Mostly I hear Taiyo Yuden, but don't get them from SupermediaStore. BAAAD packing. Mine arrived with the container smashed and little pieces of plastic interspersed and scratching up the discs.

I agree - On both counts. Yes, TY. No, SMS.

Rima is always nice...

I would recommend using D-Skins to protect them as well. You can burn the CD/DVD with them on, but I personally think that is a little overkill, like wearing a wetsuit and a condom.

As I just mentioned in the other thread about burning speeds, I've been having a LOT of problems with TY. So much that I've abandoned using them.

In general, their spindle packaging sucks and no matter where you get them from, the packaging is likely to be damaged.

Maybe I'm just bitter, but I've had WAY too many problems with them lately.

No idea what brand they really are under the skin, but Discmakers Printable Ultra & Premium grade CDs are now my top choice. I buy in bulk from them now, and use their stuff in my duplicators and one-offs.

They are hands-down the best I've ever used; next to ZERO failures or client returns. Every finnicky or balky machine (including one of my live CDr machines) performs better with these discs. I was about to replace one machine outright due to burn failures, but gave the new discs a try, and again: zero failures or errors.

Has anyone tried the Apogee Gold or Silver?

I'd be interested to hear any comparisons, if any.

Yes.

GC had a sale on Apogee Golds and I bought about 50 of them (individually jewel cased) for something like $.89 each (versus their normal cost of over $2 per disc at that time).

They worked and I had no issues out of them. However, given the price of the DM Premiums and their consistency, I'm content to stick with them.

Jeremy and Joe -

Are you getting these results from the Premiums? Any reason to pay for the Ultras?

Let me check into that Bob. I've only recently switched and don't recall which exact ones I've used.

Remind me if you don't hear back in a couple days or so...

I'm using the Ultra's almost exclusively now, but I've had good luck in the past with the Premiums as well.

Since I buy in bulk (and live nearby to their plant in Pennsauken, NJ), the difference between the two is mimimal, and the peace of mind is, as they say: "Priceless".