BIGHMW

I, TOO am in the music business as evident with my CD you see as the avatar, but I see your point there, I have a slightly damaged hearing setup, being both onstage and in front of the stage (and occasionally in the mosh pit) I know where you are coming from. I will address this issue with my doctor soon, as I do admit for the 13 years I have been in this business (see my official website for more details including my discography both in the metal/thrash and rap genres) that I never have used earplugs (like Hearos, etc.) and I think you have a pretty good point there dude.

Here it is, folks, as promised, my ATRAC Life/MDCF-exclusive review of Sony’s new MDR-NC22 noise canceling headphones, and here it is: OVERVIEW: I bought these on eBay as an alterative to my somewhat bulky MDR-NC6 headphones as well as replace my MDR-EX71SL and EX81SL earphones, which are notoriously low in volume when compared to other units. I bought them through a seller on eBay on Monday March 26th and the came in on Thursday of that week, the package looked great, and includes the customary (as with all N.U.D.E EX Series phones) three sized silicon earbuds, a (throw away) “AAA” battery, airline plug adapter, and a nice black felt carrying case, as well as all the paperwork. My first impression, after having read the specs on them off of SonyStyle was that they looked better built than their predecessors, the NC11/11A units, and that the battery box was smaller by about 39% over that on the NC11’s, I measured it against my RM-MC40ELK remote, which is part of my preferred audio setup, along with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman, and when they were both put alongside each other, the battery box is actually a bit smaller then my remote and that it came with a spring-loaded clip for use on your shirt collar or pocket (see pics below for front and back shots). ITEMS USED FOR TEST: Sony MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman > RM-MC40ELK Remote > MDR-NC22 Headphones with large-sized earbuds EQ SETTINGS: 100 Hz; +9 250 Hz: +9 630 Hz: +6 1.6 KHz: +6 4 KHz: +9 10 KHz: +9 This setup allows more volume output from my measly 5mW Hi-MD Walkman, of course, your unit, experience and EQ-type (Mega Bass, Graphic or Parametric-based) and settings may vary. MUSIC USED FOR TESTING: Various artists and genres on six Hi-MD Compilations ranging from Rap/HipHop to Pop/Smooth Jazz, and Metal and Classic Rock. THE SOUND TEST: In order to make this unit more remote-friendly, especially with the ridiculously-long 1.5-meter (59”)-long cord, I used a couple of rubber bands and twist ties to shorten the cord to that of a remote-friendly flavor (later on I will have a repair tech shorten the cords permanently to the desired length on each end, about half the length on each), put the now-traditional “neck-chain”-style cord that most IEM’s and earbuds now have around my head, and plugged it into the remote. I like to use the remote for group/artist/track manipulation a lot, so bare with me, as I go over the reviews on certain tracks, although your picks may vary. On Ice Cube “Check Yo’ Self (The Message Remix), I noticed that the bass was tight, though not over-powering (as noticeable by the absence of the deep, overpowering “subwoofer”-like effect on it, but overall on rap/hip-hop it wasn’t bad., on techno, it sounded great, again not as much bass as my NC6 cans, but you really can’t compare its 38mm drivers to the 13.5mm units on these, so the limitations do exist because of these aesthetics. Next, Industrial, and Nine Inch Nails and Orgy, overall I thought that they sounded great, highs were high (as always with N.U.D.E EX units), lows were low and on