bluecrab

I can't say anything about the either the E10 or E12, but I had always thought the 940 had a current pulse DAC. Sony itself has conflicting information about this. See, as an example, http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpdf.textfiles.com%2Fmanuals%2FSTARINMANUALS%2FSony%2520Consumer%2FMDS-JB940.pdf&ei=O43xUp68GuLjsATCnYDABw&usg=AFQjCNHWk9XtJPh4FiDav40iKlN7IfrB6w&bvm=bv.60444564,d.cWc where first, Sony says it's a current pulse and then says it's a hybrid. At this point, I'm inclined to think it is in fact hybrid. I recently acquired a JB930, which is believed to have a current pulse DAC. In any case, IMO the 930 sounds better than the 940. I think your idea of waiting for one to show up is good. I got lucky this time and found my 930 on craigslist for low $$. Good luck!

Oddly, only earlier this evening I had a problem with reading a Princo disc on a JB930. The disc (a recording I'd made years ago) has always read OK, but the 930 rejected it over and over with a TOC error. I acquired the 930 recently, but no other discs have yet caused a TOC error. I re-recorded from the original source CD onto a JVC MD. No problem reading it. I also noticed that the 930 also played, without complaint, a Memorex MD. I hadn't even thought about its being a Memorex when I played it. It's a disc I have played a lot on various decks without any issues. BTW, the "Problem Princo" is read just fine by my MXD-D40 and MXD-D400. Maybe the 930 is just a bit sensitive.

Memorex MDs have had a reputation for quite some time as being less reliable than others. They are not the only discs users have complained about, but they do seem to get more than their fair share of negative attention. Here's an example from almost 10 years ago in this very forum; IIRC, issues with Memorex were reported going back even farther...late 90s....maybe earlier. In all fairness, though, I think I had a problem with one or two Memorex discs, but I have some that seem to be perfectly OK for use. I think you are taking the correct approach for now. Why risk the MD unit if it seems sensitive to the Memorex discs?

I had exactly one pre-recorded MD, something by Richard Thompson. I found it in a used-CD shop for $2. I was simply curious about such a thing. The audio quality of that particular disc was poor. I eventually gave it away. Although the pre-recorded MDs have a very high "cuteness" factor, they were never of any real interest to me. Great list, though, Jimma!

There is no mention of demo mode anywhere in the MXD-D400 manual. I am now wondering if it even has demo mode. My comments from the original discussion are about the MXD-D40. Does anyone else out there have a D400? If so, do you get demo mode? (BTW, I added some edits/comments to my immediately prior post.)

I don't see in the D400's svc manual how to do a resume clear. How's it done? {edit]: Actually, a factory reset is done by unplugging the deck, then plugging it in while holding down the power button. I did this and the deck initialized. However, still no demo mode. I guess I will have to live without it. Thanks for your suggestion. [edit #2]: The same factory reset (power off - unplug - concurrent plug-in/press power-on) worked as specified for my MXD-D40, which now has demo mode restored. It's the D400 that is now demo-less.

I know I mentioned that. The MXD-D40 manual says that is how it's done. But I did unplug the deck and I'm still not getting the demo mode. The deck is a JPN model and can be just a bit flaky sometimes, so maybe this is just one of those things. I am going to try leaving it unplugged overnight.

OK, anyone know how to get Demo mode back on? I tried powering off my MXD-D400 and unplugging for ~30 minutes, but no Demo mode.

I have been through a few portables, all Sony except for an older Sharp model that expired well before it should have and a Kenwood that was defective right out of the box. Best sound for me was from the Sony MZ-DN430 Psyc MiniDisc Network Walkman. I think this model even has Type S ATRAC. A friend of mine tweaked the sound on his and got it to sound even better. For a while, these were going refurbed on eBay for 30-40 USD, but I don't think they are that cheap any more. Still, worth taking a look. Strictly just uses one AA.

LP2 is OK for casual listening. It sounded nice on my MDS-JA333ES when I had one, a bit less nice on the MXD-D400. A little odd because the 333 was Type R and the D400 is Type S. With LP2, you can tell that the source that has been messed with (at least I think I can, as it seems to play louder than SP). Still, as I said, OK for casual - and portable - use. I use SP whenever I can. That's for music. For audiobooks I record from CD > MD, LP4 is just fine. I also use Mono mode for audiobooks. My best advice would be to go with whatever sounds acceptable to you in a given context.

