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Windows 10 installation (Net MD): 1) Download the files in description 2) Double click on "SS43_Ultimate.exe" and install the "SonicStage" program. 3) Go to Program Files (x86) -> Sony -> Personal Audio Drivers -> Sort by type -> Highlight all the ".inf" files, right click on one of them and hit install. 4) Unzip the second attached file "sony-net-md-drivers-win764.zip" and open up the folder "Sony Net MD Drivers". 5) Right click "NETMD760.inf" and hit install. 6) Go to Program Files (x86) -> Sony -> SonicStage-> Right click on "Omgjbox.exe -> Click on Compatibility -> Under the Compatibility tab, click the box and select "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" Launch SonicStage, plug in your Walkman and a "NET MD" tab should show up in Sonic Stage. If the "NET MD" tab does not show up for you, then you need to find the correct driver for the individual Microdisc player You may receive an error when starting it, just click "next" and agree" and open it up a 2nd time without problems. Learning how to use SonicStage is very easy. SS43_ULTIMATE.exe sony-net-md-drivers-win764.zip

Since the "Ultimate" 4.3 version seems to have gained quite a popularity, and appears to be less glitchy than any previous one, I decided to build a second release. This is purely a cosmetic update. What's changed from the first release: 1. Updated Registry Information Setup is used now. This doesn't affect minidisc functionality in any way, but may add support for some newer ATRAC phones (you still need to provide the respective drivers). 2. The link to Minidisc Community Forums in the Help menu is replaced with a link to Sony Insider Forums. 3. Installation package extraction path is no longer saved to registry. 4. Windows Installer 2.0 distribution package is not included. The complete list of changes from the official VAIO version (including changes introduced in the first release): 1. System prerequisites from Microsoft (Windows Installer 2.0, DirectX 9.0c, Windows Media Format 9, Windows Media Format 9.5, Data Access Components 2.5) are not included. 2. OpenMG Secure Module version 5.0 with the respective Registry Information is used instead of the original patched version 4.7. 3. Sony CONNECT Store support is no longer installed. 4. SonicStage Security Update is installed automatically. 5. Latest Personal Audio Drivers for SONY devices are installed automatically. 6. The VAIO support link in the Help menu is replaced with a link to Sony Insider Forums. NOTE: If you have applied the experimental SonicStage patch 4.3.02 for Vista/Windows 7, you'll need to re-apply it after installation. Download links: SonicStage 4.3 "Ultimate" Release 2 for Windows 2000/XP/Vista (you must register at Sony Insider forums to download) Mini-mode skins Recommended PxEngine update

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum, and let me say that I love to see the love and conversation about MiniDisc keep going on I'm popping in just to let you know that I've recently released an app for NetMD devices. I wrote the app mainly for myself, but I thought it might be useful for some of you too! So, and here's the link to use it -> https://stefano.brilli.me/webminidisc/ And here's a short demo of how app works Any feedback is welcome! Stefano

As promised in one of my previous posts, here is the trailer for 'The Field Recordist' which features some of the mini disc recorders, together with recorded tracks: UPDATED - HERE IS THE COMPLETE FILM: Best heard with headphones.

Hello! Just thought I'll report it here, if you're trying to create an account without a connection with an already existing account like Google or alike, it's simply impossible to do so, because of incorrectly loaded reCaptcha. To make this account I had to rewrite the part of the site responsible for the captcha. If anyone else is experiencing the same difficulties, here are the steps I used to create my account: Go to https://forums.sonyinsider.com/register/ In devtools, open the `head` tag and remove all the scripts that mention recaptcha Add a new script, with `src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js"` Execute the following JavaScript code: const captcha = document.querySelector("[data-ipscaptcha]"); const parent = captcha.parentElement; captcha.remove(); const newCaptcha = document.createElement("div"); parent.appendChild(newCaptcha); grecaptcha.ready(() => grecaptcha.render(newCaptcha, {sitekey: "6LdgERMTAAAAAC4kTmm7BH1laShX3teATAV_6FIY"})); After that, you should be able to click on the captcha and create your account by executing the following JS code (the submit button is broken): document.querySelector("form").submit();

Finally, my homebrew laser power meter is put together. It cost $3 worth of surface mount components, a used disc sacrificed for the shell, a piece of pcb, and some other stuff I found in the back of my drawer. Initially I tested it with my digital multimeter hooked on those test terminals, but then I found this neat little five-digit Volt-meter I bought some time ago on ebay, I think it was five bucks or so with free shipping from China. Without much fine tuning, I popped this little probe into all the decks I had at hand, and measured the laser power. From the mV readings and the nominal laser power values I calculated the mV-to-mW multipliers, and I took the average of a unit I trusted the most, a 940. Using this sole multiplier as the "calibration", I recalculated the measured mW figures and compared to the factory recommended range. Most of the other units were nicely within specification, but this 530 in question, that immediately popped out, being near 40% below the necessary values, i.e., 0,55 mW and 4,32 mW versus 0,9 mW and 7,0 mW respectively. Now, it might be that easy, but before changing anything, I want to check the IOP, to see, whether that meets the specs, and set the measured value for further adjustments. For this I will need that rig connecting to the drive, currently waiting for the special connector to arrive. So much for now, I will update the thread as I progress. Some photos attached below, just for fun.