these as opposed to the older EX series, the midrange was actually present, and not recessed or filtered out like it was on older units. Next, Metal and Thrash, and one of the best thrash bands in the business, Slayer, and their 2001 hit, “Bloodline”, It sounded just as good on these as it did on the NC6’s, if not better, as Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman’s razor sharp guitar work sounded as sharp as ever, as its edgy Marshall 4x12 stack-driven tone (which is typical of most metal/thrash) came through with such detailed definition, the same can be said with Type O Negative and their 10-minute + mini-epic “Black No.1”, again simply outstanding on it, and since these are all post-2000 masters (remastered to “digital +0 dB to +3 dB on a VU meter), they all required me to turn my unit down from my desired 20/30 to 15/30 on the volume scale, the same as I had to once do on my old classic MDR-A34 headphones. Now Pop and Smooth Jazz, the response on them was great overall although on some quieter (usually older masters or quieter music) passages on some tracks it made me turn that volume back up to 20/30 in order to accommodate the lack of output from my unit, compare today’s units to those from even 15 let alone 20 years ago, …and I DID! On my vintage 1991 (pre-1996 EU volume cap/pre-AVLS) WM-B47 cassette Walkman, with both high and low tones set at the maximum on the Mega Bass setting, and cranking up old tapes of Great White and Dio, it REALLY performed on it, even at ½ volume output and the bass and treble were rich and more present on them. Now, back to the Hi-MD, and Classic Rock, and on Blue Oyster Cult’s smash 1981 track, “Burnin’ For You”, it performed well, as also with Led Zeppelin’s “Living Loving Maid”, and also a super-compilation of Rainbow, and also on a few other tracks from other bands as well, especially on Emerson Lake & Palmer 20-minute + multi-part epic “Tarkus”, again not overpowering bass, but definitely better than on the older EX units., and unlike my MDR-NC6 cans, the bass doesn’t “drown out” other frequencies across the spectrum. These IEM’s actually have BOTH bass AND presence, and also more importantly, definition, revealing material on my Hi-MD’s that my NC6’s were missing completely. It doesn’t take the brains of a bikini model with a bachelor’s degree in business like my former high school classmate, the great Cindy Margolis to figure that out. NOISE CANCELING: It did astonishingly well, especially compared to my MDR-NC6 units, in which to simulate noise-isolation like other over-the-head phones, I had to rig a pair of earpads from a spare pair of MDR-V300 units, and all that did was hamper the noise-canceling performance of my NC6 cans, in fact, it seemed to make the outside noise, like the refrigerator or air conditioner, a bit transparent or even a bit louder when compared to the NC22’s which canceled it out greatly. When it comes to the noise canceling ability of the NC22’s, I prefer them over the NC6’s. That along the fact that the 22 units sound better than the 6’s do, makes me want to switch to them in my regular lineup, I only wish that Sony would have thought of maybe using a shorter (less length) cord on BOTH ends of the battery box, which looks great alongside my RM-MC40ELK remote, as well as include both an extension cord and a ¼” plug adapter, those would have been nice to allow those with remote control personal units to use a shorter length with the option of using a longer piece either for home hi-fi or other units at will. I just wondered what any of you, especially our Japanese users, who were the first to get a hold of these think of my review, your input would greatly help.

