MZ R50 troubles / upgrading decision

[tonka]

I don't know where to start... I've had this machine since 1998 and have been extremely happy although there have been times I considered upgrading but there didn't seem the need because I had an MD player/recorder that worked. This baby is taken with me *always*. I'm like Linus with his blanket and go back home if I accidently walk out of my house w/o my music.

Anyhoo, as it stands, the left channel of my earbuds have been cutting out and now the right, probably due to the pressure I've been apply to make a connection, which was working but now both the left and right are going. From my recently obessive search to fix the problem I've come to realize that my troubles started when I (like an idiot), placed my MD on the stove top (yeah, I know ), and then proceeded to recharge it (yeah, really I *now* know! ). It seems most likely according to minidisc.org's Minidisc Repairman Q&A, David Popovits, that the player experienced a mechanical shock to the earphone plug. He made 2 suggestions to another user quering about an R55, one was to replace the earphone socket. The other involved resoldering well all the contacts of the earphone socket to the circuit. E-frelling-Gad! Does anyone know anyone who can help my R50? I so love this machine!

Now, on another note a friend gave me his red, mint condition MZ-R900 but I've been looking at musicman's orange, JE MZ-RH-10, gawd that baby's b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! (I have the $ but really should not spend it) So the question is should I leave well enuf alone and stay with the red or try and go after that hot orange mama? But most importantly I need a recommendation for fixing my MZ-R50.

This is my first post, sorry for being so wordy and thanks in advance to all that respond.

Edited September 8, 2006 by tonka

[mmp64]

I don't know where to start... I've had this machine since 1998 and have been extremely happy although there have been times I considered upgrading but there didn't seem the need because I had an MD player/recorder that worked. This baby is taken with me *always*. I'm like Linus with his blanket and go back home if I accidently walk out of my house w/o my music.

Anyhoo, as it stands, the left channel of my earbuds have been cutting out and now the right, probably due to the pressure I've been apply to make a connection, which was working but now both the left and right are going. From my recently obessive search to fix the problem I've come to realize that my troubles started when I (like an idiot), placed my MD on the stove top (yeah, I know ), and then proceeded to recharge it (yeah, really I *now* know! ). It seems most likely according to minidisc.org's Minidisc Repairman Q&A, David Popovits, that the player experienced a mechanical shock to the earphone plug. He made 2 suggestions to another user quering about an R55, one was to replace the earphone socket. The other involved resoldering well all the contacts of the earphone socket to the circuit. E-frelling-Gad! Does anyone know anyone who can help my R50? I so love this machine!

Now, on another note a friend gave me his red, mint condition MZ-R900 but I've been looking at musicman's orange, JE MZ-RH-10, gawd that baby's b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! (I have the $ but really should not spend it) So the question is should I leave well enuf alone and stay with the red or try and go after that hot orange mama? But most importantly I need a recommendation for fixing my MZ-R50.

This is my first post, sorry for being so wordy and thanks in advance to all that respond.

This may seem sacreligious (sp?) - but since you like your R50 so much - how about getting another one on eBay. Don't know where you are but there are five out there right now for an average price of $50 or so... It of course would not be your security blanket, but you wouldn't have to get used to a whole new machine.

[sector001]

did u try another set of headphones? maybe is not the socket, but just your headphones. but yeah if u r happy with your R900, then why spend the money? like the previous poster said, ebay is another good source for MD gear.

[tonka]

thanks for the response [i was startin' to feel so alone ].

It's definitely not the headphones, I've tried 2 different remotes and the headphones with the same response.

As attached as I am to this baby buying someone else's R50 when I have a mint condition MZ-R900 seems a bit, well , stooopid. I have the R900 but my friend has to find the remote and the rechargable adapter but in case he can't find does anyone know the model adapter I would need to buy for this unit (I found the remote)?

Or do I buy this beautiful Japanese Edition RH-10?