I received a similar, albeit slightly smaller, mix of boxed and unboxed discs today too 🙂

Which sort of cases are you after? You used to be able to buy the basic hinged jewel cases from Amazon but I've not seen them on there for a few years now: If you're UK based Retro Style Media sell them: https://www.retrostylemedia.co.uk/product/clear-minidisc-case Price per case varies depending on how many you buy. Note that the quoted price is ex VAT so you'll need to factor that in as well. They also sell the larger cases that pre-recorded discs used to come in back in the 90s: They come in a variety of colours but are a lot more expensive. You can find them here: https://www.retrostylemedia.co.uk/shop/minidisc-cases That website also has templates to download for the inserts etc. There's a bit more info (and a video) here:

Don't worry about it - I got myself a Sony LAM for testing and ended up falling in love with the whole LAM series of devices. I have 3 now, so I use that functionality regularly 😆

Over the past couple of months, I've been bitten by the MD bug again. I hadn't visited this forum in a VERY long time. I've used one of my MZ-NH900s at my work desk on almost a daily basis for 10+ years. It sits it's original cradle, powered from the AC adapter because the battery long since gave up the ghost. I have about 20 disc's (a mix of Hi-MD and standard MD My other NH900 has been broken for years after it fell out of my pocket and a disc got jammed. Was able to get the disc out by disassembling the recorder but when I all went back together the buttons were no longer responsive... So I put it in a storage box with my other MD stuff that wasn't used anymore. FF 1month ago, I was digging thru some things and came across my box MD recorders. Pulled out the NH900 and took it apart again. Long story short, it's had been returned to service! While looking for info on repair, I came across this site and an intro to Reddit MD. My interest stoked again, burned some new disc's, reorganized some of my favorites, and am trying my hand at labeling. I've also managed to buy a couple of new Hi-MD blanks and some used standard MDs. It's always fun to go thru used disc's from someone else to see what's on them 🙂 My MD arsenal consists of: MZ-R500, MZ-N707 (eprom nodded), MZ-N920, IM-DR420, MZ-NH600D, 2-MZ-NH900s, 2-MZ-RH10s (both with bad displays), and a MZ-RH910. 150ish standard MDs and 15 Hi-MDs. Most of my standard disc's are Hi-MD formated and most of the music is burned in ATRAC3plus @256k. I simply LOVE this format!

Nice to see SIF back up. Why was it down? It was quite a long time. I think many people have given up on it. That http://www.minidisc.wiki has turned out pretty nice btw. Still has a ways to go, but it has data on some devices not found anywhere else in English.

I don't have a question, just wanted to post a brief homage to my Sony MZ-R90 which I got, unexpectedly, as a birthday present in 2000. It transformed portable audio for me, but unfortunately, six short months later, my MZ-R90 was stolen by an opportunistic thief. Not long after that, I moved on from MD to MP3 players, but just recently I've been reminiscing wistfully about that beautiful little piece of music technology. I had the black version, and I think the industrial design is really magnificent.

