bluecrab

Right, PhillipeC. You could buy more than few 50ESs for what that Einstein will cost. Keep saving! What a classy looking piece of gear, too.

I guessed 1200 USD (you can look it up!) Final price: US $1,227.99 [ 16 bids ] I wonder if an MDS-W1 will ever come my way? They're like the Unicorns of the MD world,

I am watching it too, but a few days ago I saw a JA50ES go for $600. It looked to be in seriously good shape, but not NIB. If you are bidding, Azureal, I wish you good luck. If this had come up a couple of years ago, I probably could have really considered it, but...well, it'd be a real extravagance right now. I will just have to limp along with the same MD decks you have, plus a JB930, plus a Kenwood DMF-9020. (I don't know why my MD gear doesn't show up in my postings, as it is all in my Profile.)

I can hardly believe this is for real. What do you think it will go for? I'm guessing 1200 USD. The description is written with a cool sense of humor. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-MDS-JA50ES-stereo-minidisc-MD-recorder-deck-NEW-IN-SEALED-BOX-/221731246731?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33a036528b

I have some opinions about 1x/4x SP/LP recording using Sony MXD-D40 and D400 CD/MD decks, if that is relevant here. Best SQ (not surprising): SP @ normal speed. Noticeably better to my ears than hi-speed CD > MD in SP. We know that the Type R copying decks don't use Type R at the higher speeds (probably 4.5?). That could explain it. LP2 sounds louder to me than SP, but never better, whether recorded at normal or hi speed. Also—and I know this may sound strange—MD to MD recordings sound really good. I do this digitally between any two of: MXD-D400, MDS-JA20ES, Kenwood MD-2070/DMF-9020. Finally, a number of years ago, I bought a used head unit for my car. It was the Sony MDX-CA680X. The seller include with it a bunch of MDs he had recorded on SS. They sounded great on the CA680X. IIRC, even the LP4 MDs from SS sounded all right. Ultimately, I think I agree with PhillipeC, though. Real SP quality is gotten by using direct, real-time, [digital] recording.

The JE700 does not support MDLP. Its major claims to fame IMO are its 1-bit DAC—what Sony calls "current pulse"—and its R-Core transformer. Type S is supposed to enhance playback sound quality for LP modes, more so than Type R. Everything else being equal, I think it does that. If a JE640 turns up, that would nicely replace the 510. A bit hard to find, though, at least in the US.

The 510, true, is probably not as good a recorder as any of the JEs already discussed. That's because the 510 has ATRAC 4.0, while the others have Type R or S. And of course, the 510 has no MDLP support. One feature the 510 does have that is missing in the 440/470/480 is an optical digital out. If you do not care about this feature, then I would say go with the JE480. It has Type S and if you are handy, it is said you can add optical out to the 480 (same for 440 and 470, both of which are Type R). Anyway, if you're going to stick with JE, then consider the JE480, simply b/c of its Type S. You should be able to find one of these on ebay or craigslist. Where you're in NYC, craiglist might have more in the way of MDs...and generally lower prices. If you do happen to come across a JB940 that is in your price range, you might want to consider that instead of the JE4*0s. The 940 does have optical out.

It was the only review and perhaps the only post ever on this board to use the word, "lagniappe." Although I think the HiMD deck boat has sailed its final voyage, where there's life, there's hope. I would snap one Onkyo up if it were there to be snapped. BTW, Sony's MXD-D400, more or less analogous to this TEAC, is indeed a good unit. As for CS to CS decks, I know that the Pioneer CT-07D, at least, is far from low end. It has much digital processing and even has coax in. Right now mine is doing its job in the basement, collecting dust that would otherwise be on gear I actually use ;-)

It looks to me like a sort-of-new-but-not-really product, in that it appears to be a rebadged Tascam MD-CD1mkIII. The specs for both units look about the same, as do the front and rear panels. Now if it had Hi-MD, that would make it a really new product. Here is a link to a 2007 review of the original Tascam MD-CD1, likely very similar to this "new" TEAC: I wonder if TEAC has fixed any of the misfires. At 79,900 JPY (~665 USD) it would be in the same price range as the Tascam MD-CD1mkiii. Sure looks nice, though.

