DaikenTana Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 (edited) Hi allI'm a tad new to this whole MD thing, and I was just wondering why people choose the RH10 over the NH700. Why is that? Is the NH700 getting old or something? I've also been told that the NH700 has a few nicer features than the RH10 (like the jog-dial and the use of AA batteries) so I'm confused as to why the RH10 is the most common choice. Is it because it's more expensive or what?A lot of people also seem to be after the RH910. Can I please get a user's opinion on these? Edited June 26, 2005 by DaikenTana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 Rh10:- pos: MP3 playback (though slightly crippled) and a very beautiful OLED-display- neg: easily scratchable, only japanese version comes with LCD-remote & charging stand, one of the expensive machinesNH700:- pos: low priced, very decent (has most of the needed functions), runs of (cheap) AA-batts- looks cheaper than the more expensive models, is a bit bulkier cause of AA-intakethese are actually two machines you'd buy for different reasons I guess...the NH700 when you prefer practicality and lower price over looks and don't need MP3, RH10 when looks and/or MP3-support matherbut the best IMHO still is the NH900...greetings, Volta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 I think Dex Otaku has both, so maybe he will offer his wisdom. In the meantime, I have the NFH800, which is the same as the NH700 with an FM remote I never use. I suggest that if you can still find a NH700 at a good price, snap it up. It's thicker than the RH10 because of the battery bulge, but that is not a big deal, and the fact that it uses an AA battery is a huge plus. A Duracell or good rechargeable will play all day and record for at least five hours. (I change them when they go down to two out of four bars, so there's more time left.) The RH10 is slightly longer than the NH700, so as far as bulk goes, it's a toss-up. The RH10 case is shiny (bad for stealth) and impractical because it's so scratch-prone. Meanwhile, the jog dial is easy to use, though the display is not lit. The MP3 "support" in the RH10 is bogus because it sounds bad and you still have to use SonicStage to get the music onto the MD, no drag-and-drop. For the second generation to eliminate direct recording in old MD modes (SP, LP2) was not a worthwhile tradeoff. Yes, the RH10 has a nice display. If you want to spend the extra money, get an RM-MC40ELK remote and you'll have a backlit remote that's equally useful. I'm thinking of getting an NH700 or another NHF800 as a spare, because by the time Sony gets to third-generation, the units will probably glow in the dark, have a 10-second battery life and not even play the old MD modes. It's devolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 (edited) Yeh, I just knew the NH700 would be a good idea. I can pick it up with its bonus pack for $350 AUD over here, which IMO is a shear bargain. I've also got two pairs of $70 rechargable batteries which I use for my camera, so there's no problems there.I already have a 15gb iPod, so I don't need to worry about playback features with an MD Recorder. The NH700 is looking pretty good to me at the moment, but the NH900 which Volta mentioned is looking pretty good too. Edited June 26, 2005 by DaikenTana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 The NH700 it is! Can I just ask, does it present you with an on-screen input meter of some kind which shows you how loud the Line/Mic signal is coming through? Or do you play it by ear? (which would be hard considering the TFB-2s are in-ear mics) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Low Volta Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Can I just ask, does it present you with an on-screen input meter of some kind which shows you how loud the Line/Mic signal is coming through?there are indicators and dots that signal -12dB and 0dB (I think) but no backlit LCD means that you can only use these in lit surroundings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 It has the same level meter as the remote: two parallel (left and right channel) horizontal lines with dashes. It's on the bottom left of the screen and the 0dB dash is right under the colon in the time readout (between 3 and 00 in 3:00). Reading it in the dark is impossible. If you're recording in the dark you'll need a little white flashlight (not blue or red). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 I'm a tad new to this whole MD thing, and I was just wondering why people choose the RH10 over the NH700. Why is that? Is the NH700 getting old or something? I've also been told that the NH700 has a few nicer features than the RH10 (like the jog-dial and the use of AA batteries) so I'm confused as to why the RH10 is the most common choice. Is it because it's more expensive or what?A lot of people also seem to be after the RH910. Can I please get a user's opinion on these?←I have both the NH700 and the RH10. First thing - check my review here.To rehash what's already said there:In terms of usability, the RH10 has few true advantages over the NH700. After a couple of weeks' use, I now find that the RH10 is easier to start recording with one hand. Handling is a matter of personal preference - I find that the RH10's roller rather than the NH700's jogdial is slightly more difficult to handle, for example. The overal design of the RH10 feels more like a tiny audio component, though - with jacks at the top, battery compartment at the bottom, AA sidecar on the side, and disc door opposite that. The layout makes more sense to me than older MDs did and the NH700 does.In terms of function, the RH10 has only two features that the NH700 doesn't: OLED display and the options for it, and the "file list" function which has the potential to be useful but I doubt I will be using very often [i almost never use the USB storage features, myself; it's faster to burn a CD-RW]. Otherwise they are functionally identical.The RH10's big advantages come from the much larger, self-emitting OLED display. Setting levels in pitch darkness [or a thunderstorm as I did the other night] without carrying a flashlight is now possible. The display on the NH700 is sufficient [3 small lines] but due to the depth at which it's set in the unit, it's difficult to read even in reasonable lighting conditions; the case itself shadows the display. In terms of recording, there is basically no difference between these units at all. The RH10 lacks the NH1's timestamping