Back in 1997, long before MP3 was anything more than a concept, I was serving in the Air Force and frequently deployed overseas. Some guys on the squadron introduced me to a strange format for making music portable. MiniDisc. I soon got to learn that those tough little discs survived the rough-and-tumble of life in a kit-bag. We each bought portable players, and would ‘pool’ our discs together to make little music libraries, would trade discs with one another, and would copy CD’s for one another back home. No matter where we were in the world, AA batteries were easy to obtain, and just a handful of batteries would literally last weeks. It was a pocket-sized bit of luxury that we could carry with us, and I loved it. ......then, along came MP3 players and the ubiquitous ‘iPod’. Suddenly we could carry all of our music in a small space, and it seemed that the MiniDisc was dead. Within about 3 years everyone I knew had ditched the format and were literally giving away their discs and players, as were oil-rig workers, fishermen, and other locals who worked away from home for extended periods. I too, confined my MiniDisc collection to a box in the loft, and bought an iPod Classic. Fast-forward to 2005, and I deployed for a 4-month tour to Iraq. My iPod came with me, and I had the small luxury of my music collection to fall back on, OR SO I THOUGHT. By the second week I had the sickening ‘Sync Reset’ display (which of course was impossible without my PC) and in one fell swoop I lost my music. Other guys had problems with the portable power-generators cooking their wall-plug chargers, and soon quite a few of us had lost the use of our players, just when we would have appreciated them the most! Back home, and I was quickly falling out of love with my iPod. It seemed that whenever I updated my collection there would be issues with mixed/missing title-tracks and artwork. Any albums entitled ‘Greatest Hits’ would become an amalgamated mess, and whilst the battery-life seemed to get ever shorter, the demands for a ‘sync reset’ increased. The love was fading. I noticed something else, too. My listening habits were changing. My seemingly endless access to music made me a lazy listener, and I would frequently jump from album to album, track to track, and would often skip mid-way through a track. My days of listening to an album the way that the artist intended, had gone. This wasn’t music enjoyment. ....and so, by 2008 I was back to my MiniDisc, and what I revival it was! Equipment that had previously been prohibitively expensive was now dirt-cheap, and I was living the hobby like a millionaire! I soon had units for every occasion with Sony JA20ES and JA50ES decks for hifi use, numerous portable players, and a Pioneer MEH P9000 head-unit for the car. I could afford to be extravagant with discs, and my well used dozen or so swelled up to over 1,000. That was 10 years ago, and nothing much since then has changed. I still indulge in the childhood enjoyment of putting a ‘mixtape’ together in real-time, copying music from my CD’s and vinyl to Type-R SP to listen to in the car, or out walking the dog. Because space is at a premium my playlists are more carefully considered, and I listen to each track in full. My listening-habits are back to where they should be. In 20 years I can count on one hand the number of corrupted discs I’ve suffered, only ever having to re-copy one album. I keep discs and a spare player at work, in the summerhouse and in the car, and I have a physical, tangible connection with my music collection again. MiniDisc as a commercial format is dead, and I’m OK with that. It continues to live on in my household, and probably will do for years to come, maybe even for another decade or more. I continue to love the ‘forgotten format’, and those robust little discs give me everything I need.

Hi Folks, Long time no post, busy with child rearing. :-) I do stop by to read up on new posts and topics. I ran across this video on YouTube yesterday, sorry to post if everyone has already seen it but it was good to see and I wanted to share with all. Cheers!

It is currently admitted that the MZ-RH1 has the best DAC, ergo the best sound. I prefer however the sound of QS and ES Sony decks.

Hi all! So I've started a little project for myself. Minidisc never really caught on too well in canada so I won't be stmbling on any racks at the thrift shop anytime soon. I've been looking for storage solutions, haven't been a big fan of the wine box idea, generally I haven't seen anything that really caught my eye. For some reason it never dawned on me in the last year to 3D print some racks... I'm not sure why, I've been 3D printing everything else for years.... So I designed these up yesterday with some spare time. They're very rough still and very utilitarian. The larger one holds 10 discs and is meant to stack vertically (and has holes for nesting feet, and holes for screws). The smaller one to the right I haven't tested yet but I am thinking of a wall unit that makes the discs look like they are floating out of the wall. Edit wise I'm going to shrink the width by 2mm and perhaps put the discs at a slight downard angle rather than 90 degree so that if they were on an uneven surface, they'd still stay in the rack. What do you guys think? Feel free to toss any ideas my way! (also, for curiosity sake, the larger one took 8 hours to print! 3d printing is pretty cool but it's still a very slow process.) (The render) and printed

I got the drivers installed on my computer. I recommend watching this youtube video thats how i did it.

In case anyone is interested... I´ve written a review of the Sony MZ-R 50. http://marlene-d.blogspot.de/2013/07/the-legendary-sony-mz-r-50-review.html

I just wanted to say that it is nice to have some new members who are clearly MD lovers around to join in on the discussion and add new thoughts, ideas and opinions. Welcome all. :-)

Buy LIP-4 battery. First open all the cover of LIP-4. then you can small PCB. just remove the PCB using soldering iron or else. Do the same things with LIP-3 batteries. take the small PCB from LIP-3 and put to LIP-4 battery cell use soldering iron. Then cover you new battery, make sure it won't have electronics shortcuts. You'll have a new long lasting battery. It works on my MZ-N10.

