Recommendations needed

[VanJay011379]

Hello,

I am relatively new to the board but I have started a couple of other threads and received some nice help from others regarding issues with my last minidisc player.

I had a Sony MZN-707 recorder. It was purchased for $65 used. However, it was having difficulty recording and I decided to return it.

I would like to purchase another recorder. I would like anyone's advice. I would like to have the following two specs.

+ around $100

+ microphone input

Thank you in advance.

[jaylen]

You probably want to go brand new and Hi-MD? If so, the NH700 sounds right up your alley.

[A440]

Jaylen is right. Just to expand a little, the MZ-NH700 is the Hi-MD equivalent of the MZ-N707--mic input, AA battery power--plus the advantages of Hi-MD: longer recording time, higher quality (PCM) if you want it, recordings uploadable to PC.

You can find unopened MZ-NH700 on Ebay for $100-$125, and both http://www.minidisco.com and http://www.minidiscaccess.com have them for $150. It's over your $100, but you will be much happier with a new Hi-MD than with an iffy used MD.

Edited May 15, 2006 by A440

[The Low Volta]

A440 means "unopened MZ-NH700 on ebay..." I guess

[VanJay011379]

Jaylen is right. Just to expand a little, the MZ-NH700 is the Hi-MD equivalent of the MZ-N707--mic input, AA battery power--plus the advantages of Hi-MD: longer recording time, higher quality (PCM) if you want it, recordings uploadable to PC.

You can find unopened MZ-N707 on Ebay for $100-$125, and both http://www.minidisco.com and http://www.minidiscaccess.com have them for $150. It's over your $100, but you will be much happier with a new Hi-MD than with an iffy used MD.

So I can just upload the songs from my recordings to PC without having to go through the sound card?

I didn't know this feature was so readily available.

[A440]

Although Sony has never done a decent job of marketing it, that's what Hi-MD is: the minidisc recorder that uploads. You still need to use SonicStage but SonicStage is largely reliable at this point.

And yes, I mistyped: I meant the NH700, not the N707.

JP

Edited May 15, 2006 by A440

[VanJay011379]

Thanks!

Can you use regular MDs on a HI-MD recorder? I may need to purchase one soon and I have a few extra regular MDs around.

Also, I noticed an NH900 at http://tinyurl.com/mt7ok and approx 16 hours left.

A NH700 is available at http://tinyurl.com/mcr45 with a bid of $41 and approx 16 hours left

What makes the NH900 that much better?

Finally, is it trustworthy to but from an eBay seller. The seller here says its new but is it trustworthy? The feedback would indicate the seller is ok.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[A440]

Yes, you can use regular MDs on a Hi-MD recorder.

The NH900 is thinner because it takes a flat gumstick battery. It also has a few more features, like a more expensive (though not necessarily better) amp for playback and some pitch controls. The remote has a display on it; the one with the NH700 doesn't. Look at http://www.minidisc.org under the BROWSER tab to see all the MD units' features.

The recording features on all the Hi-MD units are identical.

Personally, I prefer the NH700 because I like the easy replaceability of the AA battery. You could buy more gumsticks and keep them charged, etc., but it's a lot easier to find a AA battery in a pinch. Also, the battery latch of the NH900 needs to be taped shut or it can come open in your pocket. And the NH900 has Pause and Stop as two halves of the same button, which is troublesome. I had one; I sold it.

With the money you save on the MZ-NH700, get the RM-MC40ELK remote: lights up, shows recording level, inserts track marks while the unit stays hidden in your pocket.

Feedback is really all you can go by on Ebay sellers. If there's a lot of feedback--not just 2 or 3--and it's all good, you might as well trust them. There are some regular Hi-MD sellers on Ebay like pramit and digitallimits and minidiscmini--I've never dealt with them, but they seem to get more and more good feedback.

Sony Australia dumped all its 2004-model Hi-MDs at low prices and retailers like minidiscmini, minidisco, minidiscaccess, etc. bought them up. So new ones are still around. There might be a generic AC adapter in the package (Australian voltage is different) but that's not a big deal. I've had my MZ-NHF800 (same as 700 plus radio remote) for two years and I don't think I've ever used the AC adapter. When it's connected to the computer, the USB powers it anyway.

Edited May 16, 2006 by A440

[jaylen]

Here's the MDCF description of the NH900: http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH900.html

Here's the one for the NH700: http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH700.html

I'd list the differences for you, but I don't know what characteristics in which you'd be interested. One thing to note is that there have been some reports of the NH900's jog dial malfunctioning. Haven't read about anything significant happening to the NH700. Also, if you get a radio remote (37lt or 39lt), they are said to work with the NH700, but will not fit the NH900.

As far as trustworthiness on eBay, I'd say it's buyer beware, but there have been many successful sales and happy customers on eBay as A440 said, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'd check what the seller has sold recently (like if they are MD units or electronics of the same caliber).

Good luck!