Conclusion

Lite-On comes through with a solid CD-ROM offering.

In summary, its strengths include:

• Audio advance button in addition to tray eject button
• Excellent performance in file and disc copy tests
• Above average DAE speed and quality
• Excellent error correction during CD-DA playback

The drive's weak areas are:

• Pricing a bit higher than the competition
• Sparse retail accoutrements
• Lower-than-expected performance in the Winmark tests
• Accurate streaming not detected by CDSpeed99
• Read performance with CD-RW media is slower than the competition

The LTN526S is a Leaderboard contender. Compared directly to the current Leaderboard champ, the two drives trade strengths and weaknesses.

Afreey's CD-2056E takes the majority of the low-level categories as well as the CD-ROM Winmark test. It also maintains an advantage in audio extraction tests. Unfortunately, CD-CHECK tests commenced after the Afreey was returned to the manufacturer, so we cannot compare CD-DA playback error correction (where the LTN526S excels).

Lite-On's drive overtakes the CD-2056E in CD-RW transfer rate and access times, and in the disc copy test, while remaining competitive in most of the other categories.

In the end, the CD-2056E retains its Leaderboard spot; however, the earns LTN526S an honorable mention and Safe Buy.