I have a Sony MDS-JE780 for sale. It is silver and in mint condition as it has been hardly used. It is based in Wolverhampton so can be collected, or can be posted at additional cost. (I estimate about £7 with recorded delivery) £80 ono. Spec taken from the Sony website: Hybrid Pulse D/A Converter ATRAC DSP Type-S Long Time Recording and Playback (LP2, LP4) Pitch Control Scale Factor Edit NetMD Control A1 Keyboard Terminal 1 x Optical & 1 x Coaxial Input & 1 x Optical Output Available inblack and silverSee the link for more info.... http://www.sony.co.u...=TechnicalSpecs

MiniDisc is not useless; it's obsolete. There is a key difference. Nothing as multifaceted as a MiniDisc recorder can be said to be useless. That said, I think that even if Sony had marketed MiniDisc successfully, it would be obsolescent today because its competitors are more feature-rich. I have difficulty following some of the logic in this thread. MiniDisc and MP3 players both have shuffle functions. It's up to the user whether or not to use them, and absolutely nothing about an MP3 player compels one to do so. It SHOULD go without saying that either is just as capable of playing entire albums chronologically. You're arguing against your perceptions of MP3 users' supposed preferences, which are likely exaggerated and unfounded. The issue was the native functionality of the devices and which better suited the questioner. I still have my MiniDisc players, though I almost exclusively use my MP3 player (and never on shuffle). I may be returning to reporting soon and thus would use my MiniDisc to record, even though my MP3 player has a voice recorder. I also take out MiniDisc sometimes just for nostalgia. Whereas many of you are exalting album listening, I actually got into MiniDisc because it facilitated playlists, but now MP3 players do this better because the track need not be re-uploaded to form the playlist. Album listening has its advantages and purposes, but playlists demonstrate the user's creativity and make for great time travel. In my moments of nostalgia, I can call up playlists of the songs that defined eras I miss. It's a beautiful thing. One of you said you found MP3 players useless because they could not do all the things a MiniDisc player could. That depends on the MP3 player. (Further, it's a bogus statement because any mass storage device that plays music clearly has a twofold desirable purpose.) I actually can edit titles and move files on the go, but let's be honest: It is rare that such an act is of such pressing import that it can't wait until one gets home. My MP3 player is an Archos 5, which, like many MP3 players, has great sound quality, radio, a 250-gigabyte hard drive, a voice recorder, Wi-FI, Web radio and TV, DVR, picture display, and video. Useless because it's an MP3 player? Oh, brother. Much of this stems from your zeal to vindicate the MiniDisc, which I love. Another example is the citation of an intangible such as "cool factor," which lies in the eye of the beholder. Consider that being in the in-crowd like an Apple user can be said to be cool. Also, cool as in different just means anything opposed to the leading product, and that doesn't necessarily mean a MiniDisc. A lesser-known MP3 player can turn heads, but turning heads is not where the joy in product use lies. It is also flawed logic to assert that one likes MiniDisc because one prefers to carry around just a few albums. One can choose to listen to just a few on an MP3 player, first of all. The mere presence of all the other tracks you have neatly stored on the hard drive will not weigh heavily on the mind. Second, both MP3 players and MiniDiscs are mass storage devices. That's like one compulsive overeater defaming another because the other is even worse. That does not make you the icon of restraint; rather, you prefer a lesser example of excess. I do believe there still are real advantages to MiniDisc that relate to its native functionality. It's durable, sounds great, and records. It edges out MP3 in battery life, line-in recording, and usually voice recording. Actually, recording is where its greatest strength is now. Another strength is that different models are tailored to different uses; some have radio, some record and others have a digital amplifier, for instance. I love that my MP3 player works with Windows Media Player, which keeps track of the tracks you have and have not added to the device. Syncing automatically adds the new tracks. If I went back to MinDisc, I'd have to guess where I left off as I tried to upload all the music I have purchased since then to MiniDiscs. Also, I don't have to be bothered with SonicStage or ATRAC anymore, and I am glad. I don't have a second-generation Hi-MD player, so I can't put MP3s on them.

I have an N510 and a DN430. Both sound really good. I also have some S1's which, I know, are type R. They both sound excellent to me. I figured I'd take the (possible) slight noise quality hit and lack of remote for bombproof (especially in Orygun) performance of the S1. I can say those DN430's sound just fine. I think you can find that model with a radio too

🤣Took me a few minutes to work out what you were talking about. I think "Proficient" is already pushing it a bit as far as I am concerned 😂

🤣 It's always a bit embarrassing when I see @Richard's professional shots compared to my feeble "taken on my desk with a phone in bad light" efforts.

Hi Folks, my first post here, to share my quantitative collection. Cheers!!

And they arrived from Japan this morning. Time to get recording 🙂

Spot on.

Hi Christopher. I think I've worked out the issue with me being able to reply to threads. It's just threads in the Announcements and News sub-forums I cannot reply to and I suspect that might be by design rather than any sort of fault. I seem to have lost the ability to "like" any posts made by moderators/administrators but the option is still there for posts by normal members. Like the new look and many thanks for keeping this place running!

