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

- ABEX TCD-721R

Errors total	Num: 960795
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 50100	Avg: -73.7 dB(A)	Max: -35.8 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 3073	Avg: 1.0 Samples	Max: 11 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0.0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	76.8 points (out of 100.0 maximum)
C2 Accuracy	99.7 % (out of 100.0% maximum)

The 832S drive performed very well with the ABEX TCD-721R. The drive's highest spike was at -36.0 dB(A) and the total score of 76.8 points is very good. We must also note that C2 accuracy reached 99.7%, an almost perfect score. The total error count is also relatively low.

- ABEX TCD-726

Errors total	Num: 0
Errors (Loudness) dB(A)	Num: 0	Avg: -174.0 dB(A)	Max: -174.0 dB(A)
Error Muting Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Skips Samples	Num: 0	Avg: 0 Samples	Max: 0 Samples
Total Test Result	100points (out of 100.0 maximum)

Unfortunately, EAC's analyzer software couldn't process the extracted wav file, since it produced a flat line on the error graph.

- 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 abilities 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 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.

Error Level	1	2	3	4	5
Sony DRU-700A	5/5	5/5	5/5	0/5	0/5

The drive passed only the first three Check Levels of the test. The performance reveals average sound reproduction and error correction. The fifth level includes an error size of 1.500mm, and the drive produced many audible clicks.

- Conclusion

The performance of the SONY DRU-700A was good, at least with the ABEX TCD-721R. The drive's abilities with the CD-Check Test Disc were limited to the 3rd Error level only.