Hi-MD - It's all about the sound...

[bobzilli]

For me the attraction to MD and Hi-MD has always been sound. For all the ongoing complaints about Atrac, I think it sound great. I've never heard a great Mp3 player, though I love the ease and convenience of my IPod (yes, I have one), I will not part wiith MD until I am convinced of an apt alternative. A second reason is I dont trust hard disk as I've lost everything on my computer and externals on more than one occasion/ So why am I writing? I want to know what others are thinking along these lines and why others are still using MD/Hi-MD. I appreciate and look forward to your thoughts

[A440]

For me the attraction to MD and Hi-MD has always been sound.

Pardon me if this is harsh, but the only thing I use Hi-MD for is recording.

At home, through decent speakers or good headphones, I listen to CDs. For portable use, MP3 at equivalent bitrates sounds just as good as ATRAC--check the actual blind tests at sites like http://www.hydrogenaudio.com --and MD is too big, too inconvenient, too difficult to playlist, too poorly displayed and too low in capacity to compare to my cute little Sansa E260. Would I get a warm, enveloping, nurturing, generous, sensual sound if I put PCM on my MZ-RH1 ? Sure, probably. But that unit is far too precious for me to use it as a portable player when--admit it--portable sound only has to be adequate, not exquisite. It's a noisy world out there.

[Strungup]

Pardon me if this is harsh, but the only thing I use Hi-MD for is recording.

At home, through decent speakers or good headphones, I listen to CDs. For portable use, MP3 at equivalent bitrates sounds just as good as ATRAC--check the actual blind tests at sites like http://www.hydrogenaudio.com --and MD is too big, too inconvenient, too difficult to playlist, too poorly displayed and too low in capacity to compare to my cute little Sansa E260. Would I get a warm, enveloping, nurturing, generous, sensual sound if I put PCM on my MZ-RH1 ? Sure, probably. But that unit is far too precious for me to use it as a portable player when--admit it--portable sound only has to be adequate, not exquisite. It's a noisy world out there.

Somewhat agreed 440 , but who says it has to be in Hi MD to sound good ?

I bought my first iTunes Music card yesterday , afer having my Macintosh experience for almost ayear nowgoing from the 1rst gen Macbook , to a Full fledged Macbook Pro Core2Duo . So I put my card in at iTunes , bought Synchronicity from The Police ( one of my all time favorite albums)

Burned it to CD Using iTunes Standard audio cd output w/no gap , Text etc turned on .

Result when I put it into my Cd Player , Optical out to Edirol MA-10D 's ( they really do sound good for there size) But I immediately noticed that it didnt sound very good compared to the real CD or Vinyl which I dont have at the moment , hence the download.

So I decide to make a copy for one of my guitar students , Optical to Sony MD , R50 , sync record , and Output the MD to the speakers to monitor .

Immediately after starting the recording , I stopped halfway across the room and had to turn around and question what I was hearing , It sounded so much better than the CD , I am not kidding , High frequencies were crispy , and a lot cleaner . That is the Atrac conversion doing its job .

Just my 2 cents .

(update ) I just bought Wish You Were Here , from iTunes Plus ( The DRM free zone , and higher bit rate ) The results were dramatic the standard iTunes , versus iTunes plus , WOW what a difference , went into File info , made slight volume adjustments (track 1 was a little low , 2 was a little high etc) Selected Gapless Albumn , dropped it to CD and am listening to it now , sounds pretty darn close to the real thing .( It is Being Put on MD as I type this)

Edited September 9, 2007 by Guitarfxr

[Nate A]

since MD is old and sort of a dead format, older used players are cheap. that, combined with it's recording capability ment I could get my MP3's onto a portable device smaller than a CD player and take to work. my comp is an old NT workstation with no USB support. so it's analogue for now.

after taking the plunge I learned from co workers w/ pods that they have no equalizer or tone controll, there's problems with DRM and sharing tunes, of course I can record from their pod but I can't share w/ them w/o a hassel.

anyway, MD units are bigger than a nano or other small devices, and their space is limited. but heck, I can bring a couple of 1 gig discs to work and honestly, I can't possibly listen to near 8 hrs of music at work, let alone 45 hrs worth. so capasity isn't really an issue. my NHF800 has fit in my shirt pockett in a metal shop all summer w/o any issues. I taped over the ports but the headphone jack so metal dust or sparks, drill chips whatever dosn't get in there. it's still light and easy to carry even with the battery lump.