Sounds like the sled cannot find the right positon for reading the TOC. Might be a dental problem :-) . (direct link) (another one here)

Me too!! and I like Italian coffee too! Thanks for your answers, Stefano. Greetings to you in Italy, we are watching you closely from the UK to see what's coming next for us corona-wise... Your app is almost the best thing coming out of Covid-19 for me! (no, that would be a little sad! I live in the countryside and the air quality and peace-and-quiet quotient has gone up massively - birdsong is my only soundtrack now - and I am still just about able to go out for long walks without meeting many people. I'd like to bottle that feeling - and maybe sell it to make some much-needed money!!). But your App is a Godsend. Several years back I made a special 'Leopard' drive for my Mac just so I could continue to use Sony's MD app for Mac - but then it just packed up and wouldn't work at all and Sony just abandoned MD users altogether, so this new possibility is great. It would be amazing if you could make it work for Hi-MD. I'd recommend finding an MZ-RH1 to play around with, although they're expensive (€200 and more) when you can find one on eBay or similar, but it's a fantastic little piece of kit. Just a shame that the OLEDs tend to die after a few years, which makes seeing what's going on difficult or impossible. I shall run some tests this afternoon.

Yes, it's very likely that you're missing the drivers. If you're on windows 10, just install the WinUSB driver using the installer here: https://zadig.akeo.ie/ . Then, close the browser and try again. It should work

stachu: thanks for the display off tip

Bought 3 of them in case I fucked it up. Worked first time! Charging now. Thanks very much!

Don't forget here : https://www.facebook.com/groups/minidiscgroup/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/1724662671086339/

I have 13 NOS HiMD blanks for sale. Five are in a box and eight are loose. While I have not been active here there are still 4 or 5 threads in the Feedback forum that attest to my good character. I am looking for $12 each for these discs plus shipping. If you are in the US I would sell the lot for $160 shipped. If you are overseas and want these I would need to find actual shipping cost. Payment preferred is Paypal Friends and Family. If these end up being sold one or two at a time please be advised that they are not eligible for Media Mail rate as they are blank. Pm with any questions. Thanks.

Well, this is all a bit embarrassing. Yesterday our youngest son logged on to the windows 7 lap top remotely. One of the first things he tried was to run the unpacked set-up file in ss/English as administrator. Sonicstage installed OK. Did the same thing on the Vista desktop and that worked OK. Am sure that this was tried a good while ago. Will now stop fiddling. However, all's well that ends well. Many thanks to inquisitor and kalkie for the many suggestions.

"On this forum, no one will pay eBay prices" So why is it that you 'advertise' your eBay listings on this forum?

Another "budget" player/recorder with AA battery( rechargeable or not), mic input, optical input, inbuilt rechargeing circuit is the Sharp MD-MT88/99 These are LP players not NETMD. They normally come with a small inline remote. I have had mine a very long time now, is rather worn but still works 100%. It has a very thick metal/alloy caseing, the likes of which you dont see today. A good clear display - better than the silly littje recessed displays in many Sony mds. It doesnt have tone controls. Other than that, if you can find a nice example you have a friend for life. I think these are one of the best made portables around.

That sounds like a great plan. Also, you mentioned having a friend or acquaintance who may have a unit you could purchase. I would personally always feel more comfortable buying something of such high value from a trusted and known source. :-)

Well, it certainly sounds like you have the setup to make a good comparison, I know my 20ES makes the best SP recordings I am personally able to create. I have read good things about that particular Denon deck as well. Like punkrockaddict, I'll have to get out a nice SP disk and make a comparison as well, unfortunately, also like punkrockaddict, my ears are almost 50 years old, I am certain my tinnitus could be measure in dB it is so loud! The N1 was one of my first Type-R machines which I bought in maybe 2001 or 2002, it was also my first MDLP and NetMD unit, at the time I was doing a lot of bicycling and if I recall, I used it to rip and playback a lot of LP2. At the time I had no deck to make good quality SP recordings. Just for fun, I'll get these out tonight and do some listening.

I´ll try: he didn´t buy the most expensive MDs. What that means I have no idea. Maybe he wasn´t interested that much in haptic quality. Or he simply didn´t care. He´s an orderly person, titling his MDs. The music he likes... well, he does have taste. Blur, Ella Fitzgerald, Daft Punk and Faithless. Clubmusic, jazz, alternative rock. On occasion he experiments with different styles like Dido or Elvis Costello... or Boyzone (!). There´s also an MD especially made for cooking. Either for a girlfriend or for himself... Some MDs are not titled by him but by another person, judging from differing styles of writing on several MDs. Which could mean that he convinced someone else to invest into MD or that he was convinced. I cannot see very much I´m afraid, except stating the obvious.

Not expensive for a pro MD blank but why paying that much for a MD blank if it is not a beauty like a TDK Bitclub or Wa disc ? Hi-MD blank discs : eBay is the best way to find them.

