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Sony MXD-D400 vs. Sony MDS-JA333ES

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TommyTunes

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I have a MXD-D400 and I'm thinking of upgrading to the JA333ES a Japan only unit. I looking to get the best out of my Prerecorded MD's along with getting the best sound in SP mode for new recordings. Has anybody compared the two units? What bothers me is that the MXD-D400 has ATRAC Type-S and the JA333ES uses Type-R which is the older scheme. Both seem to use 24bit ADC converters and the specs are similar. I feed the digital output of the MXD-D400 to a MSB Platinum Plus for DAC conversion so I'm wondering if the playback sound will be that much better? Has anyone done a head to head on both units?

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  • 5 years later...

I have a MXD-D400 and I'm thinking of upgrading to the JA333ES a Japan only unit. I looking to get the best out of my Prerecorded MD's along with getting the best sound in SP mode for new recordings. Has anybody compared the two units? What bothers me is that the MXD-D400 has ATRAC Type-S and the JA333ES uses Type-R which is the older scheme. Both seem to use 24bit ADC converters and the specs are similar. I feed the digital output of the MXD-D400 to a MSB Platinum Plus for DAC conversion so I'm wondering if the playback sound will be that much better? Has anyone done a head to head on both units?

I have two MXD-D400s (one US, one Japan) and a US JA333ES. I had the 400s first and I had a concern similar to yours. However, I haven't noticed much of a difference in playback with LP2 between the units. I do not use LP4 for music playback and Type S does not affect SP mode. I do use LP2 a lot. Both decks (I am currently using only the US MXD-D400) are connected to a NAD C372 integrated amp via their analog outs. The 333ES has a set of filters that seem to function as some sort of EQ. Because you are using an outboard DAC, YMMV. (The NAD C372 doers not have any digital input.) In any case, the 333ES is an impressive machine. I feel it is good enough that I have relegated the MXD-D400 to CD > MD copying only.

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well lucky you have a choice of getting a JA333ES model - I very rarely see them for sale on Ebay in the UK - wish more MD ppl would give up the format so I could get one lol. What ever the MXD-D400 is like having a 333ES is just as much about pride of ownership. I think it is probably the best of the ES range - ok the other ES ones are better but they only sport SP.

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