ILoveMinidisc Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Sad news but true Tdk Xa-pro is no more. Tdk has discontinued some minidisc amongst them the famous BITCLUB and XA-PRO. the website:http://www.tdk.co.jp/tjbbb01/bbb00100.htmHas a discrete word "(生産終了）" close to the Mds which translated means "End of production".For me it is very Sad Tdk Xa-pro ended before it was updated but seeing how the Minidisc marked is today is understandable. Tdk japan is currently only producing this Minidisc in Japan:-Tdk Ho (2003) -Tdk Wa (2006)-Tdk Fine (2006)- Tdk Clef (2005)I like to make a Memorial of one of the Greatest Minidisc ever made, not that i am going to make a memorial for all Minidisc blanks discontinued but trust me XA-PRO deserve it.TDK XA-PRO ERA==========================================================The Xa-pro MD is a 3d ARts construction Having 3 layers instead of the usual 2 layers on Md (Front/back) the third layer is a Aluminium alloy inbetween the front & back Only Tdk Xa-pro ( and md-rxg pro) MD has this.This Great Minidisc was released in 1998 But to understand the 3d Arts invention let us go back in time a bit.The year is 1981, Minidisc is Not invented yet Metal Tapes is starting to get famous. And tdk come up with an Genius idea a "Metal alloy tape" The first Luxury audiotape. it was called TDK MA-R. Around 1981 and 1982 several version was made:About 5 years later in 1986 TDK release what would become the most famous Metal tape ever TDK MA-XG and updated version of Tdk Ma-RIt seem there was another version of this tape that i was unaware of:In the 90s Tdk Update Ma-xg with FERMO totaly going away from the 80s concept and releasing a New design. 2 Version existed of the 90s Ma-xg tape The Japanesee version (Also sold in Europe) and the US versionThe differences between both version was reduced to mere Letters, US version had the word "Fermo" displayed on the tape and Japanesee version had the word "Ma-xg" except of this the tapes are Totaly equalThe US version can be identified by "New Ma-xg" on the sealed package while Japanesee version just said "Ma-xg" on the packaging. remember we talking about the Non-transparent 90s versionof Ma-xg here.Tdk Ma-xg Fermo was the LAST Tdk Ma-xg tape tdk ever made.Now back to Minidisc in 1998 Tdk did something realy good they Took the Concept of "3D arts metal alloy" of 80s Tdk Ma-xg tape and converted it into a Minidisc it was called Xa-proTdk Xa pro:In 1999 Tdk Xa-pro was released in europe as "Md-rxg Pro" so 2 versions also existed of this Minidisc but Both minidisc are Equal only difference is Europe version has "TDK" words displayed big over the Minidisc while Japan version has "TDK" on the shutter The european version look preetiest in my opinion:The minidisc is as you can see based upon the same concept as the Tdk Ma-xg 1986 tape.Upon the arival of the new milenium Tdk Also released a CD pro version based upon Xa-pro but as a CD can not be much of a design the Cdpro had a short life.Sometimes between 2003-2004 Tdk Europe discontinued "Tdk Md-rxg pro Minidisc" in Europe And Now Finaly we comes to end of the line of 3D arts metal alloy products with Xa-pro being discontinued in 2006.From here people has either to go Ebay to get Xa pro. Fortunaly Tdk Japan still make some cool minidisc like Tdk Ho or Tdk Wa.I like to Thanks Tdk for releasing both Ma-xg Tapes and Tdk Xapro MD. it was a pleasure as long it lasted. And Xa Pro will always be remembered as the BEST minidisc blanks ever released. Not even Sonys magnesium MD2000 could overgo the Xapro in my opinion.If someone has "XA PRO" Mds or Ma-xg (1986), Ma-r tapes(19981/1992) for sale i may buy them for a good fair price. if they are in mint condition. (I dont need more of md-rxg pro european version)Hope you liked my memorial of Tdk Xa pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UMWOOFWOOFF Posted December 15, 2006 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 I'm glad there is someone out there besides me who appreciates the more "special" tapes and MD's made over the years. I never was able to ever find any of these TDK discs however; its one of the few that I don't have. Now the cassettes, I have several. The days of "hard copy" media I'm afraid are pretty much over. Its such a lost art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekdroid Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 ah, the MA-XG brings back memories. I bought a total of ONE of those. I think I paid about 15 AU dollars or something. Just wanted to try one...Great tape, great weight and feel...and SMELL (and sound ;P) tho I was mostly into SA and SA-X back then... (If my memory serves...)I did buy the occasional metal tape for their "strong" high-impact sound...So the TDK XA-PRO were made with metal shells? Amazing.TDK were always quality.Maxell also made some great tapes.BASF were still using chromium dioxide for the longest time...and we all know what happened to BASF Gotta love TDK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILoveMinidisc Posted January 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 (edited) Lol, Yea the Smell of Ma-xg 1991 edition was FunnyMaxell had Metal vertex and Sony had SuperMetalMasterstill i found Ma-xg to be superiorlikewise with Minidisc Tdk Pro was the best Edited January 13, 2007 by ILoveMinidisc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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