Peel

It looks like this is true. I generated 10 seconds of white noise as a test, saved it in different formats (PCM, 256&320k MP3s and 256k ATRAC3plus) and transfered them to my RH10. Then I played it back on the RH10 and recorded the analogue signal (EQ off, max volume) and compared the frequency responses of the original files to the analogue recordings. Relevant results: (as you can see, the analogue signal was recorded at a lower level than the original, but that's not important) red line: the original PCM (it's mostly covered by the yellow line; look on the right side of the graph). Flat frequency response, of course green line: analogue recording of the PCM file -- there's a bit of high-frequency loss above 20kHz but not an extraordinary amount. Otherwise the frequency response conforms very closely to the original digital file. This is what I would expect. yellow line: the orignal 256k MP3 file. As is normal, there is a sharp frequency cutoff above 19kHz or so; otherwise maintains the frequency response of the PCM blue line: analogue recording of the MP3 file. Unlike with the PCMs, the frequency response here is significantly different compared to the original MP3. Here's a logrithmic view: So as you can see, on MP3 playback there seems to be a high shelf filter starting around the lower treble area. By comparison, although these aren't shown in the above graph, the filter seemed to be the same with the 320k MP3, and it was NOT present in the ATRAC recording. I don't think there's any explanation other than that Sony is intentionally degrading the playback quality of MP3s. The (possible) argument that the filter is intended to improve perceived audio quality by reducing some of the artifacts that are present in the treble frequencies in MP3s is not believable for many reasons, including: - the cutoff point of the filter appears to be constant, rather than varying according to the MP3's bitrate - the type of treble artifacts I have in mind happen in the upper-mid treble, well above the cutoff point - other decoders don't do this; it's the encoder's job to figure out how to handle the frequency curve for maximum quality when it's decoded straight. - ATRAC (and other lossy formats) have the same sorts of artifacts but ATRACs aren't filtered by the RH10. - There are (arguably) ways to slightly improve sound quality of decoded MP3s, but I don't think think they involve shelving cuts above 2-3kHz. If anything, it's more common to try to restore high frequencies (EG through excitment of harmonics - not through EQ) and so on. In any case, nobody wants Sony deciding how their MP3s should sound. This doesn't really affect me, because I listen *only* to MP3s on my MD, and with my custom EQ setting I'm quite satisfied with the quality. But a mix of MP3s & other formats will make you nuts. And IMHO it's wrong on principle. Anyway, in summary, if you want to check this out, it's actually very easy to confirm -- just take an audio file, convert to high-bitrate MP3. Listen on your computer; they should approximately (or maybe exactly) the same. Transfer to your MD. If you want, transfer an ATRAC version, too. The difference is undeniable; you *will* hear it even if you have crappy headphones & bad ears.

Hm, guess my original reply got eaten by the forum crash. Anyway, the rounding/ambiguity issue accounts for a portion of the difference -- about 50MB. But the bulk of the difference is because on CD, audio is stored in a different format than data -- that CD can hold 80 minutes of CD-audio *OR* 700MB of data. If you rip an 80-minute CD into .wav files, you'll see that it takes up more than 800MB of space on your HD (or MD). The reason is that data files need additional error-checking information which takes up some space. Given that 1GB = 1 trillion bytes (not technically correct but standard practice), 94 minutes worth of 44/16 stereo PCM in 1GB is actually quite efficient (95 minutes wouldn't fit even if there were no file system overhead).

Use a compressor with long attack & decay values. Also try a low threshold (around the level of the quiet parts) & a soft ratio (probably under 2:1, but play around). If the loud parts come in suddenly, you might have to reduce the attack time, or put a limiter after the compressor just to catch the highest peaks. And of course you'll be adding some out-gain to bring the overall level up. Or, draw an amplitude envelope to manually ride the volume.

yep.

It looks metal (well, the chrome-coloured frame around the outside does) but it's some kind of plastic. Mine says it was made in Malaysia. Mine hasn't gathered any scratches yet, but the shiny surfaces really highlight every slight fingerprint & speck of dust. Give it a quick wipe, though, and it looks pretty cool.

Interesting! Here's a photo of mine: [attachmentid=120]

It appears that MP3s are treated the same as any other audio format -- when added through SonicStage they're put in the big file.

OK, I didn't know that. I searched the menus & I couldn't find such an option. But I can't say for sure that it's not there. Doesn't look like you can play any type of file without going through SonicStage. You can transfer files there thru explorer (or whatever), and you can see them in the MD's file listing, but you can't play them thru the MD. Which is what I expected, but still a shame since I tried to be optimistic but it was immediately obvious why everyone hates the SonicStage application. I can accept that Sony is going to force us to use some kind of system that enforces security/DRM/etc (even if I don't like it), but with this app it's like they went out of their way to make it a hassle to use. My audio files are all perfectly organized on my HD but it takes forever to do anything in SS...

Hi, I'll try to answer your questions but this is my first MD & I'm not familiar with the terminology yet (esp. since I don't yet have a manual I can read). I only have Hi-MD discs. Do you need regular MD discs to work in MD mode? There's an option in the menus for "disc mode." If I select "MD," it seems to accept my answer, but the display always shows "Hi-MD" in the top-left corner. So I think it's still in Hi-MD mode. There doesn't seem to be an option to format the discs in MD mode in Sonicstage either. In the "record mode" menu, I can choose "PCM," "Hi-SP" or "Hi-LP."

no, just one out for the phones. It also has line in, mic in, and USB

I got "black", although it looks more like sort of a colourless shiny colour from most angles. I don't know the MZ-NH900 (this is my first MD), but the R10 comes with a small thin rectangular removable recharchable battery, "NH-14WM(A)". It also comes with a weird clip-on tubular AA battery adapter which can also power the unit.

Hi, first post here I picked up an MZ-RH10 yesterday. The manual is Japanese (I live in Japan), which I essentially can't read. Has anybody seen any .pdfs of the English manuals around? I scoured some of Sony's sites but it was like wandering though a labyrinth. It's my first MD unit, so I'm not quite up to speed yet. But I like it so far!