campekenobi Posted December 2, 2004 Report Share Posted December 2, 2004 I've fallen in love w/ this lil' machine (particularly the BLACK one). Please tell me if you've had good or bad experiences w/ this unit. I'm hoping it's metal construction makes it feel sturdy. A couple of specific questions in the mean time: 1 - do you HAVE to use the headphone remote, or can you use standard headphones in a headphone jack? 2 - can you use a STANDARD AA battery inside the unit or do you have to use the rechargable? 3 - where's the PLAY button??? I see just about everything else (pause/stop/skip/volume) on the face of the player. Thanks - please respond - ASAP!!! :smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted December 2, 2004 Report Share Posted December 2, 2004 I have the black NH900, and I love it :wink: - shame it's a bit fat compared to my N910, but still, sound quality's great and the extra features/formats are pretty much what us diehards have been after all these years. Had it since May, and it's been good to me so far... NB. Only the front is metal - the back's plastic, still feels pretty solid though. 1. You don't need the remote, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack works just fine without. 2. It uses a rechargeable gumstick, but you can use a standard AA instead of/as well by means of an external battery pack (supplied) 3. It has a '5-way' joystick-style jog lever - the round thing and the play button is in the middle of all that - just press to play... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2004 Thanks Kevin! How much fatter are we talking here, like the thickness of another whole minidisc?? I was hoping to fit my player in my front pants pocket. Also, the black model cost about 80 to 100 dollars MORE than the silver It so beautiful... but thats so much more for just a color... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I got my NH900 Black from Etronics in late September and I have really enjoyed this unit other than a few problems with Sonic Stage. This is a solid recorder, reminds me of the Sharp DR7 build with metal front and hard plastic back. Check this link for the Etronics page http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_co...ore=&catid=4353 I would highly recommend that you upgrade your remote and gumsticks for the optimal experience. The RM-MC40ELK is a worthy upgrade and you can find better gumsticks. You can also use a AA dry cell alkaline and get over 2 hours of PCM recording. A great unit and something I enjoy using. Checkout the manual while you decide: http://minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH900.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Thanks for the Etronics page... I've actually seen it there before, but I was told by another net company in the USA that no USA shop will sell the BLACK model. Only silver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 You want a picture of my black NH900 next to my receipt for that other net vendor to see? I would be happy to provide the details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Well, it wasn't a matter of distrusting you, I just thought maybe you bought it a long time ago (when 2 colors were an option) since they don't list any color choices on the site currently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I also was not trying to discredit what you said, I was caught on a saracastic moment. I also went to the site and it no longer list the item as black but that is what I have and I got it late September which wasn't that long ago. I was surprised to get the black one since that I is what I wanted and I couldn't find it in the U.S. It was a cool surprise when I opened the package. Hope that helps since my receipt does NOT list NH900 Black just NH900. Maybe you can call them. I have bought 2 MDs from them and I have never had a problem, fast shipping and good prices. Just my experience with them of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 GREAT! Actually, I'm still waiting for them to OPEN... missed their hours last night, now I'm waiting early morning. I was planning to call them to make sure. Would you mind telling me how 'bulky' the nh900 feels?? Since I've seen that mentioned from different on line places... is it a battery buldge in the back or something? Can it still fit in a front pant pocket at all? Thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 By the way, mrsoul, can you verify if the pic of the nh900 on the Etronics site was Silver or Black when you ordered it??? Based on what you said, you said "no longer list the item as black" - yet you also said you were "surprised" when you got the package, as if you thought you were getting silver. I called & they said what you see is what you get, but sounded like an operator who didn't know everything, so I'm wondering if spending an extra $20 for this site is worth the gamble. Please respond soon - thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Hrm. Very interesting, I was unaware that the black NH900 was alive and well in the US. This is good news, because I believe my girlfriend was planning on shelling out a considerable sum for the Japanese NH900 for me for Christmas. If I can get the 40ELK 3-line remote from bargaining4all.com for a good price and the black NH900 from etronics for a decent price, who needs it? :rasp: Anyway, campekenobi, call etronics back and ask to speak to a manager or someone with a little more knowledge. I would directly quote the "what you see is what you get" and remind them that resellerratings.com isn't always the friendliest bedfellow. Take control of the business you give your money to, don't let them control you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 I called again - NO DICE. They denied ever selling the NH900 "B" series... when I brought up someone ordered it, I was told they probably had to out-source the supply at the time, but they had no inventory list even in the history of selling the black model... TICKS ME OFF why I should pay an extra $60 for a COLOR!