How about we check out the drive's scratched and defective disc error correction capabilities, using the ABEX test disc series from ALMEDIO and the LiteOn SOSW-852SX. The results are given below...

- ABEX TCD-721R

The drive managed to achieve a total test result of 62.7 out of 100, which illustrates the ability of the drive with the specific test disc. Despite a low Loudness Error level (-27.9 dB(A)) compared to most drives, the total error count is very high which is why many samples had to be muted while 2 samples were skipped.

- ABEX TCD-726

The behavior of drive was much better in this case where it managed to correct all the disc's errors. The result was a perfect 100.

- CD-Check Audio Test Disc

In order to evaluate the sound reproduction and error correction capabilities of a CD player (currently the LiteOn SOSW-852SX), we used the CD-Check Audio Test Disc. The disc, designed and manufactured with error paterns, contains five tracks, each track progressively harder to read and reproduce with the CD player. These tracks are referred to as Check Level -1 through Check Level -5.

The files 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.

The drive passed only the first two Check Levels of the test and managed only 3 out of 5 with the third level. The performance reveals less than average error correction. The fourth and the fifth levels include an error size of 1.125mm and 1.500mm respectively and the drive produced continuous audible clicks over these tracks, as do many of the drives we have reviewed in the past.