any MD unit has cooler gadget factor than the ultra bland pods. I'm attracted to cool little machines and so I'm starting to accumulate more MD players...heh.

somewhere I read of a guy who liked it cause rather than pay for dowloaded music, he could just record the streaming audio via MD and get it free. (and gee, ya shure could...wonder why they stoped makeing these things.)

so...I guess I do like the sound quality too, but it's a bonus that came with the other cool things that are MD. sound quality is so highly dependant on source and setup. I plan on recording some of my old vinyl, but I know it'll be scratchy. I can deal with that.

for me MD bridges the gap between casette tapes in user process, and the file swaping modern process. it's got USB when I get a comp with it. (I know for alot of you it's like running water)

since I grew up making casette tapes of my records for the car etc, I don't get the whole DRM thing. I mean I get the idea-digital copies are too close to original yadda yadda...well if I own the CD or vinyl, I'm gonna do whatever I damn well please with it. including share a disk with a buddy if I ever meet another human with an MD unit. but I've never used limewire or napster or torrent...the MP3's or wav's I have off the net are just hanging out there for anyone. mostly DJ mix/mash or postings for feedback before larger release.

I doubt I'll stop buying CD's. I like having the object. but I still buy mostly from the used market. it's not about getting music free, but being free to do what I want with what I bought.

[Strungup]

Amen ! ( I think I am that guy recording the stuff off the net )

[Sparky191]

...A second reason is I dont trust hard disk as I've lost everything on my computer and externals on more than one occasion...

Learn to backup

Amen ! ( I think I am that guy recording the stuff off the net )

Given my HiMD a second life.

[Richard]

* Topic Moved to Hi-/MD Evaluations + Critiscisms section

[ZosoIV]

I too like the sound of PCM or LAME mp3's on the RH1, but I'm afraid to use it as a dedicated player - it's not like they can be purchased on the high street anymore, especially here in the US.

Besides, I've found that no portable (RH1 or otherwise) bests my 1-bit Marantz amp and Grado cans, fed PCM from my MacBook's optical output. The sound is much more spacious and the noise floor completely absent.

[bobzilli]

I too like the sound of PCM or LAME mp3's on the RH1, but I'm afraid to use it as a dedicated player - it's not like they can be purchased on the high street anymore, especially here in the US.

Besides, I've found that no portable (RH1 or otherwise) bests my 1-bit Marantz amp and Grado cans, fed PCM from my MacBook's optical output. The sound is much more spacious and the noise floor completely absent.

And that to me is the crux of the issue. I love the format and the ability to record and playback and reuse as needed and desired. But, if the format is no longer supported, my ability to safely continue with it is twarted and I am faced with bailing now and switching over to a new format or holdignon and hoping i can get media and hardware as needed. I'm really tire of changing formats. Ive lived through records, 8 tracks, cassettes MD, ( even DCC) and now Cd and mp3. Ahh....

[Strungup]

And that to me is the crux of the issue. I love the format and the ability to record and playback and reuse as needed and desired. But, if the format is no longer supported, my ability to safely continue with it is twarted and I am faced with bailing now and switching over to a new format or holdignon and hoping i can get media and hardware as needed. I'm really tire of changing formats. Ive lived through records, 8 tracks, cassettes MD, ( even DCC) and now Cd and mp3. Ahh....

But did you have the 8 Track RECORDER , from then ,...... and the fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror. ?

Dont ask me I aint talkin

[BIGHMW]

I will always continue to support the MiniDisc and Hi-MD formats, hey if it ain't broke, why fix it? As far as versatility is concerned, MiniDisc is king, the capability to re-arrange, edit, move or record tracks over and over again is the one plus that the beloved MD will have over anything that is out now or was out in the past, and probably will be better than stuff coming out in the future.

The ability of Hi-MD units, especially the RH1/M200 to upload and download at will off of any non-SonicStage source (uploading) is not only a godsend for all of us with legacy discs but also for those who want to backup their computer files in case their computer ever crashes due to a virus, and I think that is very important that we have these multiple formats of removeable hard-disc drives (CD, DVD, MD, Hi-MD, Zip, Floppy, etc.) in case, especially us PC users with all the malware and viruses we face out there (Guitarfxr and the other Mac users are so damn lucky they don't pick on them like they do on us).

