fraseyboy Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I need help from the proffesionals (you peoples) making the decision on what Minidisc/music player to buy.I have an incredibly small budget of around $70US but I would prefer to spend under $40US as any more than that I will have to pay half with my parents for christmas and they are not happy about me spending too much money ...I only need around 300MB of space for all of my music as I dont have much and it also has to fit in my pocket because the reason why i need a new one is becuase my PSP is too big to fit in my pocket.So, I need some of you peoples help please. Which one would be best for my situation?1. NetMD MiniDisc player/recorder, AIWA NetMD AM-NX9, $40NZD or $27USD (may go up as the auction ends on saturday) http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction...asp?id=397762782. Hi-MD MiniDisc player/recorder, Sony MZ-NH600 $125AUD or $94USD http://www.minidisc.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=461The last option isn't really a MinDisc player but plays 8cm MP3 CD-RW's which store around 180MB per disc. Seeing as this isn't enough, I would have to carry a extra disc apart from the one in the player with me...3. Phillips Pocket Expanium 8CM MP3 CD-RW player $25NZD or $17USD http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction...8281&permanent=So what do you people think I should get bearing in mind I have a low budget (saving for future and stuff you know? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 (edited) From the alternatives on your list, get the NH600. The Aiwa will be used, and you don't know how badly it's been used. (The photo looks like a stock photo, not the unit itself.) Also, Hi-MD holds more music per disc and is more versatile. Make sure it is NH600 and NOT NH600D. The NH600 will record through line-in (amplified sources, not just a plain mic). The NH600D is only for downloading music from your computer. With the recording capacity of the NH600, say you run into a copy-protected disc that won't be transferable from your computer. With the NH600 you could always hook up a cord to the headphone jack of your CD player and simply record it in real time.Also, have you looked at Ebay? Some of the NetMD units like the Aiwa should be there, too. You could try any Sony model that begins MZ-N . Models made essentially for downloading music from your computer, like the NE410 (download only) or the MZ-N505 (downloading and line-in recording) should be cheap--but again, look at the condition. With any of those old units, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE THAT COMES WITH THEM. Get SonicStage 3.3, or at the very least 3.2 --look in the Downloads section here. Another alternative, since you mostly want playback, would be to save for a while and get a (much smaller) solid state MP3 player. Edited November 8, 2005 by A440 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraseyboy Posted November 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 From the alternatives on your list, get the NH600. The Aiwa will be used, and you don't know how badly it's been used. (The photo looks like a stock photo, not the unit itself.) Also, Hi-MD holds more music per disc and is more versatile. Make sure it is NH600 and NOT NH600D. The NH600 will record through line-in (amplified sources, not just a plain mic). The NH600D is only for downloading music from your computer. With the recording capacity of the NH600, say you run into a copy-protected disc that won't be transferable from your computer. With the NH600 you could always hook up a cord to the headphone jack of your CD player and simply record it in real time.Also, have you looked at Ebay? Some of the NetMD units like the Aiwa should be there, too. You could try any Sony model that begins MZ-N . Models made essentially for downloading music from your computer, like the NE410 (download only) or the MZ-N505 (downloading and line-in recording) should be cheap--but again, look at the condition. With any of those old units, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE THAT COMES WITH THEM. Get SonicStage 3.3, or at the very least 3.2 --look in the Downloads section here. Another alternative, since you mostly want playback, would be to save for a while and get a (much smaller) solid state MP3 player.Thanks for your advice (confirmed my fear that I'm gonna have to dissapoint my parents )It says at the very bottom that the Aiwa is 2 years old but has only been used for 1 year 'Near new condition. One minor scratch on the front cover.' which should mean its ok...I can't really look on Ebay as I am in New Zealand and it would cost a heap to pay for shippingWhat about the Philips Pocket Expanium? Its not a minidisc player but it is SOOOO cheap for almost new...What do you think about that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Do your local stores sell 8cm CD-Rs? Can you burn an 8cm CD-R in your computer? Check first. It looks cute, but you're going to have to make the CDs to feed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraseyboy Posted November 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 (edited) Do your local stores sell 8cm CD-Rs? Can you burn an 8cm CD-R in your computer? Check first. It looks cute, but you're going to have to make the CDs to feed it.Yes, I've checked, they sell 8cm CD's for pretty cheap and you can burn them in a normal CD burner. Its also smaller than a cassete tape LOLThe only problem with that is that the 8cm CD's only hold 180MB so I would need 2 to carry around to hold all my music collection wuch would be annoying but since they are so small at least they would fit in my pocket...I also checked, and its $125US in shops... Hmmm decisions decisions...I'm not sure carrying an extra CD would be any better than a PSP but it would sure save alot of moola (money)... Edited November 8, 2005 by fraseyboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobA Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Question, are you only using this for download from your computer? If so grab an nh600D, you should be able to find them for less than the nh600, the only difference is that it doesn't have line in. I got one off amazon for 88 bucks. Good luck with your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Go with the 600, or try and get some more money nd get a unit with mic in. The problem with a small disc like the 8 cm disc is that they are unprotected and scratch very easily. Go with hi-md, try tge Australia site, some great bargains there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraseyboy Posted November 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 (edited) Ok then, what about the Sony MZ-N710?It'll be better than the Aiwa surely coz its Sony and its only $10 more...Or the Sony MZ-N10... Its $20 more but it looks good... Edited November 9, 2005 by fraseyboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atrain Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 aiwa is a sony brand. i'd go with the himd over netmd for the far greater flexibility & options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepingInRlyeh Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 I severly dislike Philips products. With most of their electronics, they seem to drop support completely after the product is out of production. And I haven't been impressed with their quality.For non-MD, look at Creative, iRiver, and COWON. And of course Sony iPods are pretty cool, especially if you want to buy lots of accessories, but personally I think they're overpriced. Rio used to be highly regarded, but I think the company is having some kind of financial issues.As far as MD goes, I only have the regular MD, not the Hi. I got mine when HiMD came out and the prices dropped. My plan is to upgrade soon. But since you're in the shipping range of minidisc.au, I'd get the HiMD because that's a great deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 To buy non- Hi-MD units at this point will not lead to an optimal experience unless your severely limited by budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A440 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Don't get the N10. It looks cool, but the person selling it has probably lost one of the custom-sized parts like a battery or a connector, and you'll have a hard time replacing it. The NH600 will make you much happier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky191 Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 (edited) A NH600 or RH710 makes the most sense. If you can get a NetMD for €40 with a bunch of disks and assesories then maybe its would be ok. I've bought 3 used MD over the years. One has lasted for 3 yrs. The other a year but it sometimes doesn't read disks, which is a sign its about to fail. The last one a HiMD I've only for a few months, but is ok so far. However if you are on a tight budget you can also get a new portable CD (full sized) which would have a warranty. Something to consider. Edited November 10, 2005 by Sparky191 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMPlitude Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 i wouldnt know which of the two md portables to go for, but just steer clear of the philips and you'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.