Need Some Purchasing Help (mdlp W/optical Out)

[m&k]

I'm looking for a home deck with an optical out to transfer my mdlp field recordings to my computer.

I'd like to compile a list of decks that would fit my needs so that I can start hunting on eBay for one.

I have no need for netMD or Hi-MD. I don't even need the deck to record. I just need something that will allow me to skip any analog stage before I master my recordings to CDR.

So far, the equipment browser is pretty daunting. I assume someone here has a pretty good grip on the equipment and could probably answer my question without even looking it up.

My needs are simple and I assume satisfied by fairly out-moded equipment. hopefully, this will work to my advantage and I'll be able to find a deal.

Thanks in advance.

[dex Otaku]

http://www.minidisc.org/equipment_browser.html

Have fun - especially useful for matching models found on eBay, which are often posted with incomplete or outright incorrect specs.

[KJ_Palmer]

Well, I'm happy with my MDS-JB980 deck for this purpose... also good Sony decks would be:

MDS-JE780

MDS-JB940

MDS-JE770

MDS-JE640

or, of course the MDS-JA333ES (bit overkill for you though)...

Not sure about any other make of decks, but as long as they have MDLP/optical out I'd bet they'd be good for you...

[1kyle]

Well, I'm happy with my MDS-JB980 deck for this purpose... also good Sony decks would be:

MDS-JE780

MDS-JB940

MDS-JE770

MDS-JE640

or, of course the MDS-JA333ES (bit overkill for you though)...

Not sure about any other make of decks, but as long as they have MDLP/optical out I'd bet they'd be good for you...

←

MDS-JB980 if you can find one is really great . You've made the correct choicce there -- I'm even looking for a 2nd one myself.

I think when you can find them they can be had for around 100 USD --most people are too dumb these days or have been "Ipoded Duped" to understand what high end kit either is or sounds like.

If you do find a JB980 you won't regret it --- I was also lucky as I managed to find a black one --most are silver coloured which wouldn't have fitted in with the other gear on my rack.

Some people are just beginning to (re-) discover this deck so it might not be so easy or cheap anymore to find it --certainly not at the 100 USD I paid.

Almost the best 100 USD I'ved ever spent in my life --get the JB980 awesome piece of kit for the price. It's so near Sudio Quality that you could really consider it as Pro gear. Of course Optical out.

Incidently the Optical out into a Computer Optical In ignores any SCMS bits. Record in real time say in .WAV with any decent compter software such as Total Recorder etc.

BTW the JB980 also has a USB connection if you want to use Sonic Stage (Ugh!!) and it also has a slot for direct (computer) keyboard so you can type text in without having to be connected to a computer.

Cheers

-K

Edited July 17, 2005 by 1kyle

[MDX-400]

If you have some electronics and soldering knowledge, you can even add the JE440, JE470 and JE480 to the list of MDLP playing decks and optical output--those units can be modded for a few dollars in parts and a little time, to have optical out!

Also, 1Kyle, nice find of a JB980 for $100 USD! Back in the day (like 2-3 years ago now maybe) I found a JB920 at the same price on eBay which was a great price for back then. There are often good deals like that to be found on eBay! But I'm thinking the $100 JB980 is a little more exception than the rule, no? Because I'm still seeing lesser decks go for quite a bit more than that and JB980s bidding up pretty high, especially when they are in places like the UK (where stuff is more expensive to begin with).

Only omissions I never liked with the JB980 were the dropping of Control-A1/A1-II (and therefore the RecIt feature which I find very useful in my own experience), and the dropping of one optical input. But I guess the NetMD features were supposed to make up for that. Nice that it has the standard keyboard input still, I didn't realise that. I thought with NetMD they would have omitted that too.

[m&k]

I may very well have to look into the DIY modification since what I'm seeing on eBay either doesn't have the specs I want, or the price is just out of my budget.

I don't really use MD on a regular basis. I'm still using CDRs and my iPod. The MD is for field recordings and the deck would be to transfer them for mastering on the computer, then burning to CDR.

Maybe once I get the deck I'll change my mind and use MD more frequently....

How difficult is the modification? I'm no expert with soldering, but I have a buddy that could help.

Thanks.

[MDX-400]

How difficult is the modification? I'm no expert with soldering, but I have a buddy that could help.

Thanks.

Mod for the JE440:

http://www.minidisc.org/sony_mdsje440_optical_out_mod.html

Mod for the JE770:

http://www.mtsu.edu/~hhw2b/470mod.html

I didn't see one listed for the JE480 but note that the above two are very similar as a lot of the JE4x0 JE7x0 and JE6x0 (where x is = or > 4) units used similar internals; all you really need is +5V, GND and the digial output signal (all of which are either found in the above or the service manual) and the parts and you're set. Drill a hole in the back panel, assemble/solder the parts as required and you've got your self a $100 or so MD deck that has digital out.