Is it better to burn a CD-R at single speed rather than 2X or 4X?
This is a complex question. In practice the results appears more consistent and readable within the CD-R recording layer when the recording speed is 2X or higher. It is believed the pit formation in a 1X Recorder, where the heat caused by the laser remains focused on the pit for a longer time, may reduce the reliability of the 1X recording process. Most recently introduced Recorders and media are tuned for 2X and 4X recording speeds. Though remember the Orange Book, Part II, until revised, only addresses interchangability at 1X and 2X recording speeds. One reason this question was asked some years ago was due to the system and CD-Recording software not being able to keep up a stream of data and consequently ruining the media. With recent PCs and software this is no longer a problem. So in general the best option is a 2X CD-R write with the fastest possible read speed. The Mitsumi CR-2600TE comes with software which can recommend the optimum recording speed for your PC configuration.