I am currntly eyeing some other Hi-MD units out there, including an NHF800 to go in my Hi-MD family along with my 2 NH700s, my 2 RH710s and my RH1. I am also thinking about acquiring some NH600D units too for use with my Connects 2 units in my cars, just for the remote-control access that the conventional NH600 does not have.

Edited September 11, 2007 by BIGHMW

[Strungup]

Mac .... is a State of Mind !!!

[Strungup]

Speaking of sound, I had to go to Hardoff today to sell because I am so broke , but while I was there , in the Junk bin was a Perfect example of someone not following directions.

The owners manuals tell you very clearly not to use any chemicals when you clean your MD . So basically given to me was the Victor XM-D1

Other wise new , very little use , MSRP when new 1300 dollars .

The Powder Coat had vulcanized into a Gummy mess the WHOLE thing I spent the past three hours scrubbing the coating off with Carnuba Wax so as not to damage to under coating . The Labels were stenciled on the Rubber coating so as a result I will not have any Markers for the buttons .

But it is halfway cleaned , plugged in and currently playing Regina Carter , ........Yes It is ALL about the sound

And to the person who used the chemical that caused this mess ----> Read the friggin Manual

Edited September 11, 2007 by Guitarfxr

[Sparky191]

...for those who want to backup their computer files in case their computer ever crashes due to a virus, and I think that is very important that we have these multiple formats of removeable hard-disc drives (CD, DVD, MD, Hi-MD, Zip, Floppy, etc.) in case, especially us PC users with all the malware and viruses we face out there (Guitarfxr and the other Mac users are so damn lucky they don't pick on them like they do on us)...

In a couple of decades of working in IT, and Wintel PC's. Viruses and malware are extremely rare events for me to see, even on other peoples computers.

...I had to go to Hardoff today...

Whats Hardoff?

[Strungup]

HardOff = Gadjet Junkie Heaven

In Japan they have what are called "Recycle Shops " Hardoff is a Chain version , and quite upscale . Buy /Sell Comp stuff , Audio stuff , Whatever stuff they got it .

[Sparky191]

Cool. We've nothing like that. I'm always on the look out for old Discman etc. But we nothing like that here. Generally the used stores/markets are full of absolute junk.

[bobzilli]

Sorry you're low on flow but look at the cool machine you scored. I always wanted one of those. Loved the flat finish..and no, I never had an 8 Track recorder, couldnt afford one back then otherwise I would have had one

[Strungup]

Sorry you're low on flow but look at the cool machine you scored. I always wanted one of those. Loved the flat finish..and no, I never had an 8 Track recorder, couldnt afford one back then otherwise I would have had one

I will post a pic after I get thru cleaning it , it is in really bad shape , asthetically , mechanical perfect though , I played three discs , that were recorded on an MZ-R700 and it didnt even blink . The Blue screen is gorgeous.

[tekdroid]

So why am I writing? I want to know what others are thinking along these lines and why others are still using MD/Hi-MD. I appreciate and look forward to your thoughts

1) recording in linear pcm (and slicing and dicing during and after the fact)

2) replaceable batts and being able to swap them instantly (no charging downtime) without dissecting a unit to get to the ill-conceived single embedded battery (the useful life of which severely reduced after it reaches approx 500 charge/discharge cyles and needs replacement).

3) power choices: ac adaptor, battery or usb bus

4) input choices: mic, optical, line, usb

5) sound

6) oldschool LCD displays that can be seen in full sun better than any other display

7) no need to touch main unit or look at useless big screen or even take it out of your pocket when using a good tactile remote when out and about.

8) acceptable enough size

9) good battery life

10) not overly reliant on PC for half-decent functionality (deleting, editing, etc). Self-contained goodness.

11) last but not least, removable storage media, level meters, recording and playback choices, sane overall design and logic in both playback and recording options.

Edited September 11, 2007 by tekdroid

[Nate A]

HardOff = Gadjet Junkie Heaven

wow, that place sounds cool

Edited September 12, 2007 by Nate A

[Strungup]

wow, that place sounds cool

It alone ... Is almost worth a trip to Japan . If my health was better I would like to go to all the Hardoff's in Japan , and take a few thousand dollars with me . ....it is that good

[bobzilli]

Hey, ever get that unit cleaned up. Can't wait to see the pics