No, that is not correct. As punkrockaddict noted: In general most units support MDLP that were made from 2000 on. 440/640/470/770/480/780/980 Of these, the JE440/470/480/770/780/640 all support MDLP. The 980 is the JB series, not JE, although it does support MDLP (Type S). Of the JE's, only the JE480/780 have Type S, the others are Type R. MDLP support in both cases. The JE4*0 series is typically easier to find than the others.

And the MDS-JB940. (I think the 980 is also JB.) Also the JA333ES, but that's getting into the $$$ stuff.

Interesting thread. Even if you limit the scope to MD itself, there are some ways that MD is guilty of the same sins. My MDS-JA20ES deck, for example, has a 4-way front-panel rotary switch for selecting input (OPT2/OPT1/COAX/ANALOG) that is very handy. OPT2: connects to the digital optical out of an older Macbook, used for streaming FM Radio and Internet Radio and iTunes. In this case, the JA20ES serves as an excellent outboard DAC. OPT1: connects to a digital switch that receives digital out from a choice of various CD and MD units. In this case, the JA20ES is either an outboard DAC for one of the CD or MD units or records from them via the digital switch and an SCMS killer. The COAX and Analog functions are not in use right now. Whatever...the rotary-type switch has mainly been replaced by more "advanced" menuing systems that aren't nearly as convenient. Similarly, my car's head unit (MDX-C7970) has a switch for Bass Level (None, 1, 2, 3) that is notably easier and safer to use while driving than EQ in a menu system. There are probably other MD examples where older functionality could be perceived as better than what replaced it.

Thanks, Stephen. Unless there is some "secret" combination of button-presses — and given your likely accurate analysis of the path, this is highly improbable — I think you are correct and that I am just out of luck on this one. I decided just to put the D40 back where it was. I had pulled it from the rack and put the JPN D400 in its place, assuming that the D400 would behave like most other MD decks. Wrong. I am mainly using the D40 as an outboard DAC (connected to a MacBook's optical out) for listening to FM radio that is streamed, and iTunes. Also for occasional CD>MD copying duties, although that is mainly handled by a US D400. I did, as I noted, briefly run the signal through the D400's DAC, albeit with an MD inserted and the deck in REC mode. I didn't listen long enough to draw any conclusions, but I did not notice any improvement in SQ that way. So, it will be the D40 performing DAC duties for now. Not sure what I'll do (if anything) going forward. Part of the deal here is my not spending any money on this particular config. Thanks again. BTW, I have sent an email to Sony Support about this, but I expect they won't be able to wave a magic wand and have it work. =============== Thanks also PhillipeC. Hmm...I don't think I can change any source settings on the MacBook natively, but a plugin might change that. Still, the D400 would need the appropriate signal path, I think. What in the world was Sony thinking when they apparently dropped this functionality!?

I have two MXD-D400 decks and this situation is the same on both (US and JPN models): Unlike with most other MD decks, I can't get the DAC/Monitor function to work on the D400. On other MD decks, you just connect a digital source, set the input to OPT, hit REC, play the source, and off you go. Not so with e D400. Connections are all OK and tested (works fine when there is an MD in the deck and the deck is set to REC). But when there is no MD in the unit, then the DAC pass-through doesn't work. Is this feature missing on the D400 or is there something else I need to do? I went back through forum postings and did various googles...no luck. TIA.

The thing is, guys, is that I would get the laptop for free and although I would prefer (in this case) WIN to LNX, the fact is that LNX would also be free and I am comfortable with LNX. But I can't find anything conclusive about WINE's working OK with SS. Well, you never know...maybe an XP or other MS OS disc will turn up! Thanks.

Does anyone know if SS will run under Lnx/WINE if using a non-HiMD portable? It looks like I'll be getting a PC laptop, but not one with Windows on it. I would be installing some version of Linux. Thus, the WINE question. Not going to pay for WIndows OS, as even XP (which I have used and like) still costs some $$. Is there a solution for this?

