One MD unit to rule them all?

[Sammyboy]

Hope this isn't too much of a 'noob'-ish question, but looking in the equipment section of the site it states that the MZ-R50 is about the best MD unit technologically even though it's now a decade old - would you say that is correct? If not, which one would you say is the best of the bunch and why?

Theoretically it should be the RH1 as it's the last model made and the pinnacle of MD evolution perhaps?

Edited October 16, 2007 by Sammyboy

[culp4684]

Hope this isn't too much of a 'noob'-ish question, but looking in the equipment section of the site it states that the MZ-R50 is about the best MD unit technologically even though it's now a decade old - would you say that is correct? If not, which one would you say is the best of the bunch and why?

Theoretically it should be the RH1 as it's the last model made and the pinnacle of MD evolution perhaps?

It is the RH1. I think when that was written about the R50 it was probably true. I doubt whether the equipment forum was ever updated or changed much.

[raintheory]

It is the RH1. I think when that was written about the R50 it was probably true. I doubt whether the equipment forum was ever updated or changed much.

There was talk about switching the equipment browser to Wiki, unfortunately it has not been implemented as of yet...

MZ-RH1, no doubt about it.

[Strungup]

Hope this isn't too much of a 'noob'-ish question, but looking in the equipment section of the site it states that the MZ-R50 is about the best MD unit technologically even though it's now a decade old - would you say that is correct? If not, which one would you say is the best of the bunch and why?

Theoretically it should be the RH1 as it's the last model made and the pinnacle of MD evolution perhaps?

Well not to start an Arguement , I have Both the R50 , and the RH1 , Each have their respactable points , each has their detractions.

While the R50 is not USB or MDLP , I personally think it was in fact the best built of all the MD's Over a decade of use , before my silver died( I have a Blue one as well) whereas most other MD's last 3-7 years depending on Model , the RH1 has been out for awhile now , and the reports of problems are begining to show up . so 3 years maybe 4 , and that is with fairly heavy , ( not overly so ) useage .

I recorded well over 500 discs with my R50 and Played a thousand more than that , I served me very well , The Audio quality of the Line out is pristine .There being it's plus over the RH1 , it has a Dedicated Line out , instead of a Combo Out like the RH1 , the Phone preamp , and Line driver are completely seperate circuits, that means Clean Audio. The discs I have burned on the R50 , have never failed or been difficult for another machine to read .

I had a problem with a MDLP disc that had 2 Cd's on it , they were recorded on an MZ-R70 digitally , the Output was so hot that my 930 HiMD player was distorting ( even with the volume turned down ) I began to think something was wrong with my 930 headphone driver. But I checked the disc in the RH1 to look at the levels , and they were peaking hard and solidly above 0db mark ( The R70 had recorded very hot , and would play its own discs well, so I didnt know) I Plyed the disc in the RH1 ( which was Not distorting ) and seperated the two CD's on to the R50 at reasonable levels , now my 930 is happy again .

R50 to the rescue , and helped by the RH1

Th R50 is the Toughest of the MD's , very solidly built , you know as soon as you pick it up . The RH1 is Dainty in comparison .

Mic Input of the R50 with my AT-822 is quite comparable to the RH1 maybe a little nicer actually . I just like the sound of it .

The RH1 , ......... It is MAC/PC compatable , It is Capable of PCM , It has an exellent Audio Driver , and wide Spectrum Reproduction, I really like the way the headphones sound on the RH1 ( Yamaha RH-5ma 's ) , Recording level on the fly ( beautifull ) Rec level from the Remote W/Meters ( absolutely awesome )

I dont like the Build of the RH1 , But I do like the features , ..............

How do you say which is best ??????? The R50 is a Legend in the Audio industry , and among true recordists who have been out in the field and done the work . But when you get home everything is done in real time .

The RH1 has made Recording Conveinient , do it , get it home , upload it .

The are both Kings in their own right .

[A440]

Most of the equipment browser entries are from the original time period, written in the rush of enthusiasm for a new gadget and unchanged since then.

The R50 is, by all accounts, built like a tank, has excellent recording (given that it only does a compressed format) and sounds good. I've never had one myself. But all it does is record in one format, SP--80 minutes on an 80 minute disc. It has no computer connection. You can't change levels while recording (you have to go into Pause). It doesn't upload. Any unit you find now is going to be old. It is not a good idea as your first or only MD.

The RH1 has more capabilities than any other MD unit, including excellent uncompressed recording and some small conveniences like setting the default to Manual Recording. If you're new to MD, you don't need the most startling RH1 capability for us longtime users: the ability to upload tracks from old MDs, which used to be stuck on the disc unless you wanted to re-record them in realtime. The RH1 is smaller andn thinner than the R50, and like any other sophisticated piece of electronic equipment, you don't want to be dropping it on hard floors.

"Technologically" there is no question that it does everything the R50 did and far more.

Do you want a Model T that will putter along sturdily at its own speed? Or do you want a sleek new Jaguar?

[Sammyboy]

Didn't realise that most of those entries were unchanged since they were first entered - some I looked at and thought they had but not all! I think a few people have lifted the text off the R50 write up and stuck it in Ebay auctions, I've seen a couple of R50 listings that claim it's the best MD unit made ever!

It's all relative really, one person's jewel is another persons rubbish - though here it would be the RH1 as it's the latest - and therefore best - featured MD made to date.... well, at all now really as it's probably the last model to be produced!

[Hungerdunger]

Any unit you find now is going to be old.

Last year I saw a new one in Lanzarote (Canary Islands). (along with an Aiwa FM80!). I'm going back next February, and if I can find it I'm tempted to buy it. I'm pretty sure the price was the original one, so I'm not paying that sort of money, but maybe they'd do a deal just to get rid of it.

[Strungup]

Do you want a Model T that will putter along sturdily at its own speed? Or do you want a sleek new Jaguar?

Which one gets more Eye time at the stop light ........ The Model T .

If I want sleek , I'll take the Atom