Here it is, folks, as promised, my ATRAC Life/MDCF-exclusive review of Sony’s new MDR-NC22 noise canceling headphones, and here it is: OVERVIEW: I bought these on eBay as an alterative to my somewhat bulky MDR-NC6 headphones as well as replace my MDR-EX71SL and EX81SL earphones, which are notoriously low in volume when compared to other units. I bought them through a seller on eBay on Monday March 26th and the came in on Thursday of that week, the package looked great, and includes the customary (as with all N.U.D.E EX Series phones) three sized silicon earbuds, a (throw away) “AAA” battery, airline plug adapter, and a nice black felt carrying case, as well as all the paperwork. My first impression, after having read the specs on them off of SonyStyle was that they looked better built than their predecessors, the NC11/11A units, and that the battery box was smaller by about 39% over that on the NC11’s, I measured it against my RM-MC40ELK remote, which is part of my preferred audio setup, along with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman, and when they were both put alongside each other, the battery box is actually a bit smaller then my remote and that it came with a spring-loaded clip for use on your shirt collar or pocket (see pics below for front and back shots). ITEMS USED FOR TEST: Sony MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman > RM-MC40ELK Remote > MDR-NC22 Headphones with large-sized earbuds EQ SETTINGS: 100 Hz; +9 250 Hz: +9 630 Hz: +6 1.6 KHz: +6 4 KHz: +9 10 KHz: +9 This setup allows more volume output from my measly 5mW Hi-MD Walkman, of course, your unit, experience and EQ-type (Mega Bass, Graphic or Parametric-based) and settings may vary. MUSIC USED FOR TESTING: Various artists and genres on six Hi-MD Compilations ranging from Rap/HipHop to Pop/Smooth Jazz, and Metal and Classic Rock. THE SOUND TEST: In order to make this unit more remote-friendly, especially with the ridiculously-long 1.5-meter (59”)-long cord, I used a couple of rubber bands and twist ties to shorten the cord to that of a remote-friendly flavor (later on I will have a repair tech shorten the cords permanently to the desired length on each end, about half the length on each), put the now-traditional “neck-chain”-style cord that most IEM’s and earbuds now have around my head, and plugged it into the remote. I like to use the remote for group/artist/track manipulation a lot, so bare with me, as I go over the reviews on certain tracks, although your picks may vary. On Ice Cube “Check Yo’ Self (The Message Remix), I noticed that the bass was tight, though not over-powering (as noticeable by the absence of the deep, overpowering “subwoofer”-like effect on it, but overall on rap/hip-hop it wasn’t bad., on techno, it sounded great, again not as much bass as my NC6 cans, but you really can’t compare its 38mm drivers to the 13.5mm units on these, so the limitations do exist because of these aesthetics. Next, Industrial, and Nine Inch Nails and Orgy, overall I thought that they sounded great, highs were high (as always with N.U.D.E EX units), lows were low and on these as opposed to the older EX series, the midrange was actually present, and not recessed or filtered out like it was on older units. Next, Metal and Thrash, and one of the best thrash bands in the business, Slayer, and their 2001 hit, “Bloodline”, It sounded just as good on these as it did on the NC6’s, if not better, as Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman’s razor sharp guitar work sounded as sharp as ever, as its edgy Marshall 4x12 stack-driven tone (which is typical of most metal/thrash) came through with such detailed definition, the same can be said with Type O Negative and their 10-minute + mini-epic “Black No.1”, again simply outstanding on it, and since these are all post-2000 masters (remastered to “digital +0 dB to +3 dB on a VU meter), they all required me to turn my unit down from my desired 20/30 to 15/30 on the volume scale, the same as I had to once do on my old classic MDR-A34 headphones. Now Pop and Smooth Jazz, the response on them was great overall although on some quieter (usually older masters or quieter music) passages on some tracks it made me turn that volume back up to 20/30 in order to accommodate the lack of output from my unit, compare today’s units to those from even 15 let alone 20 years ago, …and I DID! On my vintage 1991 (pre-1996 EU volume cap/pre-AVLS) WM-B47 cassette Walkman, with both high and low tones set at the maximum on the Mega Bass setting, and cranking up old tapes of Great White and Dio, it REALLY performed on it, even at ½ volume output and the bass and treble were rich and more present on them. Now, back to the Hi-MD, and Classic Rock, and on Blue Oyster Cult’s smash 1981 track, “Burnin’ For You”, it performed well, as also with Led Zeppelin’s “Living Loving Maid”, and also a super-compilation of Rainbow, and also on a few other tracks from other bands as well, especially on Emerson Lake & Palmer 20-minute + multi-part epic “Tarkus”, again not overpowering bass, but definitely better than on the older EX units., and unlike my MDR-NC6 cans, the bass doesn’t “drown out” other frequencies across the spectrum. These IEM’s actually have BOTH bass AND presence, and also more importantly, definition, revealing material on my Hi-MD’s that my NC6’s were missing completely. It doesn’t take the brains of a bikini model with a bachelor’s degree in business like my former high school classmate, the great Cindy Margolis to figure that out. NOISE CANCELING: It did astonishingly well, especially compared to my MDR-NC6 units, in which to simulate noise-isolation like other over-the-head phones, I had to rig a pair of earpads from a spare pair of MDR-V300 units, and all that did was hamper the noise-canceling performance of my NC6 cans, in fact, it seemed to make the outside noise, like the refrigerator or air conditioner, a bit transparent or even a bit louder when compared to the NC22’s which canceled it out greatly. When it comes to the noise canceling ability of the NC22’s, I prefer them over the NC6’s. That along the fact that the 22 units sound better than the 6’s do, makes me want to switch to them in my regular lineup, I only wish that Sony would have thought of maybe using a shorter (less length) cord on BOTH ends of the battery box, which looks great alongside my RM-MC40ELK remote, as well as include both an extension cord and a ¼” plug adapter, those would have been nice to allow those with remote control personal units to use a shorter length with the option of using a longer piece either for home hi-fi or other units at will. I just wondered what any of you, especially our Japanese users, who were the first to get a hold of these think of my review, your input would greatly help.

