Pioneer PDR-04

Data

General

• Manufacturer: Pioneer
• Model: PDR-04
• Type: CD recorder
• Years of manufacture: 1997 - 1999

Color: Black

• Power consumption: 15 W
• Dimensions: 420 x 125 x 285 (WxHxD)
• Weight: 5,0 kg
• Original price approx.: 1'500 DM

Connections

• Number of inputs: 3
  • Optical digital input jack (Toslink)
  • Coaxial digital input jack
  • LINE input jack (2x Cinch Line In)
• Number of outputs: 4
  • Optical digital output jack (Toslink)
  • Coaxial digital output jack (Cinch)
  • LINE output jack (2x Cinch Line Out)
  • Headphone output (6.3mm socket, adjustable)

Technical Data

• Write speed: 1x
• Hard disk: No
• Converter:
• Frequency response: 2Hz - 20kHz
• Dynamic range: 97 dB (EIAJ)

Signal-to-noise ratio playback/ recording analog: 108 dB (EIAJ) / 92 dB (Stereo 3/1997: Signal-to-noise ratio "digital zero" 98 dBA digital, 90 dBA analog) Distortion factor: 0.004 % (EIAJ), analogue recording 0.005 %.

• Channel separation (crosstalk attenuation between the two channels): 96 dB (EIAJ)
• Search manually and by track
• CD text: no
• MP3 support: no
• Pitch control: no
• Auto play: no
• Shuffle: yes
• Title programming: Yes
• Insertion of pauses (Auto Space)

• More data at "Hifi Engine": [1]

Special Features

• Digital-Synchro (1-Track/All)
• Skip of failed recordings programmable
• Switchable display
• Metal front, (but the drawer is made of plastic)
• Title start marker takeover from CD
• Headphone output adjustable
• Gold-plated Cinch sockets and headphone output socket
• Display title- remaining time, total remaining time

Peak Hold display

• Setting of title numbers also manually

Remarks

• Other models of the same series:
• Pioneer PDR-04
• Pioneer PDR-05
• Pioneer PDR-09

Pictures

• Extract from brochure: Pioneer PDR-04

Reports

• Pioneer PDR-05, but sold from late 1995 onwards.
• Predecessor model: none (if you consider the PDR-05, released in late 1995, to be of the same series).
• successor model: Pioneer PDR-555W
• technically the Pioneer PDR-04 is based on its bigger and more expensive brother PDR-05, which however remained much more expensive and had better features
• The unit has its own remote control, somewhat larger and handier than that of the PDR-05: Pioneer CU-PD083
• Direct selection of titles only via the remote control
• As a CD player the unit was not praised as much as a CD recorder, therefore the rating in the Hifi magazine AUDIO (see below) is only "upper class".

Second CD recorder ever in the consumer class (not professional) on the market, first device under 2,000 DM. Analog recording is only possible with automatic control, not manually. No audio CDRW can be written yet.

• Without tuning, as with all devices of this time, only audio CDRs can be burned (but they are still available in 2019)
• The device has in contrast to the PDR-05 no sample rate converter. Digital sources like DAT and best. Radio types can not be recorded digitally.

• Stereoplay 3/1997: Highlight, top class, very good (even before PDR-05), sound rating 25 points (from mid 1998 50 points), price/performance very good. "Unrivalled low-priced CD recorder. Recordings made via digital input sound outstanding." (Stereoplay 3/1997, p.53)
• AUDIO 5/1997: Good, upper class. Sound 75 points (Analog 75 p./ digital 75 p.)
• STEREO 3/1997: Stereo test verdict: Very good, 2 stars. "It costs 1000 Marks less than the PDR-05 and is nevertheless completely sufficient for many applications: So for copying CDs and for compiling your own samplers. However, this only on digital level, for analogue recordings another good digital recorder or the big brother is recommended." (Stereo 3/1997, p.43)