Sony MDS-S500 vs Onyko MD-105FX Compact MD Decks

[viiv]

Ok, I need a compact MD deck to put beside my Sony Micro-System CMT-ED2U. It's an older unit about 6 years old but a really high quality unit. My Sony System has RCA in and outs as well as an optical out so it would be great to hook up a compact MD deck to it since I will easily be able to record off the Cassette, CD and radio and be able to play back MDs through its "MD" input. Now the compact ones that are available off Audiocubes is the Sony MDS-S500 and the Onyko MD-105FX. The advantages with the Sony is: it's $20 cheaper as well as it has "ATRAC Type-R DSP", it's a Sony the inventor of MD, I guess it also has the Sony "signature sound" that's the reference for MD and I've read that Sony decks have the best DACs? However the BIG negative about it vs the Onyko is HI-MD support. However at the current moment I do NOT have a single HI-MD device or even a HI-MD disc. So which should I get? Would the Oynko have as good sound as the Sony? I see people here are still waiting around for a Sony HI-MD deck even though it looks that they may never ever release one. So with that bleak information if the Oynko is any good than why are people still waiting for a Sony deck?

Edited July 3, 2006 by finalcoolman

[Richard]

Rest assured the Onkyo components are very high quality and fully backwards compatible. ( I speak from my experience with the Hi-MD bookshelf - but I have heard good user feedback on both Onkyo Hi-MD decks too).

I don't think you need to worry about the SQ with the Onkyo I'm pretty sure it will be at least as good as the Sony if not better.

[viiv]

Ok, but what version of ATRAC does Onyko use. Sony currently uses ATRAC DSP Type-S (which is the newest version for ATRAC3 and contains the latest version of ATRAC SP Type R). I know there are older versions of SP before Type-R: 5.0, 4.5, 4.0 etc... Standard SP recordings for me are very important and I just want to know what ATRAC version Onyko currently employs.

Edited July 3, 2006 by finalcoolman

[Richard]

Ok, but what version of ATRAC does Onyko use. Sony currently uses ATRAC DSP Type-S (which is the newest version for ATRAC3 and contains the latest version of ATRAC SP Type R). I know there are older versions of SP before Type-R: 5.0, 4.5, 4.0 etc... Standard SP recordings for me are very important and I just want to know what ATRAC version Onyko currently employs.

The manual for the 105FX states it uses Atrac Type-S DSP.

[viiv]

The manual for the 105FX states it uses Atrac Type-S DSP.

Really that's awesome. Is an english manual posted on the net? That would answer alot of questions for me.

P.S> It can read and write ATRAC3plus correct?

[Richard]

Really that's awesome. Is an english manual posted on the net? That would answer alot of questions for me.

P.S> It can read and write ATRAC3plus correct?

Unfortunately the manual is in Japanese. It will record in Atrac3+ 64/256/PCM - but if it's the same as my bookshelf it will read all atrac3+ rates including 192,352 & Atrac 3 132 on Hi-MD formatted discs. It will also record to Standard MD formatted discs in SP / LP2 / LP4 / Mono.

Manual:

[attachmentid=1831]

PS: If you do buy the Onkyo you may want to look at pricejapan as it could well work out cheaper than Audiocubes.

md_105fx.zip

[viiv]

Ok, I just got price quotes for both the Sony MDS-S500 and Onyko MD-105FX. The price difference is a whopping $3. So since these are the only two compact MD decks currently available which should I get? I'd prefer the Sony if it wasn't for the HI-MD. As for the Onyko the thing that troubles me is it is a componant of a larger Onyko stereo system and thus is designed to interoperate with it. I do not have the Onyko system and I am fearing some interoperability issues running with my Sony microsystem. That's why I'm leaning towards the Sony despite the lack of HI-MD. Whats the chance that Sony will ever update the S500 to like an S600 that will add HI-MD in the same compact form factor?

Edited July 6, 2006 by finalcoolman

[Richard]

Ok, I just got price quotes for both the Sony MDS-S500 and Onyko MD-105FX. The price difference is a whopping $3. So since these are the only two compact MD decks currently available which should I get? I'd prefer the Sony if it wasn't for the HI-MD. As for the Onyko the thing that troubles me is it is a componant of a larger Onyko stereo system and thus is designed to interoperate with it. I do not have the Onyko system and I am fearing some interoperability issues running with my Sony microsystem. That's why I'm leaning towards the Sony despite the lack of HI-MD. Whats the chance that Sony will ever update the S500 to like an S600 that will add HI-MD in the same compact form factor?

Not much chance that Sony will bring out a Hi-MD deck for the time being. There is also the slightly more expensive Onkyo MD-133. If you are just connecting cd to md deck via optical in, I don't think there can be many interoperability issues. The Onkyo should be able to do synchro dubbing from any source. I would go for the Onkyo myself as it is more flexible.

[viiv]

Oh, I have one more question that may influence my decision. Would a Sony MD deck and a Sony Microsystem share the same remote codes? Like if I press power on my stereo's remote will it turn on my MD deck, etc...? Would they interfere with each other like that or will one remote not bother the other sytem?

Not much chance that Sony will bring out a Hi-MD deck for the time being. There is also the slightly more expensive Onkyo MD-133. If you are just connecting cd to md deck via optical in, I don't think there can be many interoperability issues. The Onkyo should be able to do synchro dubbing from any source. I would go for the Onkyo myself as it is more flexible.

No definantly not the MD-133. Remember it's all about the size issue for me. If I didn't have a space concern I'd get the much cheaper full size Sony MDLP decks.