MZ-RH10 vs MZ-NH1

[joplin]

Hi

I would love to know which of the Sony units MZ-NH1 or the MZ-RH10 which is better and why?

I welcome your opinion.

Thanks

Greg

[bobt]

This question has been here before, but for my $0.02 the NH1 wins hand down.

If you desperately need native MP3 the RH-10 has some advantages, but the few transcoded MP3's I've put on my NH1 sound good. Remember MP3 is not a fidelity format, but a space saver format. Battery life is good, if it's a big issue another battery can be purchased.

The NH1 also has the ability to record in the old MDLP formats directly, so if you have a car darck or older player the NH1 has points as well.

The RH-10 (and it's first cousin MZ-100) do look sexier with the oled display, and better battery options, and again if MP3 is a big part of your life, ability to play MP3's without transcoding to Atrac.

Bottom line both are fine, would have been considered magick 10 years ago, but I leen to the NH1.

Bob

[brandorf]

The NH1 has a magnesium/aluminum case, doesn't it? That would be reason enough for me.

The only real advantage that I feel the native MP3 players give you is additional sound quality. In my own testing, an MP3 at 320kbps sounds better than the Hi-SP(256kbps) recordings. So if you have high quality demands of your portable music player, that's something to consider.

[thatgift4u]

RH-10 is made in Malaysia

MZ-NH1 is made in Japan.

does that answer your question?

btw, i am selling both, brand new.

new in this forum, cheers. thatgift4u

[IdiotSavant]

There's actually been a post on this before... well not exactly, but it was interpreted as being a NH1 vs. RH10 post..

Check out this topic for some more NH1 vs. RH10 opinions

[MichaelBeardy]

RH-10 is made in Malaysia

MZ-NH1 is made in Japan.

does that answer your question?

←

To be honest, I don't think the country of manufacture needs make any difference to build quality these days. In my opinion the best built MD recorder I have is a Sharp made in Malaysia - solid as a rock and the engineering quality is exquisite (the laser sled runs on bronze bushes) - but then, it is a fairly old model.

Just my twopenn'orth,

Michael

[jonny mac]

The NH1 is better:

1. Smaller form

2. All metal build

3. Made in Japan (better quality)

4. Ability to record in all formats

5. Much better remote

6. Charging stand in all regions

7. Better battery life on internal

8. High definition digital amp

9. Less Euro-crippled than RH10 (but equal once hacked so this is minor)

Points where NH1 loses out

1. No external battery

2. No MP3 playback

3. Poor screen on main unit (but better on remote...)

[Christopher]

RH-10 is made in Malaysia

MZ-NH1 is made in Japan.

does that answer your question?

btw, i am selling both, brand new.

new in this forum, cheers.  thatgift4u

←

Seeing as your new here (welcome, by the by), I will spare you a warn for your nonchalant criticism of Malaysian made products. This is very frowned upon here at the forums, and it has been noted numerous times that quality Sharp and Sony devices have been made there with no woes whatsoever.

[MDX-400]

I will spare you a warn for your nonchalant criticism of Malaysian made products. This is very frowned upon here at the forums, and it has been noted numerous times that quality Sharp and Sony devices have been made there with no woes whatsoever.

Yep, I'll agree. I kinda laughed when I read that post at first. It is one thing to point out that one unit was made in Japan and the other in Malaysia but then to simply do that and then say "does that answer your question?" is a little silly. To put it bluntly, no that does not answer anyone's question! While the country of manufacture may play a role in a unit's quality you can't just state that and be done with it, you'd have to give reasons as to why it would be that way. (E.g. Perhaps one factory has lower QC standards and you know this because....).

If it is nothing other than "it has to be worse because it is made in Malaysia" that kind of thing doesn't go over well.

And if you think there haven't actually been series' of MD units where you'd wish you bought a Malaysia-made unit instead of a Japan-made one, you're dead wrong. Just check into how many Made-in-Malaysia N707s are still going compared to the number of problem-ridden Made-in-Japan N1s there are!

[skierMD]

I have both as well...

And I got the RH10 solely for the OLED screen. You can see the recording levels a lot easier. The NH1's build quality and appearance is superb.

