Skagen

Sonic stage is in some ways poorly designed and just inadequate. But not inadequate enough for me to knowingly put spyware on my own PC - yep any software by RealPlayer is pretty much spyware...

Not compared to a DR7, it doesn't. Sorry.

Dont be so sure. Now that HI-MD is out -at a prce range $200-400, market price of old MD goes down. So no reason why you won't see the older-generation minidisc technology in cheapo boomboxes! But that wont directly replace cassette. The logical upgrade path for somebody leaving cassete today is to get flash memory storage or a cheapo older genration 1-2 GB HD player.

Same as any other TV tuner remote out there on a cassette/CD/radio walkman existing today: you can listen to the audio portion of a TV broadcast - ONLY. You want a TV - buy a TV.

my-minidisc.de - online store in Germany is probably your chepaest best.

I used the have the japanese version of the R-900 and I actually though it was the best for jogging. It never once skipped on me. Since then, I've had a Sharp DR-7 and a Sony MZ-R909 and those DID skip on me. There may not be an easy solution for you. SOme factors in skipping. 1) hard surface make for more skipping. Grass is far less skip-inducing that running on roads. 2) holding the minidisc in your hand while you run, is better than having in your pocket- it shakes less 3) When you run with it in your hand, it helps to make smoother hand motions instead of really jerky ones - its better for your running form too! 4) if you have to put the minidisc in a pocket, a tight one is better than a loose one where it moves around more

Of the recorders out there the DR7 is porbbaly the best sound quality. Someone who knows about mics also claims that it has the best quality mic-preamp (aka "mic-in"). The DR7 works equally well with unpowered mics (into the mic-in) and powered mics (plug into the line-in) On that basis, the DR7 is a great choice for you. I have one myself and I love it. Regarding transfer to you computer, NO portable mindisc recorder can do this digitally. They all require you to play back the sound in real time naalog and re-record it onto your comuter (Yes, I think its retarded too, but that's what the facts are). So the best way to get your recordings from your MD to you computer is to buy the I-mic from Griffin Technologies, which is a usb connector with input and ouput jacks that you can plug into. It'll give you the cleanest analog line into your computer. I'm not too knowledgeale in that territory, so hopefully someone else can help you there The unit is exactly the same for all three, except for the name and some minor labelling differences on the minidisc unit itself. The DR7 is the Japanese version. The other two are the Singapore and European names for it. They have minor additonal accessories. The singapoer version has a world charger and the euro version has a European charger None make a difference. I think the Malaysian version is the cheapest in US $ terms and it comes with a the most accessories. Also the world charger it has is key since the other will run on Japanese or European current - ie they require you to buy a poer adapter. Some say the Jpanese current (100 Volts) is close enough to US (120 volts) and you canjust use it. I've done it before, but I don't know if that might shorten the life of the charger. It definiely wont hurt the unit though. www.teamdigital.net carries the Singapore version, and might be lower than audiocubes.

The earbuds that cpme with MD are lousy. For even just $12-15 the Sennheiser MX-500 will be a HUGE improvement in sound quality. I didn't realize just how bad the supplied standard earbud were until I got those MX-500.

In theory sure, you can come close, but in practice, its very hard to do a analog recording that will match the digital. Analog recording often have much thinner bass and slightly lower max volume. If you're using a Sony player/recorder that means your stuff will sound somewhat lame compared to a CD. Digital give you an exact copy of the original recording - no volume problems, no weirdness. Its much closer to CD quality with nothing to tweak or stress about, except to hit the "record" button. Why mess with analog?

MT 190 is the one you want or MT-200 (almost identical). I wouldn't buy it new - they go for about $175-200 new. MT190 and MT-200 (almost identical) go used on E-bay for $100-$150. That's a good price, especially if you get the MT-200.

I would say "ditto" to Sudden's recommendations of getting a used Sharp unit. However you mention upload to a computer. The easiest way of doing that is to get a Xitel gizmo that will take your analog output from your Minidisc recorder into a USB port and record it directly on your computer hard drive. There more info on that thing at www.minidisc.org, in the "Accessories browser" section. You will not be able to do it digitally - minidisc doesn't allow that - excpet via an expensive home deck. But I think that's fine - you make a good recording with a good mike, you'll have good music, whether or not its digital.

A new MT-190 costs roughly $180-200. I think that's a bit steep. You can get a used on on E-bay for $100-$140 easily. I think that's worth it. Good Things: - great sound - good feature set for the price - great design of the remote: simple, easy to use, hard to make mistake - good power 10 mW/channel: the most of ANY unit available Bad Things - slightly bigger than the average top-end unit - no lcd on remote Its a very good unit for low end and the only think that hld is back slighly is that its ever so sligtly bulky (but not as huge as the 290). Overall I think its a question of price. Above $140, you might as well go out and find yourself a used version of the next unit up (MT-200), or even the MT-770. Below that, you got yourself a nice deal.

324 Canal Street is one. There are also a few stores on Bowery (above canal st) Some stores at the north side of the mall under the Manhattan Bridge (at east Broadway)

If you decide to get the R909, and you are looking for a low price, I am actually selling mine. My e-mail is skagenNYC@yahoo.com. I'm in Norway, BTW...

J and R music world for the armband holder