I am trying to decided between these 2 drives:
LiteOn LTR-40125S
LG GCE-8320B
What I have worked out so far:
They can both be OC’ed (LiteOn 40->48; LG 32->40 )
Both (once OC’ed) use P-CAV. (which I’d prefer for making audio CD’s)
The LiteOn has 2MB buffer and Mt.Rainier support
The LG has 8MB buffer and (maybe) Mt.Rainier support? See refs:
LG-Australia Website: 32x CD Rewriteable Recorder - GCE-8320B
Scorpion Technology - Online Computer Store (Australia)
techbuy.com.au
The LiteOn is faster in all respects, but costs a bit more.
The LG is cheaper and (aparently) better at ripping CD Audio:
Exact Audio Copy Forum - RESULTS: Most accurate DAE ripper drive
To quote some of the statements made by Halcyon in the EAC forum thread above:
…Sony DDU1621 and LG GCE-8320B passed all tests. All others failed at least once …
Plextor UltraPlex 40 is NOT a very accurate DAE ripper under scratched conditions, when compared to the current best out there (Sony DDU1621 or LG GCE-8320B)
…from a practical point of view of rip speed and rip quality, those two drives LG and Sony are the only ones that produce consistently the same CRCS from one rip to another while others get different CRCS for even the same track on two different rips. …The other drives tested (including LiteOn and Plextor models) did NOT pass this test for accuracy (CRC, consistency, audible accuracy) or rip speed when it comes down to scratched discs.
And another thread (Hydrogen Audio) has shaken my confidence in the ripping ability of the LiteOn burners:
Project Mayhem (Hydrogen Audio) - best drive for ripping?
I saw this statement from Halcyon:
…Well, I’m sorry to say, but in terms of accuracy LiteOn does not shine. I wish it did, as it’s a wickedly fast ripper.
Doh! I was almost sold on the LiteOn drives after the reviews here and at CDRLabs. Now I don’t know which way to go.
Can anyone help clear things up for me? Experiences with either/both drives?
Would it be worth getting say the LTD-163D just for ripping? -Does this drive have any major advantages for ripping? (eg better with baddly scratched or protected disks than LTR-40125???)
thanks
peleton.
p.s. does an 8MB buffer (rather than only 2MB) mean the LG can be more reliable for burns? thanks.