It's interesting that you link to the dBPowerAmp forum (I don't think anyone here minds making reference to it), since the opinion I'm about to give is largely based on ripping audio discs in dBPowerAmp. My best experience has been with the Pioneer DVR-219L, which is no longer made unfortunately. I bought 3 of them in 2012 and they are still going strong after ripping literally a few thousand audio CDs.

My desktop has 2 DVR-219L's, a newer Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-ray reader/DVD writer, and an LG "Super Multi Blue" Blu-Ray/DVD Burner (model number escapes me at the moment). On damaged audio CDs, the DVR-219L's can read damaged CDs better than the others 90% of the time. I've also had LG DVD/CD drives in the mix (no Blu-ray capabilities) and they were always outperformed by the 219 as well. What I can't speak to is their data disc ripping capability -- only audio. I always use AccurateRip, or have 2-pass secure ripping enabled for discs not in the AccurateRip database.

I see on the post you linked that the DVR-219L is pretty far down the list, so YMMV I suppose.

Well, I guess great audio ripping capabilities might not necessarily mean great data-reading capabilities - it only might have great audio track reading error correction (I might be mistaking - feel free to correct me) - I'm definitely not an expert but I can imagine this really could differ.

Well - this might be confirmation of my assumption stated above.. :unsure:

Anyway - thanks for the reply, even a little help is always a help :) I will definitely consider your recommendation.

I posted here in hope there's someone on this forum who had experience with tens or hundreds of optical drives and hopefully also some bad media (similar to the guy from dBPowerAmp forum) and that this "someone" might bring some new recommendations.. not sure if such "someone" exists though, nor if (s)he notices this thread :)

That would be me. :cool:

Hundreds of drives, easily hundreds of thousands of discs.

Posting now so you know such a person exists! He just needs time to answer. :P

I will wait humbly in great anticipation :) :old:

As I am really having a hard time finding ANYTHING on this topic around the web, it might be very useful and quite unique information for the people of this (and maybe even any other) world :laugh:

Thanks! :)

Hello,

I second the request for up to date suggestions. Most if not all of the best drives are discontinued or unavailable today. My Pioneer DVR-118LBK does a clicking sound when I hit the eject button, but won't open. I need a new one, but can't find any.

thanks

I have to say, after reading the 2016 drives post over at the dBPowerAmp forums, I snagged 2 of the top ranked LiteOn rev W drives on eBay, and they ripped a bunch of discs with zero re-reads that my other Pionner and LG drives couldn't.

Still waiting humbly in great anticipation.. :) Oh Lord(Smurf), I am not worthy.. :)

Among currently available (as new) DVD and BD burners, which models provide best support for Nero DiskSpeed media testing/scans?

The sites dedicated to the software appear to be old and not updated.

DVD: LiteOn iHAS x24-series

BD: Recommended LiteOn iHBS-series x12, sometimes to find on Ebay.

New available drives are LG BD-writers with Vinpower-FW, like WH16NS58. It´s also possible to crossflash the BH16NS55 to WH16NS58, but it looks it don´t work always


BTT:

Worst drives as writer: LiteOn SOHW 1653S, BTC 1016IM, AOpen DUW 1616 AAR

LG GH24NSC0B Super Multi Drive is my choice.
I think it is the best out there.
Although you need not consider my suggestion as more valuable as I have used very less number of burner hardware.

What's you guys thoughts on this one?

That drive is 10-15 years old, and must be NOS.
Memorex was never known to rebadge quality drives, only cheap drives. I don't recall what it rebadged,