I bought these headphones and they are teriffic, depending of the music played, and the unit used and the EQ settings on it. I know it is an early review, as most of these N.U.D.E EX series (and all headphones in general) units benefit greatly from "burn-in", so I KNOW they will get better with use. I will be writing a review on them early next week, so stay tuned, and it will be "double-posted" on both ATRAC Life and the MDCF as well.

Hey, welcome to the Show. I as well as about 17,000 users of this board and also those on the MDCF would definitely want to see the Connects 2 Walkman adapter here in the States, as well as spare replacement cables, and also any and all firmware upgrades for the ones we currently own. I am sure MDX-400 and a few of us will voucher for me on it. I use one with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman in both my cars and it is a GREAT product, I highly recommend you start carrying them and perhaps selling them through eBay and online through your site. Thanks, Ray Jackson

It doesn't take the brains of a bkini model with a bachelor's degree in business (like my former high school classmate in L.A. in 1983-84, Cindy Margolis) to know that ever since Sony invented both the ATRAC compression system and the MiniDisc back in 1992 (and now Hi-MD) that Sony's SQ wins HANDS DOWN, although I have never owned an iPod (GOD AND THIS WEBSITE FORBID!!!) that I have never been one to go by hype, but rather through testing for the best sound quality, and I believe that the ATRAC compression system is better than MP3 ever could be, albeit the SonicStage software may not be to everyone's taste, but that is just MHO. You have to match up the right kind of pipes (or cans or buds) with the EQ and the music you intend to play on it, I have to admit some music sounds better on it in one EQ setting and one set of phones while another genre sounds good with different phones/EQ criteria It's all a matter of (just like in golf for the right shot to the hole) matching it all up and getting it all "dialed in" for the task at hand., IMHO.

I currently (until I test out the NC22 IEM's I just got on eBay) use them along with my MZ-NH700 and the RM-MC40ELK, a perfect setup for my personal use (see signature below, they are all silver and 2004 units), but having not known of the JE (Japan Edition) version having a standard 0.5m (remote-friendly) short cord and 1.0m extension, I had to buy one from here in the US (Global version (non-JE version) and desolder the 1.5m long cord and cut the cord off of a defective EX71SL to use on it so I can have a remote-friendly (homemade "JE"-style version) pair of NC6's. If you choose to get them (or the NC50's or the new NC60's), I highly recommend you get the JE version (lol getting them through Audio Cubes, as they stopped carrying them as of this writing. maybe one of our Japanese friends can help you out) because of the shorter cord, especially if you own a remote-controlled unit, rather than have to learn to use a soldering iron and DIY a cord off an EX71 like I did, IMHO.

What do you people think of the new MDR-NC22 noise canceling headphones? I am looking to sell off my MDR-NC6 cans in favor of something a bit more compact, however I am worried about a lack of decent volume output with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman or my D-NE700 ATRAC CD Walkman (both non-EU models, but still only 5 mW per channel) when compared to my NC6's (102 dB for the NC22's compared to 106 dB for the NC6 units), but the compact style (excluding the inappropriately-long 1.5 meter cord which is not so remote-friendly which will be swapped for a shorter 0.5m cord from a bad pair of EX71s when I get the NC22s), especially the clip-on battery box and my preferred color choice in black/silver which will go good with my similarly-color-schemed RM-MC40ELK remote is kind of enticing, but before I blow $85.00 US on them, are they worth it? I await any and all reviews.

