KJ_Palmer

No errors here with Hi-MD units or associated disks either...

NH900 wins for me because of line out, and legacy recording modes

I had that very same problem when I tried to install SS3.1 with the 'full installer' Elisa. I have a laptop with XP and 56k modem. In the end (after 3 attempts) I just bit the bullet and downloaded it with the slow, SS downloader program (and overnight connection) and everything is just fine and dandy. Perhaps you ought to consider this, if it's an option...

In fact even then still none as you can't put LP4 on a Hi-MD disk, only NetMD formatted 'normal' disks. The nearest equivalent would be Hi-LP (64kbps) or 48kbps, which would allow you to put several thousand songs on a 1 GB disk.. (probably)...

That's UPsampled LP2... ...basically (in layman's terms - sure someone else can it explain better) because LP2 is sampled at 132 kbps (kilobits per second) and SP is 292 kbps, the LP2 that's stored on the computer needs to be padded out to fill the space for fake 'SP'. Therefore fake SP doesn't sound any better than LP2, but looks to an old MD unit like real SP and so can play it... Well, that kind of thing anyways... ..

Yes, that's right Reg, you need to copy (import) the tracks from CD to My Library first and then do the transfer to MD. Bit of a pain, but at least you have a ready made copy for further transfers... I dont think there's any way of copying SP (ie fake SP) using Simpleburner, but I may be wrong... It should also be worthwhile upgrading to 3.1 when you get a chance

You can set SonicStage to SP transfer mode for NetMD initialised standard discs (ie. not the 1GB discs). I'm using SonicStage version 3.1, but you should also be able to do this with earlier versions. The SP transferred tracks will be playable in all older MD equipment, though the recording quality is only actually upsampled LP2 standard.

SP = Stereo Playback (or sometimes Standard Play) = 292 kbps. (The least compressed stereo format that minidisc originally offered). Its really what the 60, 74 or 80 minute minidisc refers to (ie. the amount of recording time available in SP mode)...

The EX71's are very quiet earphones in any case I find, relative to other, more efficient headphones. I always had to turn the volume (on Sony portables) up to well over 20 with the EX71s to get a decent volume level, though you should find that tweaking (ie increasing) the custom EQ settings will help a awful lot. Also with the EX71's, make sure you shove the buds right the way into your ear canals, and dont be afraid to experiment by tring out the different rubbery ear fittings...

And the extra '6' minutes become 12 in LP2 (or mono) and 24 in LP4... Always worth having that exra bit of capacity for compilations, though for straight CD dubs the 74 mins is usually enough...

How about trying the Sennheisser HD25? I have them too and they offer fantastic isolation, great frequency response and low impedence, so go loud and clear with portable gear. Downside is that they're quite expensive, and can get quite hot and sticky with prolonged use...

I've got the Xin Super Mini. It sounds fabulous though a Sony's line out, whether MD or CD player, but sadly its just not getting much use these days (so to speak ). I'm using fairly efficient headphones, like the Grado SR80, or Sennheiser HD595, and find that even the relatively weak Sony headphone amps can drive these to more than adequate voluimes, with little distortion. So I'm preferring this route, rather than adding an extra amp into the audio chain, and risk degrading the sound quality a bit... although I do have less efficient headphones (eg. HD580) which benefit from amping, so the amp's not entirely unused when I dig these phones out...

Well, Ishiyoshi has an RH10, as do some other members, I'm pretty sure they have confirmed the lack of line out...

Yes sadly it's true, and why I wont be buying one...

Well, theoretically the line out should give a better quality signal, yes. Not sure if its ever been tested though...

Yes, use the R900 for its line out. You won't be able to use Hi-MD to transfer your old NetMD recordings in any case (USB playback is only possible with Hi-MD mode recordings). You should actually be able to get some decent results with line out mode... You could simulate a line out mode by using a flat EQ setting and turning the volume to 30 if you're stuck on the RH10, though...

Hi. The line out mode is supposed to give a cleaner, purer signal than headphone which may have various 'colourations' added to be suitable for headphone or earphone listening. A line out would be more suitable for recording from or using an external stereo amplifier from as it would have a more neutral sound.. No, the RH10 lacks the line out mode...

Sorry if you've tried this, but is the input is set to analogue? And are the level bars moving up and down with the music.. Is the analogue recording level set to a reasonable level - and the CD player's output set to a high level? Sometimes (with a weak source) the analogue rec level will need to be pushed quite high (eg. +10.00 dB) to get a decent level of recording... Does the deck perform well in other respects, ie. playback? I've found Sony MD decks to be extremely reliable, more so than the portables, so I'd be surprised if it were a general mechanical defect - though it is an oldish machine... Otherwise the deck seems to be a lemon, and perhaps you should seek a refund. As Syrius says, it would be too costly to repair, you may as well buy a new one.....

Hello and welcome. Sadly the answer is no, Sony have not released any Hi-MD decks, just the portables. Whether they ever will is probably a matter for conjecture (unless any one has some inside info...). Like you and many others, I'm a happy user of old MD Sony decks - the market seems to be there, so I'm not sure why they don't pull their fingers out... However there is this promising looking Onkyo deck, but that's about it, and even that's not exactly readily available...

Hi Clare. I think that would do (the wall plug may be wrong though). You can, I believe buy the genuine Sony 3V adapters in Sony Centres - actually I have spare I could send as you're in the UK. Actually you can use a universal adaptor (with changeable heads) from your local Dixons or Maplins etc. Make sure it's has regulated current rated at 1000mA (or 1 Amp) and can output 3V DC of course. You must also ensure the polarity is correct before you plug it in - the tip (inside pole) is positive for Sonys - you can normally swap polarity on the univeral adapters by changing the head orientation......

Seems like a good test. Well, without peeking at these views, I voted no. 1 (=uncompressed), simply because that sounded somehow 'better' to my ears. Just played directly through Sonicstage. Better as in the cymbals and high frequencies seemed more realistic in 1, but a bit rougher in 2. Love to be proved wrong, obviously... Of course in normal usage I wouldnt have noticed any of these effects, and 2 didn't sound at all bad either... Anyway, maybe I was biased by listening to 1 first... who knows...

You might want to turn off the EQ settings on your RH10 and maximise the volume to simulate a flat line out - unfortunately there's no 'lineout' mode on this unit. This should gve you the best sound quality through your FM transmitter/car speakers...

I'd leave the lens well alone of anything - unless there's actually a problem. The optical assembly and lens should live out its life maintenance free as long as you keep it away from dust and dirt etc.... The general rule is 'clean' only when absolutely necessary (and then with caution)...

Yes I can confirm the NH900 battery case fits the N910, so should be all right for N710 too.

I don't think so, in fact I think the shelves are probably being cleared for the second generation Hi-MD units... Namely the RH10, RH910, and so on. These have started to appear in some Sony Centres in the UK, and perhaps other outlets. I imagine the other chains will very soon follow suit. Very nice they look too...