[veezhun]

rh10 for sure... i was in the same dilemma and thanks to ishi and others, i got the rh10.. advantages

-battery pack.. this is a huge advantage IMHO when you are on the move for either recording or playback

-standard gumstick battery.. these are very cheap now

-OLED... you have to see it to believe it.... beaaaaautiffffffffullll

-charging without cradle... unlike the Nh1, you dont need to lug around a cradle to charge the device....

cheers

[1kyle]

The NH1 has a magnesium/aluminum case, doesn't it?  That would be reason enough for me.

The only real advantage that I feel the native MP3 players give you is additional sound quality.  In my own testing, an MP3 at 320kbps sounds better than the Hi-SP(256kbps) recordings.  So if you have high quality demands of your portable music player, that's something to consider.

←

This must be the first post EVER suggesting native MP3 (what's that anyway as it's all compressed) leads HI-SP for sound quality ---even a set of Vulcan Ears wouldn't come to that conclusion.

However the build quality of the NH1 means it will last you for years long after your RH10 has bit the dust and can still play the old formats.

I do like of course the OLED but maybe a 3rd gen unit will combine the best of ist and 2nd gen units.

Don't worry either about the built in battery of the NH1 --It's easy to change and if you carry a 2nd there's more than enough hours between re-charges.

You might also be able to find some good deals on a NH1 as it's not current anymore.

Cheers

-K

[greenmachine]

Will this codec war ever end?

[The Low Volta]

I agree with greenmachine... RH10><NH1 has got nothing to do with codecs and the eternal bickering which codec is better has no use whatsoever (bot in this thread...and not ever really IMHO)... just use what suits you and do not 'hate' ppl for using something else

about the RH10><NH1 issue:

for me it would be the RH10, mainly because I do not like the proprietary parts of the NH1 (battery, USB-cable) and the fact that it needs the remote/cradle to function properly (these often are the first parts to break in my exp) and I do like the OLED display of the RH10... or you could take the guess and just get the cheapest HiMD(-recorder) available at the moment and keep the big bucks till the third gen pops up (but when that will be and whether it will be significantly better is still uncertain)

[Damage]

Having used both RH910 (RH10 sans OLED, so it's a minior point), and NH1 extensively, I'd say...

NH1 wins, at least in SQ. I'll say it, the flavored sounds of NH1 and its HD Digital AMP goes a long way in making even the HiLP sounds track good (with my XD200/400). The thinner formfactor also makes the NH1 a nice piece of bling, and it makes for a very fancy pocket watch.

That's just me though.

[greenmachine]

Is the advantage in SQ of a digital amp real or just imaginary?

[g52ultra]

lets see "eye candy display over metal quality construction"

looks like MZ-1 wins. I have MZ-1 and MZNH900. I prefer the 900 better and it's slightly cheaper.

1. Contrary to popular belief, the MZNH900 IS made out of metal too. The plastic is on the LCD, just as it is on the proclaimed "All Metal" NH1

2. Contrary to popular belief, NEITHER model "USB charges." Despite Sony's deceptive ad, "USB powered" does not mean "USB charging!" IT CLEARLY STATES THAT IN BOTH MANUALS. It will not charge the battery on USB! Perhaps Sony needs to learn things from Zen Micro.

3. The MZNH900 uses a standard USB cable with the small connection. MZ1 uses a proprietary one and its larger and flimsy.

4. On the MZNH1 the docking cradle must be used to charge the unit. You do not need to carry around the docking cradle to charge the 900.

5. 900's display is easier to read.

Too bad Sony cant make an OLED unit in an aluminum structure with USB power that actually charges the battery, too!

[atrain]

please relax a little gultra. good points though.

[g52ultra]

please relax a little gultra. good points though.

←

..uh, sorry, atrain. you can nuke my post or perhaps move it. It just kinda bothers me to see so much fawning over these things on this forum and there is a lot of misleading info out there about the HiMD players- and it's Sony that is the primary misleader. As a result I now have two HiMD players (MZ-NH1 and MZ-NH900) and each one is a compromise.

I used to have a Sony MZR900. This was the STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE in a pocket music recorder:

1. Shirt pocket sized portable recorder

2. Metal construction

3. Versatile I/O (lines in/out/digital/analog, ya name it)

4. Manual recording level adjustment

5. Fully functional when plugged into a charger (I never would have even thought of that being a consideration in buying ANY pocket music player,until I bought my MZ1).