I found a silver one on eBay so the blue unit is currently for sale on eBay. The item can be found here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...p;rd=1&rd=1

Perhaps someone can help me out with tis one, I have become (thanks to this fine website and its related forums) in a PSP, but was hesitant to get one, because they only came in black, which clashes with both my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD and D-NE700 ATRAC CD Walkman units, which are both in Silver. Then I read on this very site, that Sony had released a Silver version of it (Japan Edition), only to find out it will not work with Region 1 (US/Canada) UMD-based movies, and I wondered, before I blow about $300.00 on one only to be disappointed that it won't, if this is a simple firmware issue that can be rectified with just a change in (hack) firmware, or whether it is a hardware issue, and if it IS a hardware issue, will sony be releasing this color scheme here in The States with all Region 1 compatibility. Thanks, Ray Jackson

What I don't understand is why certain Sony units are not released here in the U.S. but are available elsewhere, as most of these units are better than the ones marketed here in The States. Examples include my current favorite Walkman units, both from 2004, and imported, my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman (imported from Canada) and my D-NE700 ATRAC CD Walkman (imported from Australia), which ae pretty damn good compared to the lesser-level units they choose to sell here in the U.S. The 700-series units feature conveniences like LCD-remote compatibility (like the 800 and above units) and run on internal "AA" or "AAA" (either disposible or rechargeable) betteries like the 600 and lesser units do, so I find a pretty damn good blend of both value and features with the 700 series as opposed to the others. Just like car companies have 3 or 4 levels of trim available in their vehicles on a worldwide basis, Sony USA should do that too, or, they will lose their share of the market to either Apple or Microsoft or iRiver (GOD FORBID!!!) or the other Sony Markets like Sony Japan, Sony Canada or Sony Australia Pty., as we will not be afraid to go global on eBay to get the stuff that they market (and buy them as imports) rather than the ones here. Sony should put on their thinking caps when it comes to their marketing of certain units in certain markets and just market every unit they currently make on a global basis rather then on a regional basis, as there are many good units available in some but not in others, and this is not right, IMHO.

Perhaps I can be of some assistance to you, dude. http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headpho..._Earphones.html They ship worldwide, and even take PayPal NOTE: The SL versions of N.U.D.E EX series units are usualy Japan-only (JE version) exclusives, so if you own a remote Walkman, like I do, get nothing but an SP or an SL, as they have the 0.5m cord, with optional 1.0m extension cord available on some (but work with all) models.

T I think we have a winner here, when it comes to the ATRAC Walkman compatibility issue with the GT81UW, so read up fellow anti-ipod enthusiasts out there as Sony has FINALLY answered us!!! http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9675618-1...g=blog#talkback

I saw the CDX-GT81UW on Crutchfield's website, and it has a USB input for external devices, will it work with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD (and other NetMD/Hi-MD and HDD-based Network) Walkman units and will it support ATRAC/ATRAC3plus files, as I am looking for something to upgrade from my old MDX-C5970 in my 1999 VW Beetle, and I intend to use it to power my Hi-MD unit through the car deck without having to tear out the dash and install both my Connects2 Walkman (ASONWHD001) adapter and an XA-C40 to use it along with my MDX-65 6-MiniDisc changer. It is not as easy to install it in a New Beetle, as opposed to my project fixer-upper 1963 VW Bus, which also uses an MDX-C5970, with a Connects2 in it, as it is easy to get to the dash and inner front area (a.k.a. the "crush zone" of an air-cooled VW), so this newer unit will be perfect for use with the Walkman. Keep me posted, guys, as far as Walkman compatibility on the new 2007 GT series of car decks with the USB.

