Robert Janssen

The MDS-JA50ES is better than the MDS-JA555ES. the MDS-JA555ES has ATRAC Type-R and, because of that, makes slightly better recordings than the MDS-JA50ES (ATRAC 4.5). But the MDS-JA50ES is a better player than the MDS-JA555ES.

The very best Minidisc-player ever made, is the Sony MDS-JA50ES. The MDS-JA50ES is the second MD-player in the ES-series Sony produced. The first was the entry-level MDS-JA3ES, wich was introduced in june 1995. The MDS-JA3ES has ATRAC 3.5, at that time the best ATRAC verson available. The MDS-JA50ES, wich was introduced in december 1996, has ATRAC 4.5. ATRAC Type-R, wich was introducef after ATRAC 4.5, is a bit better. You can hear the difference, but the difference is not too big. The play back-secion of the MDS-JA50ES is the best ever made, even better than the MDS-JA555ES. The MDS-JA50ES has (almost) the same converters as the famous CDP-XA50ES CD-player. The MDS-JA555ES is cheaper and not as high end as the MDS-JA50ES.

Hi Balthar, The problems you describe having with your MDS-JA30ES, I had those problems too. First I could not find the reason, but I think I got it now. I found out that my JA30ES recorded en played back without problems when I used a MD wich was never before used. But when I recorded on a disc wich was used earlier on an other Minidisc-recorder (before the JA30ES I had the JA20ES), even when I deleted the complete disc, the problems came. At the moment I own a MDS-JA50ES and this machine has the same problems. So, if you still have some empty, never before used MD to record on, please try to record on your MDS-JA30ES and I think the problems will not occur. Greetings, Robert.