In the following tests, we check the drive's behavior when it comes to reading scratched / defective discs. The test discs we use are the ABEX series from ALMEDIO.

- ABEX TCD-721R

What we have here is average performance. The total error count is low and most of the error loudness level is below -36 dB(A). However, there was one sample skipped. The total test result score is 73.3.

- ABEX TCD-726

Flawless reading of the 726 test media. 100 points for the total test result score.

- CD-Check Audio Test Disc

The CD-Check Test Disc is a very useful tool for evaluating the Sound Reproduction / Error correction capabilities of a CD player. The disc offers a signal combination with disc error patterns to rate the drive's ability to read music and reproduce it completely. Five tracks on the disc contain a sequence of progressively difficult tests. These tracks are referred as Check Level -1 through Check Level -5.

The tracks are reproduced (played) through a software multimedia player (i.e. Windows Media Player). Each level is considered as passed, if the tone coming out from the speakers is smooth, continuous without interruptions, skipping or looping. The higher the Check Level passed, the more reliable the sound reproduction of the tested device.

Average performance reported, with the drive managing to read the third error level without flaws. From the fourth level and up, audible clicks were present.

Overall, average CD error correction from the 5169D.