The MXD-D40 has the CXD-2662R chip (IC151), which is Type R. Does it use the Type R for 1x copying? I always thought so. minidisc.org equipment browser says of the D40: "MDLP compatible. Sony ATRAC Type-R (ATRAC Type-R is used only during realtime SP mode dubbing, not for MDLP or high-speed SP mode dubbing)." Although I beiieve this to be true also of the D400, it's not the kind of information Sony likes to make obvious. In any case, for MDs that I expect to hang on to for a while, I use 1x on a D400 or may even use [external source] > MD if I want to strip SCMS. For MDs I listen to very casually or ones that are short-term temporary, I use either the D40 or D400 high-speed copying.

Someone may have mentioned this already (it's a long thread and I could have missed it), but I believe that none of the Sony CD>MD decks copy at high speed using Type R/S. It is believed that 4.5 is used for the 2x/4x copies, but I'm not sure I've ever seen proof of that. Does it matter? I think so. I think that 1x CD>MD recordings made on the MXD-D40/400 are superior to the high-speed copies. Not that the high-speed copies are bad, just that the realtime ones are better. My two cents.

What is YOUR attraction to the (now technically obselete) format, Minidisc? I like the looks of the MD decks, their abilities and ease of use, the fact that I do not need a computer to use it, and having actual media to fondle. I think MD sounds pretty good, too. You may wish to consider the following factors in your answer: 1. How old were you when you first 'bought into' the format? ~50 2. Do you still regularly use your very first player? It died long before I have, and deservedly so (MDS-JE510). 3. Do you regularly 'use' your items, or are some purely of interest as a 'collector'? Mainly use them all, except for the few 60-minute MDs I have . I just like to look at those...but may yet use them. 4. Do you listen to 'new' music on your discs, or prefer to keep the format for music 'of the era'? All over the place with that one. 5. Do you own more items than you can 'practically use'? Not really. 6. Did you 'go away' from MiniDisc', only to return to it at a later date? I am among the faithful. 7. Do you associate use of your player with 'fond memories', or is it a purely 'practical' consideration? Both. All power to the Minidisc! ;-) I'll be most appreciative of your answers. There are NO 'right' or 'wrong' motivations! I am massively interested in how different musical formats are received (from cassette-tape, vinyl, CD and MP3) and how they are individually "valued".

Thanks for the history and welcome. Could you tell me if the PLN is pronounced "ZWA-ta," "ZWA-ty," or another way (in Polish, not an English version of it)? Dziękuję :-) I recently saw an excellent Polish movie - In Darkness - and found the dialog that was in Polish intimidating. Good thing it was subtitled! I know that has nothing to do with MD...but if I could somehow accumulate enough zlotys or their equivalent, I could get another MDS-JB940 or, if one ever, ever turns up, perhaps an MDS-JA50ES. bc

As stated previously, mainly eBay & Craigslist. You can try googling; sometimes that will turn up gear that is elsewhere. For example, something like "used stereo gear" will on occasion give you sites that have an MD unit or two (or more!) for sale. Although I consider eBay the likeliest source, as you have seen bargains are few and far between there. I believe that is because by now most people who are interested in MD know exactly which are the more desirable units and bid accordingly. That and an ever-dwindling supply drives up pricing. And of course, any units that are touted as being in excellent condition command even higher prices. Over the years, I have accumulated a pretty large number of discs, so I don't pay as much attention to that, although from what I do see they too seem to have gone up in price. Keep looking and best of luck!

I just assume good recording quality in minidisc decks. I have had both low- and high-end models and although I'm not certain about differences in recording quality, I will state emphatically (if subjectively) that the JA/JB series sound noticeably better on playback than do the JEs (as well as the Pioneer MJ-D508, the only non-Sony deck I have ever owned). It's important to me because I mostly do playback through a decent separate-component system - two of them, really. At the moment I am playing an MD that I recorded on who-knows-what deck on an JA20ES that I got at a pretty good price on eBay, at a time when you could still sometimes find the more desirable decks at relatively reasonable prices. The SQ this unit produces is, for me, well worth what I paid for it. Glad I was able to grab it when I could!

When they come and make me give up my NAD C-372 int. amp. and various associated separates (including MD decks) and full-size speakers, then that's when I'll make the switch to whatever-it-is that passes for hi-fi these days. But they better not come half-steppin', because I intend to hold on to my gear for quite some time yet!