I agree with Soundbox, I love MD, I love the form factor and I love the sound. I have only ever strayed with a couple of Sony HD based units which used ATRAC any way, same awesome sound. In the past few years I have used mainly SP recorded via optical in real-time. I have an iPhone (my third in four to five years) and I would not waste my time copying music to is because it sounds like crap compared to any SP recorded (or Hi-SP for that matter) content. I do long for the days of the ease of a VCR ... I have a DVR and the OP is right, the ability to be mobile with the recording is not the same. A few years ago, I bought a DVD recorder made by Sony, it records in the same way as a VCR does but uses DVD-R media, it works OK, but it is limited to standard definition (480i in US) and does not really look very good, well, it looks almost as good as a decent SVHS VCR, but it would be nice to have a usable format for easily recording broadcast HD content. I have been experimenting with PC based DVR software and NAS storage on high speed network in the home ... Not optimal yet, but it will come around. Oh yeah, and unless I setup streaming to external networks, I can't really take it to my friends house to watch.

Hi all; I have decided to test some md for their LP2 (MDLP) playing ability. LP2 is a widely accepted format and plays on all units made after about year 2000. It has a comparable bit rate to many digital broadcast sources that advertise as “near CD quality”. So there is interest in listening to different portable units’ ability to sound good playing this format. I have a large collection, of which this is a (hopefully) representative selection. The list is (ordered as in the picture): First row: Sony mz-n505 year 2002 Sony mz-e10 year 2002 Sony mz rh710 year 2005 Sony mz-rh10 year 2005 Second row: Sony mz-n910 year 2003 Panasonic sj-mr230 year 2002 Sharp md-ds70 year 2003 Sharp im-dr80 year 2003 Not pictured: Sony mz-rh1 year 2006 I recorded a MD TDK “ M” 80 min with rh1 in LP2 mode. So we do not depend on the recording ability of different units. Some tracks of classical music are sent to me already encoded as LP2 by sfbp, mostly by direct recording of digital sources through optical input to a Sony full-size MDLP deck: Those tracks were then uploaded, emailed, and downloaded. This means that the bit pattern (once recording is made) is transferred to the disk exactly. Berlioz – Roman Carnival Overture Mozart – Piano Sonata in C. K.545 Bach – Christmas Oratorio Part 1 Stanford – Magnificat in C Bach – Wachet Auf Organ Prelude BWV.645 Scriabin – Piano Conc No.1 in F# 1st movement Some are recorded by my CD collection, using Sony’s Simple Burner: Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade Oregon – Beyond Words – Chesky Records Brad Mehldau – Songs – Warner Bros Arne Domnerus – Antiphone Blues – Propius Richard Galliano – New York Tango – Dreyfus Steve Grossmann – Michel Petrucciani – Dreyfus Autunmn in Seattle – Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - FIM Ella Fitgerald and Louis Armstrong - Verve Some tracks of Mina My choice of kind of music isn’t accidental. It is not about judgement, to say one genre is better than another. However in Classical and Jazz music, you can easily hear a solo musical instrument – this is a good test for our comparison purpose. I have also included some wonderful singing. In my philosophy: 1. the sound of a machine must be well-sounding with no equalization applied to the output circuits by the user.2. The sound must not be fatiguing to the ears. Fulfilling these conditions means that the design of these circuits has been excellent. Corrections of various types can allow a sound improvement under certain conditions. I seek to control the tone, the sound image, overall the sense of good sound. But not for today! The less electronic items are interposed in the signal path, the cleaner the sound. So I tested these portable MD units without remote, connected directly to a AKG K340 headphones. This also means we eliminated any variations in the remote, although sfbp assures me that the signal path for these remotes to the ‘phones is a pass-through. The Sony MZ-E10 needs to be connected by remote, we have no choice there. As reference for the quality of the recordings I used my sound system: CD Player Naim CDX 2 <a href="http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-product-type/563">http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-product-type/563 Pre-amp Klimo Merlino http://www.klimo.com...ent/merlino.htm Audiophile tube amp Klimo Kent http://www.klimo.com/content/kent.htm Loudspeaker Tannoy Turnberry SE I cannot compare directly the portable mds with a hifi amplifier with cost 100 times more and have a weight 1000 times more; this is from a different planet; but hearing the CD samples on my HiFi reminds me what the full sound of a given piece is supposed to be. Unfortunately I cannot reproduce the samples from sfbp through this amp reliably, as I do not have an MDLP deck with optical out – nor do I have an optical input to my amplifier. He says they’re good. Results: My overall impressions are coloured by my expectations, of course. I was unable to do a blind test where I did not know which portable was being played. I expected there to be an improvement in sound as this technology evolved over several years; and to me it is clearly audible. I also expected the more expensive units to perform better; they did. PART 1 - Classical First I listened to classical music SONY (by order of year of manufacture) MZ-N505 The sound is flat, muddy, slightly acidic. Hard to differentiate orchestral colours, especially in full orchestra. Acute piano, violin too acute. Entry-level machine aimed, in my opinion, to people with few financial resources and few requests. Significantly better with MegaBass 1, but for this