Wanted: Md Deck

[raintheory]

I'm looking for an MD deck that is LP compatible and has an optical out. After much HiMD use, and lots of aggravation over not being able to upload my old recordings, I have decided to look into this so I can record my old LP2 discs via optical into my HiMD to transfer to the PC... I've had some luck with my (very) old SP recordings by doing this using my MZ-1 since it has an optical out.. But I need something now that will play LP..

Also it will be nice to just have a deck for home use.. So I don't always have to plug in my portables...

If anyone (preferably in the US) has one they are trying to get rid of, or knows where I might find one, PM me..

Thanks!

Edited July 19, 2005 by raintheory

[bobt]

It appears you are in the us, try ebay, or yahoo.

You can also check the electronics section of your daily newspaper or go to some yard or garage sales, never know what you might find, got a great Akai reel to reel deck a few years ago for $10.00.

Some retailers still offer the decks as well, try goole.

Good luck,

Bob

[woodeeee]

I know exactly what you mean about old recordings.

Ive been scouring eBay for a while, waiting for that 'elusive' MD deck bargain to arise, but so far they have all seemed to have sold for just above what i'm prepared to pay, for an already out-dated medium.

I've resisted buying a HiMD unit, on the basis that Sony still insist on inhibiting the transfer of private recordings.

I bought a CMT-M333NT bookshelf, as I needed to update the 'house stereo' and it covers everything i need for the moment.

I think i'll probably hold out for a while, and either invest in a M-Audio Flash Tracker in a few months (very nice peice of equipment for live recording) or give in a buy a MDLP-Optical-out capable deck sometime.

I did notice a JE440 quite cheap a few days ago, it requires a relatively easy mod for optical out.

-woodee

[raintheory]

Yeah.. I've already checked all the usual routes quite a few times already looking for one (eBay, Google, Yahoo!, etc.). They do seem to be pretty elusive. Though if I had a dime for each one I saw that wasnt LP, or that didn't have optical out...

I have a feeling I'll either end up seeing one for sale at a yard sale or pawn shop at some point. Or, worst case I may pick up one that can be modified to enable optical out.

[wheron]

What you need is the Sony MDS-E10 deck... unfortunately, out-of-production. I have one, but I'm not ready to part with it yet. Read this review to make your mouth water:

http://www.audiotstation.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=12019

There are two which are currently for auction at Ebay. Good luck!

[MDX-400]

What you need is the Sony MDS-E10 deck... unfortunately, out-of-production.  I have one, but I'm not ready to part with it yet.  Read this review to make your mouth water:

Uhh, the E10 definitely does fit the bill, but it is a bit of overkill, no? For what he wants, that deck is great but the price of it is going to be killer and there are many MDLP decks that have optical out for much less.

As touched on above, any of the MDS-JE440, JE470 and JE480 (all which pretty much go for around $100 US) can be modded for optical out for like $10 in parts and a little soldering knowhow. The mod really isn't that hard--3 wires plus the TOTTX emitter to solder and then a hole to drill and you're set.

If you do a quick search, there are a few threads around about modding a 4xx series deck, including one that was very recent (where I suggested the exact same thing, lol).

As for actually going from MDLP to the PC, I'd hope you're at least recording it to WAV (or a lossless equivalent) because copying it to another compressed format [transcoding it] is only going to make the quality even worse. I mean not to offend anyone that likes MDLP but LP2 really isn't that great to begin with and LP4? Well LP4 is just horrible! (Also the MZ-1 with its ATRAC 1.0--I can't see how that is possibly helping preserve quality of those SP recordings! I Don't mean to nitpick, but ATRAC 1.0 even as a decoder-only wasn't too great.)

[raintheory]

As touched on above, any of the MDS-JE440, JE470 and JE480 (all which pretty much go for around $100 US) can be modded for optical out for like $10 in parts and a little soldering knowhow.  The mod really isn't that hard--3 wires plus the TOTTX emitter to solder and then a hole to drill and you're set. 

...

As for actually going from MDLP to the PC, I'd hope you're at least recording it to WAV (or a lossless equivalent) because copying it to another compressed format [transcoding it] is only going to make the quality even worse.  I mean not to offend anyone that likes MDLP but LP2 really isn't that great to begin with and LP4?  Well LP4 is just horrible!  (Also the MZ-1 with its ATRAC 1.0--I can't see how that is possibly helping preserve quality of those SP recordings!  I Don't mean to nitpick, but ATRAC 1.0 even as a decoder-only wasn't too great.)

←

Yes I would definitely be recording to WAV, then converting to FLAC to archive the files. I plan on using optical out>HiMD PCM>Computer>FLAC..

Modifying one of those units sounds like the most reasonable (and fun) way to go about this.. The E10 would be a nice addition, don't get me wrong.. Though I would prefer to have a unit for my rack that has all of the E10 features, plus HiMD capability (full backwards compatibility of course), optical out, time machine recording, etc... "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"

How can we convince sony to give us the aforementioned?

BTW, if you come across any of the links for modifying those units.. please share, as that will most likely be the route that I take..

EDIT - I found a couple of links for the mods.. What tools are necessary though to modify these? Personally I don't have much experience with electronics and soldering, would it be terribly difficult to do?

Edited July 21, 2005 by raintheory

[woodeeee]

the mod instructions linked from minidisc.org should be easily enough to follow.

the hardest part of the mod would be to source the correct TOS optical emitter component.

granted i havnt spent an awful lot of time researching, but i havnt been able to source the component in the UK as yet, no doubt if i dug a bit deeper it wouldnt be too hard to source though.

The most important thing with regards to the soldering, do not solder any particular area for too long, as the heat emitted could quite easily damage other components on the PCB.

-woodee

[MDX-400]

EDIT - I found a couple of links for the mods..   What tools are necessary though to modify these?  Personally I don't have much experience with electronics and soldering, would it be terribly difficult to do?

Just looking at the mods quickly looks like all you need is a relatively low powered (maybe 20-30W) soldering iron, a screwdriver and a drill.

Parts, you'll need some light gauge wire (high wire gauge number--probably something like 22ga or near there), a compatible Toslink emitter (the main part which goes for around $8-$15 from what I've seen), solder and perhaps some electrical tape. The emitter should not be too hard to find they are usually available in standard pin arrangement/configurations, if possible go with a Toshiba made one as I think that is what Sony uses on their boards to begin with--it will match the input receiver right beside it.

If you don't have too much experience soldering, perhaps you have a friend or relative that does? If so it would probably be better to let them do the mod and just provide them with the parts and instructions and it should be relatively easy for them to follow. The hardest part is probably putting the emitter on--the holes/location for the emitter will be already present on the board however they will be solder-filled meaning you'll have to heat them up to push the emitter through.

Another note be careful with the 3 points you'll have to solder to on the board, for the wires. If they are very small (can't really tell from the pics), just *TOUCH* the iron, solder and wire to them quickly enough to connect them and no longer. IF they are small points and you leave the soldering iron on there for any appreciable time then you're sure to mess up the solder pad on the board. The points actually look normal sized so it shouldn't be a problem but if they do happend to be small, just be careful.