PhillipeC asks: You "think" you have a Hucht MK II Copyprocessor... because it has been built inside ? No, because I forget if it is MK II or MK III. Edit: It is neither. It is the Hucht CDQ1-IHF. http://www.brelektronik.de/ERRMO-EU/cdq1info.htm (Text is in German.)

It is a device that alters the copy-protection bit when you're copying a digital copy in digital mode. For example, suppose I copy a CD to MD digitally on the MXD-D400. The MD is now copy-protected and cannot be copied digitally again, unless you change or remove the copy-bit. This applies to all standalone consumer-grade equipment. That's what the "stripper" (sometimes called an SCMS-killer) does. Here's a fancy one that also does much more: http://www.minidisc.org/part_Behringer_Ultramatch_SRC2000.html The one I have has only the one function of altering that copy bit (I think it is the Hucht MK II Copyprocessor).

I have two MXD-D400s (One US, one JPN). They have been excellent and reliable copiers and will copy LP at 4x, unlike prior models (D40 et al.). They are easy to use, too and have Type S. I copy MD > MD using an MXD-D400 and a MDS-JA20ES, digitally, using scms stripper. Those, for me, are the major pluses. On the other hand, the unit's digital I/O is limited to one optical each for I/O. And the playback sound is nothing to get excited about (via analog out), to say the least, although it is superior to the MXD-D40 (I have two of those, as well) in that regard. However, you can improve the output SQ by using the digital out. Ultimately, I rarely use the MXD-D400 for playback. It just doesn't sound as good as an JA20ES, JA333ES, or JB940. As I said, though, it's a great and full-featured copier. Were I in the market for one, I'd definitely pay USD 151 for it, assuming excellent condition.

Count me as one who likes the "warm" analog sound, as from the MDS-JA20ES. My older ears don't care much why I like it better than the admittedly more-detailed MDS-JA333ES, they just do. I've read the somewhat famous JA555ES/JA50ES review/comparison several times now, and I would like to get hold of the JA50ES. Much easier said than done, though. IMO, an MD unit's DAC may be almost as important as its ATRAC version. DACs really do vary in sonic characteristics.

Thanks for the updated "Currently listening to," Jim. Got some great leads from the prior one!

Couple of things. If it worked prior to 10.8.3, then 10.8.3 could be the issue, of course. Macs are, in effect, real WinTel machines and can be dual-booted, should you be so inclined if all else fails. http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/39253-guide-the-fool-proof-vista-xp-mac-os-x-dual-boot-guide. I see that last year sfbp got 7 and OS X and sonic stage to cooperate (with a "newish" os x version, don't know which one) although it isn't clear whether that was a VM or "real" Windows. Wish I could be more helpful, but good luck with it.

Jimma, The 333ES may have once been repairable, but it is not now. Partly because of the the unit and partly because of my unintentional helping it down the road to ruin. In any case it has, sadly, departed in so many pieces. It was always just a bit flaky.

I did a little poking around online and found that my MDS-JA20ES deck has a CXD8735N DAC, the same as Sony's CDP-XB9*0 series of CD players (UK only, I think). Similarly, the MDS-JA3ES - Sony's first ES MD deck - is reported to have the CXD8505BQ DAC, same as my Sony CDP-XA20ES. So I have, actually, a couple of questions. 1. What is the DAC in the MDS-JA333ES? I cannot find one at all in its service manual. I don't mean the DSP chip, I mean the DAC. What's going on here? It has to have one somewhere, doesn't it? I must be missing something. **** I did find the DAC for the MDS-JA333ES. It is the CXA8042AS, also found in many of Sony's better CDPs, including my own XA20ES (2 of them if the 20ES, as well as the 8505BQ). The MDS-JA555ES has a CXD9521Q DAC, also found in Sony's CDP-XA555ES. Given that a lot of MD decks share the same chip (depending on ATRAC version), I'm thinking that things like which DAC is in there are a critical factor in the sonic qualities of a given deck. 2. Does anyone own or is anyone familiar with the MDS-JA3ES? True, it is only ATRAC 3.5, but I like the idea of its having the 8505BQ DAC and I am wondering how the JA3ES would sound and whether its sonics might be similar to my JA20ES and/or the CDP-XA20ES, especially the latter. (Really what I mean is a lot of bass extension.) I'm kind of curious why so many of Sony's higher-end CDPs have multiple DACs, while MD decks have only one. Any ideas? You can see the CDP DACs here: http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/#S Also interesting that the Sony ES MD decks share their DACs with those Sony CDPs that have the fixed pickup mechanism. Esoterica, I know, but maybe relevant stuff.