test we are ignoring that. This is the only Sony unit we tried that is Type-R, all others (below) are Type-S. MZ-N910 The sound set is good but not very precise. Solos are beautiful, piano, violin and also vocal. Good stereo separation. This unit uses the same optical head as the later HiMD units. MZ-E10 (using the unit’s remote!) Sound very crisp, good tonal balance. Full orchestra well balanced. Piano very "alive"; violin solos beautiful. However the sound is very airy and neutral with a feeling of "coldness". The remainder of the Sony units were HiMD. However it has been commented that the HiMD units reproduce MDLP better than MDLP units (since the technology continued to evolve) – hence their inclusion. All HiMD units include Type-S. MZ-RH10 Clear sound with accurate tonal range. Voice well reproduced. Full orchestral balance is excellent. Good piano, very nice violin. Powerful bass without thumping. Stereo image very good. This is a second-generation HiMD unit. I did not test the first generation (NH7/8/900) yet. MZ-RH710 Good overall, no problem with the full orchestra. Clear and well balanced. Excellent vocals, piano and violin both beautiful. The tonal range seems better than the RH10. Overall the sound is interesting and most engaging. Addictive, the ear desires more. This unit has not been sold in North America. A pity. MZ-RH 1 (same as MZ-M200) I cannot define the RH1 on the same level as the other devices. Suddenly I lose any feeling that I am listening to a "compressed" sound. This is IT. This technology has evolved so well. Where is Sony continuing its evolution? . SHARP MD-DS70** Well balanced sound, full orchestra is a little short on bass register. Instruments well differentiated. Piano, well defined, but a little opaque. Violin good. Vocals beautiful. IM-DR80** Overall the sound is identical to the DS 70. Some evolution – I noticed more spatial separation and better reproduction of the violin. As well, using the headphones 4-pole Sharp, sound is considerably better, near the best tested. So there is a problem eliminating other influences for purposes of these comparisons. PANASONIC SJ-MR230 Sound muddy, narrow tonal range down. Piano opaque little violin and voice. Has trouble with balance of full orchestra. Not a particularly desirable experience. (comment from sfbp, who is editing this: even the N505 sounds better than most Ipods. How much of that is the ATRAC codec vs MP3 is unclear, although recent Sony MP3-capable units such as PCM-M10 are very good. Earlier MP3-capable units such as RH10 are less good, but we are not trying to test MP3 today). Part 2: Jazz Music SONY MZ-N505 Slight improvement on classical music The sound still sound muddy. Lack of spatiality. Piano weak. Accordion acid Organ clear Saxophone clear MZ-N910 Full sound, even if the "cold" Instruments are not perfectly reproduced. Fair playback treble and bass. Good dynamic. Good sound stage. Accordion slightly annoying. Organ clear Saxophone clear. MZ-E10 * Excellent sound overall. Slight lack of definition of the instruments. Good dynamic. Excellent sound stage. Accordion excellent Organ clear Saxophone good. * Note: Sony mz-e10 must be connected by remote MZ-RH710 Beautiful sound. Very good definition of instruments. Slight lack of bass. Great feeling of space. Good dynamic. Sound stage "alive". Accordion excellent Organ good. Saxophone good. MZ-RH10 Good overall sound setting; looks beautiful Very good definition of instruments. Great feeling of space and dynamics Sound stage well defined. Accordion excellent Organ good. Saxophone good. MZ-RH 1 We can define a reference point. The only problem: I have the European version and the volume is too low. SHARP MD-DS 70** Good general approach of the sound, nice, better than classical music on this unit. Good definition of instruments. Great feeling of space and dynamics Sound stage slightly muffled. Accordion well. Organ acceptable. Saxophone good. IM-DR 80** Good general approach of the sound, comparable to the DS 70 Good definition of instruments. Great feeling of space and dynamics Good sound stage. Accordion well. Organ good. Saxophone good. ** Note: A clarification, using the headphones 4-pole Sharp (special design), sound is considerably better, near the best tested. PANASONIC SJ-MR230 Sound mixed, smooth, with little dynamics and low bass response. Sound stage not focused. Accordion poor. Organ unclear. Saxophone acceptable. GENERAL COMMENTS Voice Voice reproduction levels any difference between devices. In the N505 during the duets the voice appears mixed. In the MR230, the vocals seem "flat" without character. In the N910 voices are not perfectly clear. In E10 voice is somewhat "incomplete". RH 10, RH 710, DS70, DR80 the voice is good, listenable, with no obvious deficiencies. The RH1 is still “IT”. Conclusions To end the test I listened my wife's iPod touch. I hear sounds, not music. It is flat, soulless. The two channels are different, but as if I hear two different songs. Having to give a score to various devices: 4.0 Ipod 6.0 MZ-N505 6.5 SJ-MR230 6.5 MZ-N910 8.5 MZ-E10 MD-DS70 IM-DR80 9.5 MZ-RH10 10.0 MZ-RH710 MZ-RH1 As expected, you can follow an improvement in sound over the passing years as the technology improves. Obviously the original selling price may affect the characteristics, as high end models will tend to have better components. Using headphones, 4-pole Sharp, the vote of rises 1 / 2 - 1 point by placing them among the best. RH1 is wonderful, recommended for those who want a sound "monitor"; always impeccable. RH710 is not as clean but "feel" sound in my opinion the best, most engaging. RH10 has a sound very similar to RH1, although not so well calibrated. The two models of SHARP have a sound "sparkling, cheerful" that does not tire of hearing, certainly there are fans of this sound. Sergio (with some help from Stephen)

