Onkyo MD-133 and general optical in/out question

[Edinah]

Hi Minidiskers,

I'm pondering the Onkyo MD-133, for recording from various audio sources, and noticed it doesn't have digital out. This is just meant to keep one from making numerous digital duplicates, and shouldn't handicap the deck much, right? I have an RH1 and so I could always upload recordings to my computer, so they won't be "stuck" on the minidisc.

My other question concerns the benefits of having a deck. I can see it being better for making recordings from an analog source, but for digital, does it matter? Digits are digits and doesn't everything that has optical in, record the same digits, and everything that has optical out, output the same digits, that is, the exact data that is on a digital source (MD, CD)? One reason I'm asking this question is that I've been making MD and HiMD recordings from a portable Sony CD player with optical out, using my RH1, because I don't have a CD or MD deck. Shouldn't this, or my computer with optical out, work as well as a deck for the digital source for recording with the Onkyo? The other deck I'm considering is the Tascam MD-CD1, which would give me the CD deck at the same time, and it has optical out. But it is not HiMD and considerably more expensive. Sorry if this question is too "basic" for you experts, but I would be grateful for any advice.

[Bwil]

The first MD I ever bought was a deck, the JB-920. I still really like the convenience of a deck. I like the big buttons and a readout I can see from across the room.

I've been looking at the 133 myself. Your computer's optical out and your portable cd should be just fine as a recording source.

Edited October 11, 2008 by bwil

[Edinah]

Bwil,

Thanks for your response. I know my current setup works fine for digital recordings, but I'm curious whether the quality is even better with a deck. I've heard that it is (not on this board but I didn't search carefully) and it doesn't make sense to me, but maybe that's because I don't have a deep understanding of how these things work. From my understanding, for digital input and output, it should be ZERO benefit to have a deck, as far as sound quality (obvious benefit with things like speed control, etc. and other extra features that decks can have). I was told I was "missing out" on quality by using my little portable CD player (or computer, playing a CD) to make MD recordings, and that it was foolish when used decks on eBay are so cheap. Likewise, used MD decks for recording are not so expensive (but quality may be affected by ATRAC version; my RH1 should have the best). I just don't like having a lot of "stuff" and prefer smaller equipment, and purchasing new, though I'm open to buying used. I will probably buy one of the two decks I mentioned, but if I get the Onkyo, then at least for a while I would be using it with my portable CD player and/or computers, for digital input. I also wondered whether I'd miss the digital out. (I really don't mind recording in real time, so 4x recording on the Tascam is not a huge plus.)

I know this may sound like it should go in "which player should I get" but my main curiosity is about quality of digital in/out in decks vs portables and computers, and since the Onkyo in HiMD (and what I'm leaning towards), I thought posting here would get the best results.

[sfbp]

I don't have documentary evidence for this - but my feeling is the A to D on a deck is better. I can only speak for the Sony range as I haven't ventured into Onkyo territory. Decks make it easier to manipulate but you can do most things on a HiMD portable if you are gentle (and determined!).

One of the main reasons for liking HiMD at the moment is that I can record a long broadcast (8 hours at 256K on 1GB HiMD). The way I do this is to pipe the signal to my (SP) deck, and use the A to D converter there, with digital out TO the HiMD portable. This gives me maximum record time and best A-to-D with minimum expenditure.

[culp4684]

The primary reason a deck has a digital out is for connection to an external digital to audio converter. In most cases (like mine), that means connecting to an amp or receiver that has a digital input. This buypasses the DAC of the deck and puts the work on the supposedly better one in the amp/receiver.

Since it sounds like your setup is sans an amplifier...I wouldn't worry about the lack of an optical out. Frankly, your RH1 should be more than sufficient. I can't imagine anyone buying the Onkyo unit and not connecting it to a home stereo system.