Try something different: take your mp3 files and convert them to WAV format using an external tool.
One of these could be winamp with the diskwriter (something like that) plugin.
Then try to burn the wav files with Nero after checking them that they play back correctly on your pc.
If the problem still exists, at least you will have ruled out the possiblity that Nero decodes the mp3 files incorrectly.

(in reply to Ethelion)

OK I am convinsed that it is not your players.

Another software you can use, which will convert automatically the files, is the TXones.

(in reply to scuba_steve)

How were the MP3's ripped? Sounds like a ripping problem, not a burning problem.

(in reply to Ethelion)

I thought he said they were playable ok from the HD, or I missed something again.

(in reply to MP3Mogul)

Yes, Iggy.. You are right.

The MP3's played just fine on my PC.

So no, it's not a "ripping" problem.

(in reply to Iggy)

Then you "definately" have a hardware problem, could be the motherboard, could be the soundcard, could be the writer... hard to say.

(in reply to Ethelion)

I am having the same pronlem. The only setup that has been changed with my system is the removal of a TDK440N and the addition of a Plextor PX-716A. I was wondering whether Ethelion solved his problem, or if anyone has any ideas.

A compiled audio CD will play fine on the computer, but the audio is distorted on stand alone players. I have attempted using Nero 6 and Roxio 7. I have also reconnected all of my audio cables on the drive and my my Audigy 2 ZS.

Thanks,

William

Also, FWIW, I have used different media. The media used to play just fine after burning with the TDK drive. Also, the Plextor burner makes great DVDs. I do not think the drive is the problem.

(in reply to Ethelion)

At what speed are you burning your AudioCDs with the Plextor?

(in reply to william6210)

I tried at both 48X and 4X. I have tried the CD in my Pioneer DVD/CD player, a couple of Memorex portable players, and my wifes car Sony player and all get distortion from the left channel.

I went out to my car just a while ago and i have a Sony unit. The disk played perfectly. It looks like the burner is burning the disc differently than my old burner.

I may start playing with the Plextor software and use VariRec.

Thanks for the reply and any suggestions you may have.

William

(in reply to scuba_steve)

But the data is just two lots of 16 bits, and subject to assorted encoding on CD.

Check the preview play of the file in the Nero compilation, if it's gone bad at that point then it's the Nero decoder that's to blame

I don't see any way the drive or media could have such a specific influence on just one channel.

(in reply to william6210)

The 48X speed produses very high jitter levels for the Plextor. The 4X on the other hand sometimes is not as good as we expect. Can you just make a test at 16X or 24X?

Also flash your drive to the latest firmware available.

(in reply to william6210)

Thanks Iggy. I will try that. I just installed my old 440N as a slave to the 716A. My old 440N now produces the same distortion. Could I possibly have a driver problem?

Thanks,

William

(in reply to Iggy)

Problem solved!

Actually I had a problem with the player being used to test the disks. My initial problem, I believe, was recording at 48X. To save time I brought one of the Memorex CD players next to the computer to test the disks. I kept having problems. After a few hours and around 20 disks, I finally got smart and carried the disks to a different player and they worked fine. It seems the player I was using to test the disks has a blown speaker.

Thanks for all the replies and assistance,

William

(in reply to scuba_steve)

Try EAC to burn at 8X speed,the sound will ok

(in reply to Ethelion)

@ william6210

I am glad your problem solved. Apart from it I would suggest you to avoid 48X and 40X burning.

(in reply to zjj33)