Anybody still, even 10 years later after their first production, remember the old-school MDR-A34SP/L headphones (SP series was stock-supplied with older MiniDisc Walkmans such as the MZ-R50/55/70/90 series)??? I'll tell you, these babies can PUT OUT some serious bass, and a whopping 108dB in only a 16 ohm impedence with a 16mm driver!!! I just want to hear what some of you out there remember about them, as well as remind you if you want to get them that Sony STILL makes them even to this day. I have used MANY types of Sony stock series units, such as MDR-E808, 027, and even the "aftermarket" Sony pipes such as the Q66/67LW, and the notoriously-low-volume EX71/81 series, which cost me 40 bucks a piece, and I have always gone back to my A34s because they put out loud volume with less drive from my Walkman units (see left side of my posts for details on my units), and for in-line skating or cycling (due to Washington State laws requiring safety helmets whilst doing these activities), I actually prefer (even though the jury is kinda out on them since they are stock-supplied units with the NW-S200/203F/205F) the MDR-J011 clip-on pipes simply because they have a +4dB over the EX81 units (-J011 put out 104dB compared to EX81's miserable 100dB), and don't forget, today's Walkman units ONLY put out 5mW (1.5mW for Euro-capped units) as opposed to the ones from just 20 years ago. What are your best (and worst) moments on these legendary pipes that are still made to this day? I remember back in the day they all came from Japan, before Sony went cheap and started making headphones in China, if you ask me, NOTHING Sony makes today will EVER rival the performance and quality of these (and most other pre-2000 MDR-Series units) babies. What do YOU think?

Hey Steely, great job,. you sold those units FAST. I hope my direct link to your auctions on eBay helped out with sales of those 3 Connects2 units, PM me or let me know if I had anything to do with it. Thanks.

Hey, welcome to the club. I, too, am a first-year member of this forum, I own an MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman, and use one of the Connects2 units with my MDX-C5970 AM/FM/MD deck, and I did some research on the XA-300, and basically it is a multi-auxilliary RCA-input device, which is basically from line/phone outputs, and it just lets you (on a phone-level device) control the volume, as far as any other control (track switching, display, text, folders, etc.), it does not do that. You would need the Connects2 unit to do all that, it will work absolutely PERFECT for your NW-HD5 unit the same way it does my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD unit, through the remote/phones output, with COMPLETE control over everything (on the HU at that!!!) but the volume, that you have to set at 80% if you have a non-EU unit (not 100% because it will clip), because this beautiful unit even adds gain to your source for use on your car deck (ask MDX-400 on this board for more details). It is a MUST to go along with any sony HU especially if you own a Walkman like you and I do. I highly recommend this unit, and i am sure everyone here on this board will agree with that. Thanks. I hope I was of help.

Here is the direct link to SteeleUK's auction for those great Connects2 units he is selling on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...rchQ3aUSQQfviZ1 Better get 'em FAST!!! Hey, he even has 100% positive feedback AND he even takes PayPal!!! As for me, I already own a US MSC-01 and a couple of the newer ones like he is selling right here on this link, so in respect to my fellow ATRAC Life users I will recuse myself from this auction, but would also like to know if SteeleUK can get spare replacement cords for my current units in case one cord shorts out (or breaks over excessive usage) on me. Thanks and get 'em while they're HOT!!!

Here is the direct link to SteeleUK's auction for those great Connects2 units he is selling on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...mMakeTrack=true Better get 'em FAST!!! Hey, he even has 100% positive feedback AND takes PayPal As for me, I already own a US MSC-01 and a couple of the newer ones like he is selling right here on this link, so in respect to my fellow ATRAC Life users I will recuse myself from this auction, but would also like to know if SteeleUK can get spare replacement cords for my current units in case one cord shorts out (or breaks over excessive usage) on me. Thnaks and get 'em while they're HOT!!!

I, too have seen this unit (CDX-GT81UW), and I am thinking of upgrading to it in my 1999 VW New Beetle from an MDX-C5970, which will go in my project 1963 VW Bus, and I am seriously wondering its compatibility with my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD (and all other Hi-MD/NetMD and HDD-based units) Walkman, so I can use it in my Beetle and just use the MDX unit with a Connects 2 ASONWHD001 unit, which works GREAT with it once you tweek it right, in my Bus. If any of you have any info about NetMD/Hi-MD/HDD compatibility (specifically the 1st generation Hi-MD (MZ-NH1/600/700/F800/900 units, as they all have USB-compatbility a least with PC units, please PM me or e-mail me with the latest news, good or bad. Thanks.

