INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon.
The CDR 26 CD Player/Recorder is a unique product,
designed not only to play back your existing library of
compact discs, but also to record compact discs from
either analog or digital programs. You may feed signals
(for recording) to the CDR 26 from external sources
such as an A/V receiver, a tuner, a tape deck or a CD
player, or you may simply place a CD in one deck,
and make a copy using a recordable CD in the
other deck.
Designed and engineered by Harman Kardon, the
CDR 26 is among the few audio CD recorders with 4x
speed capability. This means that it will take only 15
minutes to copy a 60-minute disc.
The CDR 26 not only records with the highest speed
and quality available but it is also an audiophile CD
player. Through the use of audiophile-grade digital-to-
analog converters (DACs), the CDR 26’s performance
rivals the most sophisticated high-end players. Should
you wish to bypass the internal DACs and use an
external digital processor, coax and optical digital out-
puts are available. Thanks to the CDR 26’s dual-tray
design, you may even set the CDR 26 to Continuous
Play mode for parties or where background music is
desired. To make CD
playback more enjoyable, the
CDR 26 also features
a wide range of program and
repeat functions.
Since CD recorders are a relatively new technology,
this may be your first CD-R product. Although CD
recorders resemble play-only CD machines in many
ways, there are some important differences between a
standard CD and a CD-R. In addition, making a CD-R
recording is also a different process than what you
may be familiar with for making audio tape or cassette
recordings. For that reason, we encourage you to read
through this manual so that you are fully acquainted
with the way CD recording works. This small investment
in your time will pay major dividends in the enjoyment
that will result from proper use of the CDR 26.
If you have additional questions about this product, its
installation or its operation that are not answered in
this manual, please contact your dealer, who is your
best source of local information. You may also contact
Harman Kardon via e-mail through our Web site at
www.harmankardon.com.
Special Features
■ Dual-deck CD player and CD-R/CD-RW
recorder
■ 4x Dub speed for both CD-R and
erasable CD-RW discs
■ Audiophile-grade digital-to-analog converters
for highest audio quality
■ Continuous play capability
■ Extensive playback programming capabilities
■ Coaxial and optical digital inputs and outputs
■ Front-panel coaxial and optical digital inputs
for use with portable devices
■ Sample-rate converter allows use of DAT
players as digital source
■ Ergonomic remote control
Important Information About CD
Recording
In order to get the most enjoyment from your new CD
recorder, please pay special attention to the following
sections of the manual that provide information about
the features and capabilities of CD recorders.
■ The CDR 26 plays all standard CD audio discs but
for recording, the CDR 26 uses special CD-R and
CD-RW discs designed only for audio use. CD-R
discs designed for computer use will not work in
the CDR 26. See page 14 for more information on
which types of discs are used with the CDR 26.
■ The last step in making a CD recording is the final-
ization process. Unless this step is properly done,
the disc will not work in other players. See page
21 for information on finalizing discs.
■
Once finalized, CD-R discs will play in any CD player,
but CD-RW discs will only play in the CDR 26 and
other machines specifically designed for compati-
bility with CD-RW discs. Check the specifications of
your CD player if you have questions about com-
patibility with CD-RW discs.
■ As with all CD players, except those designed
specifically for portable use, you should never
move a CD player while there is a disc inside one
of the decks. DO NOT move the CDR 26 until
discs have been removed from both decks.
INTRODUCTION 3