MZ-NHF800 'Mechanical Noise'

[fredthesecond]

Just trying my new MZ-NHF800 model (from UK Amazon) which is great apart from the new kind of rattling noise which occurs during about the first 20 seconds of each track change or start I make playing back a disk (in LP2 mode).

This kind of noise isn't like the typical disk whirring sound I got from the MZ-R501 recorder I've been using. It sounds more like the sound you'd get from the recorder if something was loose within the case and you vigorously shook the machine! It sounds perhaps like head adjustment or something similar in the first 10 seconds, which then occurs less and less frequently, until it stops after about 18 seconds until the track number is incremented and it then starts again. In a quiet room it can be distracting if the track you're listening to starts quietly.

The manual describes something about 'mechanical noise' with the player - Is this what it's referring to, or have I received a damaged machine? (Everything seems to play very well though. I've not yet tried any recording with it.)

Has anyone else experienced the same noise?

Many thanks to all of you, by the way, for the posts on all the threads - it's all really useful information and opinion for a MD newbie like me.

Edited April 15, 2005 by fredthesecond

[dex Otaku]

This may seem like silly thing to ask, but could you record the sound so we can hear it?

A certain amount of noise is normal [and my NH700 is louder than any previous MD I've used], though. The head seeking in particular is the biggest source of noise, and if you've recorded tracks out-of-sequence on a disc [i.e. rearranged the track order on done any editing] it will have to seek out the next section when it's near the end of the one already playing.

I've made recordings where the seek motor was obvious, but it's usually more like a quiet whine than anything really loud.

So - if you can record the noise, we can probably tell you if it's normal or not.

[fredthesecond]

Yes, I'll record it tonight and post it later.

I think I know what it is though. It looks to me like its the worm gear controlling the tracking of the head across the disc. It sounds like it's a bit too loose though. The other recorder I've used has a similar sound but it's very definite and quiet - unlike this which to me sounds a bit rattly, loose and unintentional.

You're right - additional track finding all over the disc causes more of the sound as it seeks for the next track.

I'll record a comparison tonight and post after.

[fredthesecond]

Here are the audio clips recorded from the two machines to compare. They are both in 128k MP3 format. Sorry they are that size but I've been trying to maintain the quality whilst still keeping them small enough to download.

The R501 recording is of pressing play on track 1 after putting a previously recorded disk in the player.

The NHF800 recording is of the player lid being closed on the previously recorded disk and then settling down.

I think the clicky rattly sound seems to come out fairly well. See what you think.

Thanks in advance.

Noisy_minidisc_demo1_MZ_R501.mp3

Noisy_minidisc_demo2_MZ_NHF800.mp3

[The_Stamp]

*fetches my 600*

yup.. i get that sound too on my 600. Been getting that ever since the beginning same with my n510/n505.

i would say thats normal. it does say that the unit makes weird noises, and thats just the g-protection working.. dont know why a feature would be so noisy...*shrugs*

[A440]

I get the same sounds on my NHF-800, about 7 clicks when you jump to a new track.

Very hi-fi recording!

Just another reason not to get one of those mics that sits on the machine.....

[fredthesecond]

Thanks for your comments.

You have reassured me about my new aquisition.

Good to know Sony has progressed into more the more advanced (and noisier) recording technology!

[MAVickers]

Thanks for your comments. 

You have reassured me about my new aquisition.

Good to know Sony has progressed into more the more advanced (and noisier) recording technology!

←

I also have an NHF800. I speak out of sheer ignorance, but that noise (I experience it as well) gives the feeling of more solid mechanics on the inside than my NetMD models did.

[Top Cat]

Ok, guys, my RH910 also produces similar sounds, but it also has another feature sound.

It does fool-seeks quite often.

You know, similar to those older CD players fed with a damaged CD - they mislead the track, try to seek it locally a few times and failing to do that they return the pick-up to it's initial position (disc start) and then move it back to the playing track.

So does my MD unit, few times a minute every now and then, especially when uploading small recordings via SS.

What do you think?

(Note: the Hi-MD is almost new and probably not very much fragmented, having undergone only couple of deletes of selected files)

[e1ghtyf1ve]

Ok, guys, my RH910 also produces similar sounds, but it also has another feature sound.

It does fool-seeks quite often.

You know, similar to those older CD players fed with a damaged CD - they mislead the track, try to seek it locally a few times and failing to do that they return the pick-up to it's initial position (disc start) and then move it back to the playing track.

So does my MD unit, few times a minute every now and then, especially when uploading small recordings via SS.

What do you think?

(Note: the Hi-MD is almost new and probably not very much fragmented, having undergone only couple of deletes of selected files)

Our RH10s and RH910s produce identical noises as you describe above. Seeking is normal, especially with the short tracks.

Cheers

[chriswyatt]

I like the noise

[denes44]

I also have similar "problems". I just bought a used MZ-R501 and it's producing very strange noises (see the attachments).

So you say, it's normal?

md_audio.mp3

[ares139]

I also have similar "problems". I just bought a used MZ-R501 and it's producing very strange noises (see the attachments).

So you say, it's normal?

Hmmm... I have a newly acquired MZ-NHF800 and it doesn't sound anything remotely like that MP3. It sounds exactly like my MZ-NH600 and MZ-NH600D. Whirls, seeks, and that's about it. Yours sounds like it's having problems spinning up or something.

[denes44]

Hmmm... I have a newly acquired MZ-NHF800 and it doesn't sound anything remotely like that MP3. It sounds exactly like my MZ-NH600 and MZ-NH600D. Whirls, seeks, and that's about it. Yours sounds like it's having problems spinning up or something.

It's an MZ-R501 not an MZ-NHF800, but this was the best topic that I found.

[Avrin]

Comparing the two sounds of the two R501s here, I only find that the head assembly drive gear in the second one is a bit louder. Probably, the gear is not as tight as in the first unit. Still, I hear no problematic sounds (like the laser desperately trying to focus for a long time, etc.). If the unit works OK, you'll simply have to live with that noise.

Edited January 18, 2008 by Avrin