6. Killer looks. Did I say metal construction?

I would have hoped they would have evolved with HiMD. It would have been audio extacy if they had all that AND the ability to record and play WAV files.

They didn't evolve. Sony was (and is) marketing all this technology for years and they still refuse to package it that way into one clearly defined product.

Sad thing is that MZ1 would have upstaged MZR900, except for one severe crippling feature- that charging cradle:

1. Not only do you have to carry a wall wart with you, you also have to carry the charging cradle with you!

2. There is no "normal" power jack on the MZ-1. It get charged through the Sonys proprietary jack- ON THE CRADLE. There also is no "aftermarket" charger that will allow you to charge the MZ-1 in a car- unless YOU USE THE CRADLE!

3. Cannot change disks if you have the thing plugged into the wall, because THE CRADLE prevents you from opening it.

What were they thinking?

MZ-NH900 is the closest you can get- you get the aluminum (most of it anyway)and most importantly you get the versatility, because you are not dependant on the charging cradle.

The beauty of the MZR900 was captured in the MZ-NH1, but Sony's choice in using that horrible proprietary connector and it's dependancy on that charging cradle ruined it. WHY couldn't they have just built a standardized Mini USB connection and a power jack into it like they did on it's slightly cheaper cousin- the MZ-NH900? They got all the stuff to do it! If Sony thinks that they can go up against the Zen/IPOD market, they need to stop making white elephants and build one hot player to go after them and catch a little of that market! And throw in OLED, to boot! Nobodies got that!

My MZ-NH1 really has only one use for me: It's the ultimate (and best looking) MO drive for file storage and file transfering on the market! USB powered, a gig of storage, all for $300, too. No fudging around with burnin' CD's or having to find drivers for USB pen drives or flash card readers. The player AND the discs will fit in your pocket! Try doing that with an Iomega or a Castlewood Orb drive! Don't even need to find drivers. Plug and play/drop and drag on everything from Windows 98SE to Windows 2003 server. Not what I intentionally bought it for, but at least it's worth something to me. I actually like it better than my pocket USB hard drive.

But perhaps it would be nice if Sony would actually let you LISTEN to music files that were transferred this way. Creative Labs and IRiver players let you do this, through the players BIOS (firmware)- and CL and IRiver even built versatility into the players for firmware upgrades. I guess heaven forbid that Sony (being a music publisher) would even think of offering the consumer this feature! Geez, where was all this great MO technology 5 years ago when Nomad players hit the market and the hottest thing in file storage was Zip 100/250's (oh, I forgot- Sony MO drives were overpriced!) Too bad my IPAQ PDA wont read HiMD media. That would be one less thing I'd have to carry to work.

Sony really needs to look at things like IPODs/Rio Karma's/IRiver's, Zen Micro's and even the Nomad 3 (which despite its horrible packaging is still the perfect compact digital recorder, not quite pocket sized, but smaller than a porta CD player). USB charging for one and no weird cradles. And take every best feature that they have packaged, and package it into something clearly identifyable to the consumer. Kill the "Walkman" name too, cause everybody thinks of casette players and throw some marketing behind it. Nobody has that OLED feature! And the Sonic Foundry software isn't a bad piece, it's just the Sony machines proprietary (and hostile) firmware that makes it bad.

I was tempted to modify the MZ-NH1 USB cable for charging. Somebody here claimed they were going to attempt this but never followed up on it. I don't want to be the guinea pig on this-i'd be destroying a perfectly good portable USB MO data drive!

Edited August 19, 2005 by g52ultra

[g52ultra]

Seeing as your new here (welcome, by the by), I will spare you a warn for your nonchalant criticism of Malaysian made products. This is very frowned upon here at the forums, and it has been noted numerous times that quality Sharp and Sony devices have been made there with no woes whatsoever.

←

"nonchalant": behaving in a calm manner, often in a way which suggests lack of interest or care. I'm new here too, but that doesn't mean either of us are stupid in your reference to being "nonchalant." I though this was a forum. It appears you have a personal issue with the comment more than a professional one. It is this persons feeling on this issue.

"A person who has no hope in having a quality of living has no concern in productivity"- Deming, 1938. Check out a McDonalds or a Walmart sometime.