Phil, I'm convinced if Sony thought all MD'ers were like you we would see Sony Hi-MD decks in every store tomorrow! In other words, your love of the format is proof of sucess!

Wait.... you want to put the receiver before the TV, correct? Then all you need is HDMI from the box to the receiver (and of course HDMI from receiver to TV) Sadly I will confess that I rarely use HDMI even though I have it for all relevant devices. The PQ with Component Video beats it by a Scotch mile. So if 'twas me, would need two sets of component video and a nice high quality coax cable. Coax is supposed to be better than TOSlink but I seriously doubt that you will notice a difference. As to receiving the TV into the receiver just get some audio cables and loop them back to a different input of the receiver. Probably not digital unless your TV has digital out. In this case you'll need one more digi cable for that direction.

Reading your post is a treat! For one, in a way you've answered your own question. 1) You're appreciating how good it sounds 2) You have the desire to have "rekindled" enthusiasm... why? Because you recognize what a cool format MD really is... it was just poorly marketed and overlooked. 3) You recognize the durability and reliability of these devices. Now, if I may still add a few thoughts of my own. For one, I've heard that the Cowon players offer great sound quality, and anything that's non-iPod gets kudos from me But minidisc simply offers something no other units really offer these days. Let's first look at what mp3 players and the like offer: 1) huge capacity 2) relatively decent sound (they're slowly improving) 3) recording capability (becoming more common) 4) availability - extremely high... you can get one from the grocery store 5) bling - let's face it, video playback, phones, GPS, etc... all in your music player Ok... what does minidisc offer COOL FACTOR. Is that it?? Well until just a few years ago, we could say it has the best sound, it records, etc., but that gap is (oooo I forgot 'gapless', but that just got fixed not long ago too for mp3 players) smaller each passing day. And I'm not even mentioning battery life because nowadays, unless you are on an island, you can have a unit charging anywhere (car, portable battery pack, the office, etc.)... yes, MD has much better battery life, mostly because there is not large illuminated screen sucking juice, but still not really important in today's rechargable world, in my opinion. So what is this cool factor? Let's face it... a small, literally COMPACT disc that is in a PROTECTED plastic shell that can't get scratched, that is REWRITABLE, and INCREDIBLE sound quality and still looks futuristic, retro-punk cool is just downright awesome. This isn't for Generation Y much and certainly not Z, but if you grew up in a time when even burning your own CD-R was exciting, then you can understand part of the thought process behind why minidiscs are so amazing. But even that aside, you might also know how to appreciate ALBUM listening. I hate shuffle-play or being overwelmed by 10,000,000 songs to choose from. I love to grab a couple MDs and go, which with LP2 still gives me like 6 or more albums to choose from. Less is more as far as I'm concerned. Minidisc is DIFFERENT. It is rare now, and for the most part you can only get units now via Ebay... so the HUNT is part of the fun! Show it off to friends, see their reaction. You'll get the "why not iPod?" reaction, but you'll also first get the "wow, what's THAT?" reaction too. One more thought on sound quality. I bought an iPod a while back and tried ripping music to it in "lossless" wav format and it still sounded like complete crap to me. But that's because I like the SOUND SIGNATURE of ATRAC and the Sony units and their built in amps/eq's etc... so you have to see what your ears prefer. I also love making minidisc LABELS and ARTWORK, just like the days of making tape compilations, or CD-Rs with face label printing... check out the threads for MD label art both in this forum and the Audio T-Board. Anyway, plunge into these threads, look around and have fun... and take PICS of your unit! We love that. Welcome to the family. As we are small, and unique, its what draws us closer together