So did I. Thanks much for posting the link!

Well, you can get 'em online Freddy, for a pretty penny. Your post happened to lead me to the HHB MDP500, a portable that appears to have both optical and coax I/O. I didn't think any portables (excepting the original Sony MZ-1) even had any kind of digital out! BTW, there is a current craigslist posting in NJ, USA that has six 5-packs of HHB 74 MD blanks for 10 USD each OBO.

No difference in SQ...at least, I have never noticed any among brands...but sturdiness and reliability varies. Don't know about the HHBs in particular, though.

Here's what there is. If you don't see it on this page, it does not exist AFAIK: http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/swu-download.pl?upd_id=2236&PASSVAL2=SMB&mdl=MZM100

*** The following question is actually answered in the unit's manual and the answer is that the Monitor function is indeed equivalent to pressing Record on Sony MD decks to use the deck as a DAC. I didn't see it at first because the information in the manual isn't located in the section about Monitor functionality - it's in a section that is more generally descriptive of the unit. *** I actually found it not by reading the manual, but by googling, which pointed me to the Euro version of the manual on minidisc.org (although the info is also in the combined US/EUR version, too). ================================================================================================= A while back, I acquired a Kenwood MD deck, US model MD-2070 (EUR model = DMF-9020). The deck has a feature called "Monitor" that is available only on the Remote. The user manual describes the Monitor feature this way: "Press to monitor the sound being input from the source while the unit is in stop mode." It seems to work just that way. However, via a digital switch, I am sending the optical out from a Sony MXD-D400 deck to the optical in of the Kenwood MD deck, and then using Monitor to listen to the resulting output to an integrated amp, via the Kenwood's analog out. In other words, I'm trying to use the Kenwood MD deck as a DAC. My question is whether the Monitor function does the same thing as when you press Record on some Sony MD decks when no MD is present. That enables using the Sony deck as a DAC. I just don't know if the Monitor function engages the Kenwood's DAC or if it is more of a "pass-through" condition and does not go through the DAC. The Kenwood MD-2070 isn't common and I don't think I have ever seen it mentioned here, but maybe someone is familiar with the Monitor function in general and how it works? As a side note, I will say the the Kenwood deck sounds very nice...similar, in fact, to my Sony MDS-JB930. The Kenwood may have a current pulse DAC ("1-bit, 24-bit type" is how K/w describes it), although its ATRAC is only 4.5. The S/N is pretty high @ 112dB. Thanks for any opinions you might have! Bruce

I2OB wrote: "my brother is studding in Japan right now..." NICE work if you can get it! ;-)

I have the same issue as does culp4684 and I have had - and continue to have - other problems with the JA20ES. I bought mine used on eBay 3/4 years ago, I'd guess. Like culp4684's JA20ES, mine eventually will play and record...so far. The JA333ES I had was also flaky. I agree with the conclusion that the moving parts will eventually just wear out. Those of you who have the skill and workspace to maintain and repair your MD units are truly fortunate.

Thanks, Stephen. You are correct in all three cases, as the JA20ES has the same chips as the JB930. I have one of each of these two decks, and they do sound alike. So if the 8505BQ appears in a Sony MD deck, it's somewhere else. However, I'm still wondering what in the world Advanced Pulse is. Perhaps just marketing hype by Sony? As with the JB930 and XA20ES, the CDP-XA1ES sounds an awful lot like its bigger cousin, the CDP-XA20ES.

Does anyone know what an "Advanced Pulse Digital Converter" is? (Sony CXD8505Q - CXD2515Q). It is in a Sony CDP-XA1ES. IIRC, either the JA20ES or JB930 has the 8505BQ DAC, which is a current pulse. So what is the difference between a "current pulse" and "advanced pulse" DAC? Is "advanced somehow different from "hybrid"? I'm no EE, so the simpler the explanation, the better. I am not being lazy here, as I did some poking around on the web, but did not find anything comprehensible to me. BTW, the unit says "Advanced Pulse..." right on the front of it.