feature [sHAME ON SONY! for omitting such a simple feature] which is the only thing that separates the NH1 from the rest of the pack. Mic preamp, line input et al are basically identical across the board from what I've seen. I am just as confident using my NH700 to record as using the RH10. There is no clear superiority thing happening here.The RH10 includes the side-caddy for AA use, and the included NH-14WM [gumstick] battery provides truly surprising longevity. The AA caddy appears flimsy but if you're not totally careless with your equipment it shouldn't be any more of an issue than the NH700's [very solid] all-plastic construction.The MP3 feature of the RH10 is flawed, but I use it anyway. For portable listening, the 9dB difference in the high end isn't enough to bother me when I can just apply EQ to it anyway. The convenience of being able to deal with my large MP3 collection directly far outweighs the difference in sound. MP3 playback is closer to gapless than I've seen with any other hardware device, too.The RH10's biggest fault is the clear plastic coating on its face, which is easy to scratch or scuff. The NH700, despite being all-plastic, in fact appears to be far tougher; after 10 months' use [in some adverse environments, too], my NH700 is yet to be visibly scratched or scuffed. In fact, rather than scratches, the NH700's plastic case is showing wear through its silver paint instead. It looks like loving wear, though.In the end I'd say it's really a toss-up. My final criteria would be what your primary use is and budget; since the function of the two units is nearly identical, and the recording capabilities are arguably identical, if recording is your primary use and you're feeling budget-conscious, get a NH700 and a mini-maglite.If you can afford to spend more, the OLED display of the RH10 is worth it, IMO. In either case, the MP3 playback of the RH10 is little more than a bonus feature unless your primary use is as a portable player, not a recorder.Can I just ask, does it present you with an on-screen input meter of some kind which shows you how loud the Line/Mic signal is coming through?Low Volta answered this already, but here's a couple more notes on the matter:The meters have 9 segments; the bottom seg is about -40dBfs, the first dot [call it an HiMD equivalent to 0VU] is -12dBfs, and the top dot is the threshold below 0dBfs [clipping]. The actual top segment of the meter basically indicates that you're already clipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 (edited) Nice info, thanks! I've found the RH10 Japanese version on eBay for $390AUD ($35 shipping) Edited June 28, 2005 by DaikenTana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Anyone ever bought from Japan? These guys say the LCD is convertable to English. They include the English Manual and supply you with the appropriate adaptors and stuff for Australia. Too bad it's only two more days til the offer is up, gotta decide fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Mine came from Japan, from audiocubes. There's a note somewhere in the fora here on how to switch to Engilsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Cool. $430AUD... ouch... what's up with the higher price? $13 shipping to Aus though, that's pretty sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Mine came from Japan, from audiocubes. There's a note somewhere in the fora here on how to switch to Engilsh.←No, it came from ebay; a seller by the name of sunnylife_jp. Much cheaper than Audiocubes and less hassle, and will also honor any "gift" requests. Check 'em out, DaikenTana.As for obtaining a NH700 (if one were still interested), it seems to be prety difficult these days as most places that would carry it no longer do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Ah. I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 lol, How did Kurisu know where Dex got his goods?! Anyway, I suppose eBay is a bit cheaper, but the shipping is more so it kinda evens out.eBay: RH10 is $390AUD, shipping is $45 AUD Total: $435AUDAudioCubes: RH10 is $430AUD, shipping is $17AUD Total: $447AUDeBay is indeed cheaper, just. The only reason I originally chose AudioCubes is because they send you a transformer for your country for free, which is kinda nice.SunnyLife says he only has 1 day and 22 hours left, which seems silly because it's a 'Buy Now' item and not a biddable item. This eBay fellow, is his stuff completely unpackaged/brand new and straight from the supplier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishiyoshi Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 lol, How did Kurisu know where Dex got his goods?! Anyway, I suppose eBay is a bit cheaper, but the shipping is more so it kinda evens out.eBay: RH10 is $390AUD, shipping is $45 AUD Total: $435AUDAudioCubes: RH10 is $430AUD, shipping is $17AUD Total: $447AUDeBay is indeed cheaper, just. The only reason I originally chose AudioCubes is because they send you a transformer for your country for free, which is kinda nice.SunnyLife says he only has 1 day and 22 hours left, which seems silly because it's a 'Buy Now' item and not a biddable item. This eBay fellow, is his stuff completely unpackaged/brand new and straight from the supplier?←You do not need a transformer to use the RH10. Japanese RH10 comes bundled with 100-240V AC Adaptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 And as for USB power? Isn't there an issue there? I've heard the RH10 recieves power from the computer when connected to prevent it from draining out (like those damn iPods do) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Why would there be an issue? Yes, it charges while connected by USB. If you don't want it to, open the battery door. USB ports should all supply the same voltage and current worldwide, so that's not an issue.All HiMDs are powered by USB when plugged in that way, though not all charge the battery that way. There were so many requests for this as a feature after gen1 that is was included in gen2. I find it annoying, myself, but then, like I said - open the battery door, problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaikenTana Posted July 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 (edited) Cheers for the help fellas. I've just ordered a blue RH10 from eBay and an Attenuator and the TFB-2s from TSP, so pretty soon I'm gonna be reeeeal happy Edited July 13, 2005 by DaikenTana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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