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

Rather good performance was reported while testing the drive with the 721 test media. The total error count is very low while most of the errors (red in the graph above) are below -36.0 dB(A), with just two spikes reaching around -22.6 dB(A). No skipped samples were reported and the 77.4% total test result is good.

- ABEX TCD-726

Flawless reading with the 726 test media. 100 points for the total test result and 100% C2 accuracy.

- 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 playing flawlessly up to and including the third level. From the fourth level up, audible clicks were present.