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 I have the paper receipt right here on my desk and there is no reference to black on the NH900 order. The item listed as SONMZNH900 but it is the black one. Here's a link to a picture of my setup: http://home.earthlink.net/~mhjohns_music2/...x/otterbox.html Sorry you are not getting anywhere with my lead, I got the NH900 black from Etronics whether on purpose or not. It's a shame Sony isn't pushing both in the US. I think the black does look better and that's why I wanted one. I guess I should consider myself lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 mrsoul, um.... that's the SILVER MODEL!!! I see you have a black cradle base, but the minidisc player in your photos is the SILVER model. I'm not being flippant here, but are you aware of what the black one looks like?? Here: http://www.avland.co.uk/sony/mznh900/mznh900lrg.jpg Anyway, I just ordered the silver one. DONE DEAL. I already went WAYYY over my original budget for this thing, and to add another 60 to 100 dollars for a color is rediculous, though the thought did cross my mind a few times :rasp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 What a minute. There must be 3 versions of this model out there. If you look at this page on minidisc.org http://minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH900.html you will see 3 different models: a totally silver model, a silver model with a black face (I guess that's what we call mine) and a totally black model. To be honest, I had not paid attention to that totally black model as an option. I guess what I am referring to is this "I expected to get the one with a totally silver face and body and that was not my preference since I wanted the one with a black face and I was pleasantly surprised to receive the black face model." Oops! Maybe yours will have a black face, I have the red face now :wacky: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 I think there's just two, and the LIGHTING of that one photo makes it look like the WHOLE thing is dark black, when in reality, the GRAY portion (by the LCD) is just dark in the photo. And once more, I think you have the SILVER one, based on your pic (anyone else wanna' chime in here??) The BLACK one looks like this: http://minidisc.org/images/sony_mznh900_black_mymd.jpg Dude, I'm pretty sure yours is SILVER w/ a GRAY area around the LCD, just like all of the ones in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 By the way... no pat on the shoulder for ordering??? In just over a week I'll be an official member of minidisc owners!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoul Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 I think there's just two, and the LIGHTING of that one photo makes it look like the WHOLE thing is dark black, when in reality, the GRAY portion (by the LCD) is just dark in the photo. And once more, I think you have the SILVER one, based on your pic (anyone else wanna' chime in here??) Dude, I'm pretty sure yours is SILVER w/ a GRAY area around the LCD, just like all of the ones in the US.Read what you just posted. You are stating that I can't tell the difference between gray/silver and black. That's a bold statement to make and something that made me laugh. My NH900 has a silver body but the area around the LCD is BLACK as night. Take a look again at the minidisc.org site and at my images. I promise you that is a BLACK area around my LCD; it is NOT silver or even gray. If you want me to take some other pictures, not a problem. Certainly, I am not the only NH900 owner that has a black area around the LCD screen unlike the totally silver ones. I realize it is not all black but it is not all silver or gray. Look at this: http://minidisc.org/images/sony_mznh900_avwatch.jpg Whatever the color, congratulations on your purchase. It's a solid piece of hardware that has not shown any problems, unlike the software... I am very happy that I sold my DR7 and my MXD-D400 and replaced them both with the NH900, it does the job of both very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 OOOOOOHHHHH - I get it. The whole time I thought you were trying to tell me the whole FACE was black :wacky: Sorry! LOL. I didn't know there were different color pieces around the LCD. Ok, no biggey. Yeah - I'm very excited about this purchase... now I'm on the NEW debate. Buy a new car CD stereo w/ AUX input, OR get an in dash MD. Yes, I know in dash doesn't have hi-MD ability, but