD-R and CD-RW discs. Track titles can be input using CD-Text. It can make a perfect digital copy of any CD. The unit can also record a CD from any digital or analog source including LPs, DATs, cassettes, or MiniDiscs. RCA analog inputs/outputs and digital (SPDIF) input/output are provided on the rear panel. A 4-pin DC power input enables the CDR300 to be used with external gel-cell battery packs.

Features:

Built-in microphone and speaker

Stereo XLR & 1/4 in. mic/line inputs

48V Phantom Power

RCA line out

Stereo RCA Aux input

Digital RCA (SPDIF) input and output

Programmable mic/line EQ

Programmable mic/line high and band pass filtering

Manual or automatic level control for recording

Onboard limiter

Computer CD-R/RW disc compatible

3-band master EQ

Full function IR remote included

AC Power or 4-pin DC connection for use with gel-cell battery packs
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General
System: Compact Disc Digital Audio (CD-DA)
Number of channels: 2 (stereo)
Discs accepted: CD, CD-R, CD-RW
Power requirements: AC 120V 60 Hz, 21 W

Dimensions (Maximum)
Width: 11 in. (279 mm)
Height: 4 in. (102 mm)
Depth: 9 in. (229 mm)
Weight: 7 lbs. (3.2 Kg)

Audio
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
ADC: 24-Bit Resolution 64x oversampling
DAC: 16-Bit Resolution 8x oversampling

CD-R Drive

Playback S/N: 85 dB
Playback Dynamic Range: 85 dB
Playback Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.05%
Output Voltage/Impedance (Line Output): 1.0 V/2K

Mic/Line Analog Line Level
S/N: 80 dB
THD: 0.05%
Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 500 mV/2K

Mic Level
S/N: 60 dB
THD: 0.2%
Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 1.2 mV/2K

AUX analog input
S/N: 75 dB
THD: 0.5%
Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 800 mV/23K

Digital Input
Sample rate: 11 kHz ~ 58 kHz

Digital Output
Output Level/Impedance: 0.5 Vp-p/75 ohm

Headphone Output (10% THD)
Level/Impedance: 70 mW/32 ohm

Speaker Output (10% THD)
Level/Impedance: 1.7 W/8 ohm

Specifications are based on measurement conditions and proper care for the machine, and are subject to change without notice.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 630-741-0330

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. (107 ratings)
Submitted May 26, 2004 by a customer from comcast.net

"Marantz CDR300 is great! But ..."

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I hope to use this recorder for at least a few more years. I needed a portable digital recording device and didn't want to hassle with interfacing with the PC. With this solution, you just take the CD out of the recorder, pop it into the PC and rip the CD. I required portability. I wish I knew the optional battery pack was $150+ But, on the other hand, the battery pack has good life. I've recorded three full length CDs without recharging. I had the occassional "record error" problems. When there is an affordable, solid state (no moving parts) CD quality recorder with a capacity of 60-80 minutes, I'll buy it.
Sound
Microphone used is more likely the limiting factor.
Features
A portable CD recorder for which portable power (battery) is optional equipment at $150 or more, and connector is proprietary.
Quality
I'd give this a 10, except for one problem. On a number of occassions when I thought I had a great recording ... stopped recording ... and attempted to start another recording ... got a record error message on the display. When this happened, usually the first recording was lost and the CD was corrupt an unreadable! A serious problem for one of a kind recordings ... aren't they all?
Value
It is the only portable CD recorder I am aware of, and that is what I wanted, so I paid the price.
The Wow Factor
It is an attractive, sturdy piece of equipment. But, more importantly, it is the only one I am aware of in the category.
7 of 7 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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