That's cool, so even if I get a "Euro-capped" MZ-NH700 (even though MiniDisc Access has the Australian version available in very limited quantities in which I would prefer to get), I can get a hack for it??? Please publish this on wither this forum or on your sister minidisc board, and send out the link so others (especially our European users) who have this same issue can do it too. P.S.: Can the hack allow for more than 5 mW per channel (the North American/non-Euro versions have that limit), as that would be cool, as well as eliminate the need for an external inline headphone amp, and will allow me to use either higher-impedence (more than 16 ohms) or passive headphones as well as use a lesser level of volume and still hear it as loud as you would with the (old) 5 mW (or 1.5 mW for our European users) non-Euro limit, but, with less strain on both the battery and amp.

That is why I don't get (as I had one before and traded it in for a non-EU version) an EU D-NE700, despite the EU-exclusive optical output option, as the volume is a measly 1.5 + 1.5mw as opposed to 5 + 5mw for my Australian (and other non-EU) model unit. It's too bad that Sony does not offer a "hack" for the CD or MD (or Hi-MD) Walkman units the same way as they offer (this great board has opened our eyes to them) hacks for NW-series Walkman units. I wish they (Sony) would, but I doubt it.

Thanks, dude. I did however in my cleanup of one of the units (the silver one, that I got on eBay UK) take off all the ID stickers, including the serial no., but I am sure that they will be able to help get both of my units upgraded with the newer firmware, as I am a member of their forum, and they told me they would be able to help me out (even here in the U.S.), provided I ship the boxes to their HQ's in the UK, in which I can certainly do.

I read in Sony Style specs list on this unit, and also a review on Audio Cubes' website that the NC11A's (NOT to be confused with the inferior NC11) have an inline rotary volume control along with the noise canceling switch, and (compared to the EX71/81 have a whopping 106 dB with (noise canceling) compared to the EX71/81 which only have 100 dB, plus, they can handle 1000mW (1 WATT!) per channel, and from what I heard (and read) those who like the EX71/81 (part of the N.U.D.E. EX series) will love these, mainly because they have a LOUDER output (due to the +6 dB increase and from what I have read) than the passive EX71/81s do. I am planning to get them (in black), on eBay as soon as I get my next paycheck, to add onto my RM-MC40ELK remote and LinkPlus SRS-88 surround sound headphone converter/amplifier that I use with my measely 5mW per channel MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman, after all, ANY boost of volume without running the Walkman's amp into the ground (over 20/30 on the Walkman volume scale, which causes distortion) is indeed a plus. Also a little EQ tweeking as well as aural tuning will help out too. As for the cord length (being 1.5 meters), a simple soldering iron experience and a little time and patience (and a spare cord preferably with a straight plug) and you will have a shorter, more remote-friendly cord in no time.

I myself use a LinkPlus SRS-88 Surround Sound converter/booster, and based on my use I recommend it because it puts out some pretty good boost and deep, wide expansion (for around $25.00 now on eBay), and, it lasts over 100 hours on one measly "AAA" battery, and if you have IEMs or other flatter-response headphones that don't drown out the higher frequencies with over-exaggerated bass when using bass boost (like the MDR-A34SP/L units do, as they were built in 1996 and were intended for non-EQ/bass boost use with older Walkmans), I highly would (for the price) recommend them, but, before taking my suggestion, DO check out Boostaroo units or even those from Germany, made by Headphonia, among others, but don't jump in the car and buy them based on one (or my) opinion alone, do the research for yourself, it also depends on the equipment used with them (portable unit, headphones, type and EQ of music mostly listened to, etc.). All these 25 years I have been dealing with personal audio (I have owned TONS of Walkman unit over that time) for my own enjoyment could have made me (if there was a title of that nature) a "personal audio consultant" for a major "stereos ONLY" store (excluding Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal Mart, etc.), as my "old school" philosophy could have fit in with the "nu skool" of portable gear such as the fine Atrac-based products mentioned on this board, or MP3 or Ipods. I myself own currently an MZ-NH700S, a D-NE700S and an NW-E75 (all non-EU models), all with some sort of EQ or bass boost, and I would experiment with different combinations based on your particular unit and pipes used with it, until you can dial in the right combination for you, basically, it's all a matter of preference.