how COOL would it be to pop in an MD into my dash (and not have to deal w/ cables while driving)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Like Kev on page 1 of this thread, I have a black MZ-NH900 and am delighted with it. However, I'm surprised he says the back of his is plastic. Mine isn't, it's metal. Took delivery a month or so back from Amazon UK at the bargain price of £149-99 delivered, though they put the advertised price up about two days after I'd ordered it and also I had to wait about 4 weeks for it, and I don't know where they were sourcing it from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyena Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 Sorry! LOL. I didn't know there were different color pieces around the LCD. Ok, no biggey.No. There isn't. They're all black. In regards to this photo, it is a picture of a pre-production unit. Notice the lack of the NH900 badging on the unit. There is only 2 units, both have black LCD screen areas. The silver unit's brushed aluminum front is silver, and the black unit is black. :rasp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 @Viv - yeah, I debated using Amazon.co.uk for a while... it translates to $290.00, then who knows how much for overseas shipping... which again, on top of the $240 I just spent, would be at LEAST $60 just for a color change. I just couldn't do it. But in other news - I decided how to get my MD action in the CAR!!! I just realized the Pioneer CD player in my car was still under the 30-day return policy (I got it like 23 days ago - lol) and since it has no AUX, I looked for a model in the store that would have a FRONT AUX outlet, and the Aiwa models did... best part? SAME price as my Pioneer, so I just did a swap today... it's installed and ready so when my NH900 arrives, I'll have the car option! Yes, the in-dash would have been ultra-cool, but w/ non-hi-md, kinda' defeats the purpose a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Dreamer Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 How would one go about getting an all black model? I mean, completely black, not just the face plate? Are they not available to us oil hungry Americans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Take it from this oil hungry American; as I just stated, Amazon.co.uk has it, but you'll pay a bit over $300 for it w/ shipping. Here's another source: http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/CatalogueItem_19683.html Another, much more expensive one: http://www.electronics-online.co.uk/acatal...MD_Walkman.html I had a few other links I had saved when I did my searching, but they're at home. However, I believe the 'unbeatable' site was, as it stated, unbeatable. Just make sure you calculate those overseas costs for shipping. Now you've got me jealous thinking I missed the opportunity Well... again, I spent almost $200 MORE than what I originally intended, so.... Oh, and keep us posted on what you decide! It's fun knowing there will be another member of the family :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 I think the all-black NH900's are the European models. I have one, and it's lovely - the only thing is that the headphone output is reduced from the 'world model' standard 5mW to 3mW. Still sounds loud enough to me but others may not be so glad about that... I think the black/grey NH900 looks great too, so I'd be happy to swap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Hmmmm... so you're saying the SILVER model has a general louder headphone LEVEL OUTPUT?? I hope that's true, coz then I won't be so upset I missed out on the black beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Not necessarily - we have a silver model in Europe too, and that's also of lower output. But the black and grey unit is not sold in Europe (as far as I know), so you have higher output with the black/grey (World) model and not if you have all-black (Euro). Silver is lower output in Europe / higher elsewhere. If I've got my facts straight. Anyway the main thing is that higher output beats better looks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campekenobi Posted December 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Well if I can't blast my brain w/ my tunes, then I'll send the sucker back. I suppose I can always make sure when I rip to the MD I normalize & boost everything first... he he... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Dreamer Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 I think the all-black NH900's are the European models.Why do they DO that? why can't they just offer all the colors of the model in all the nations they sell it in? Damnit. But, no, financially, I couldn't justify paying the shipping costs for a black one from England. I like the black one, I really like it, but, money is tight, and it would be foolish to dole out for the black one. Oh well. campekenobi, I'm not new to the format, I have an 600d, but I want the ability to record, along with some other things, so I'm upgrading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 The all black model is also the "world" edition [ala teamdigital.net] and additionally the "World Traveler" JP [audiocubes.com] edition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.