Edited August 19, 2005 by g52ultra

[musicman]

I am a bit confused here G52ultra, are you talking about MZ-1 the first MDR or MZ-NH1?????????????????? or maybe just a typo cause you type too fast.

..uh, sorry, atrain. you can nuke my post or perhaps move it. It just kinda bothers me to see so much fawning over these things on this forum and there is a lot of misleading info out there about the HiMD players- and it's Sony that is the primary misleader. As a result I now have two HiMD players (MZ-NH1 and MZ-NH900) and each one is a compromise.

I used to have a Sony MZR900. This was the STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE in a pocket music recorder:

1. Shirt pocket sized portable recorder

2. Metal construction

3. Versatile I/O (lines in/out/digital/analog, ya name it)

4. Manual recording level adjustment

5. Fully functional when plugged into a charger (I never would have even thought of that being a consideration in buying ANY pocket music player,until I bought my MZ1).

6. Killer looks. Did I say metal construction?

I would have hoped they would have evolved with HiMD. It would have been audio extacy if they had all that AND the ability to record and play WAV files.

They didn't evolve. Sony was (and is) marketing all this technology for years and they still refuse to package it that way into one clearly defined product.

Sad thing is that MZ1 would have upstaged MZR900, except for one severe crippling feature- that charging cradle:

1. Not only do you have to carry a wall wart with you, you also have to carry the charging cradle with you!

2. There is no "normal" power jack on the MZ-1. It get charged through the Sonys proprietary jack- ON THE CRADLE. There also is no "aftermarket" charger that will allow you to charge the MZ-1 in a car- unless YOU USE THE CRADLE!

3. Cannot change disks if you have the thing plugged into the wall, because THE CRADLE prevents you from opening it.

What were they thinking?

MZ-NH900 is the closest you can get- you get the aluminum (most of it anyway)and most importantly you get the versatility, because you are not dependant on the charging cradle.

The beauty of the MZR900 was captured in the MZ-NH1, but Sony's choice in using that horrible proprietary connector and it's dependancy on that charging cradle ruined it. WHY couldn't they have just built a standardized Mini USB connection and a power jack into it like they did on it's slightly cheaper cousin- the MZ-NH900? They got all the stuff to do it! If Sony thinks that they can go up against the Zen/IPOD market, they need to stop making white elephants and build one hot player to go after them and catch a little of that market! And throw in OLED, to boot! Nobodies got that!

My MZ-NH1 really has only one use for me: It's the ultimate (and best looking) MO drive for file storage and file transfering on the market! USB powered, a gig of storage, all for $300, too. No fudging around with burnin' CD's or having to find drivers for USB pen drives or flash card readers. The player AND the discs will fit in your pocket! Try doing that with an Iomega or a Castlewood Orb drive! Don't even need to find drivers. Plug and play/drop and drag on everything from Windows 98SE to Windows 2003 server. Not what I intentionally bought it for, but at least it's worth something to me. I actually like it better than my pocket USB hard drive.

But perhaps it would be nice if Sony would actually let you LISTEN to music files that were transferred this way. Creative Labs and IRiver players let you do this, through the players BIOS (firmware)- and CL and IRiver even built versatility into the players for firmware upgrades. I guess heaven forbid that Sony (being a music publisher) would even think of offering the consumer this feature! Geez, where was all this great MO technology 5 years ago when Nomad players hit the market and the hottest thing in file storage was Zip 100/250's (oh, I forgot- Sony MO drives were overpriced!) Too bad my IPAQ PDA wont read HiMD media. That would be one less thing I'd have to carry to work.

Sony really needs to look at things like IPODs/Rio Karma's/IRiver's, Zen Micro's and even the Nomad 3 (which despite its horrible packaging is still the perfect compact digital recorder, not quite pocket sized, but smaller than a porta CD player). USB charging for one and no weird cradles. And take every best feature that they have packaged, and package it into something clearly identifyable to the consumer. Kill the "Walkman" name too, cause everybody thinks of casette players and throw some marketing behind it. Nobody has that OLED feature! And the Sonic Foundry software isn't a bad piece, it's just the Sony machines proprietary (and hostile) firmware that makes it bad.

I was tempted to modify the MZ-NH1 USB cable for charging. Somebody here claimed they were going to attempt this but never followed up on it. I don't want to be the guinea pig on this-i'd be destroying a perfectly good portable USB MO data drive!

←