RH-10 Distortion

[Snostrebla]

I have a slight problem with my MZ-RH10. I've had it for years now, and I stopped using it long ago because at higher volumes it begins to distort badly (anything after 18). I feel that this was my own doing when playing with it in service mode to add the language support, and then eventually changing it back so that I can edit tracks. Is there a setting and value in service mode I can use to reset it entirely to factory defaults without bricking the entire unit? I miss using the poor guy, it was my first Hi-MD unit any help would be appreciated.

[star]

I have a slight problem with my MZ-RH10. I've had it for years now, and I stopped using it long ago because at higher volumes it begins to distort badly (anything after 18). I feel that this was my own doing when playing with it in service mode to add the language support, and then eventually changing it back so that I can edit tracks. Is there a setting and value in service mode I can use to reset it entirely to factory defaults without bricking the entire unit? I miss using the poor guy, it was my first Hi-MD unit any help would be appreciated.

I own the same recorder, but I never ran into the problem you've described at the higher volumes. I also record many things in the manual level setting as I hate using the auto one.

there is a service manual for this model online. you can read it here:

http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/service/MZ_RH10_sm.pdf

Note sure if you've seen it before. If not, I guess it's worth a shot.

[Snostrebla]

I own the same recorder, but I never ran into the problem you've described at the higher volumes. I also record many things in the manual level setting as I hate using the auto one.

there is a service manual for this model online. you can read it here:

http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/service/MZ_RH10_sm.pdf

Note sure if you've seen it before. If not, I guess it's worth a shot.

The distorted audio isn't from something I've recorded manually from it, this was previously transferred audio. It just seems to have trouble with bassier audio, but the same disc in other players, with the same equalization settings and volume have no problems at all. Thanks for the service manual, I'll see if I can find the value I'm looking for, and hope it's something I did subconsciously.

[sfbp]

If you transfer the audio (or play it back realtime via USB) is *that* distorted?

Edit: sorry, that appears like it might be a silly question if you say the disk works flawlessly in other machines.

Perhaps you were trying to lift the volume cap in service mode? The instructions were very explicit and I think I recall someone got confused thinking that some 0x1E (decimal 30) value was something to do with the 30 max volume, when it isn't at all.

Avrin is the expert on all this; but you should be able to find a stickied thread here. Wait a minute... here

The volume cap was most easily set by changing the "destination" (country) market indicator. Be very careful not to do any resets (that "911" function in the S.M.), or (absent the calibration disks and power supplies) you will end up with a rather valuable paperweight.

Stephen

[Snostrebla]

If you transfer the audio (or play it back realtime via USB) is *that* distorted?

Edit: sorry, that appears like it might be a silly question if you say the disk works flawlessly in other machines.

Perhaps you were trying to lift the volume cap in service mode? The instructions were very explicit and I think I recall someone got confused thinking that some 0x1E (decimal 30) value was something to do with the 30 max volume, when it isn't at all.

Avrin is the expert on all this; but you should be able to find a stickied thread here. Wait a minute... here

The volume cap was most easily set by changing the "destination" (country) market indicator. Be very careful not to do any resets (that "911" function in the S.M.), or (absent the calibration disks and power supplies) you will end up with a rather valuable paperweight.

Stephen

I remember reading the instructions carefully, and remembered to not do anything dumb to damage it since I already had a US/Canada Model, I browsed the service manual, and did a search in the forums, but I can't seem to find anything in the manual or here to reset the values to their factory defaults. I'm aware of there being a way to reset some values to default on older Net-MD's (n510) but obviously using those particular values, at the same addresses would most likely leave me with as you said a "rather valuable paper weight". I knew I shouldn't have played with it to begin with, but I'm still unsure if this is my own doing. The only thing I remember doing (and I did this a year or two ago) was change the destination code from 20, to 24, and then back to 20. I appreciate the help so far.

[sfbp]

The only thing I remember doing (and I did this a year or two ago) was change the destination code from 20, to 24, and then back to 20. I appreciate the help so far.

Here's what I suggest.

Try looking at the instructions again, and try to figure out what you thought they meant. Without us prompting you. This probably requires a clear head and a cup of coffee first thing in the a.m.

If you can remember that, it's just possible we can figure out if you made an error, and if so, which error. It's even possible we can fix it.

Failing that, it's probably time to spend $100 and send it to Sony for servicing. I'm mildly interested in this as I have a very slightly defective RH-910 (it doesn't record on 1GB disks correctly) and am beginning to think that complete realignment might be the only way for myself. Unfortunately the disks and power supplies and laser power meter required come to about $600.

[Snostrebla]

I've went through the process again, it distorts much less now than it did before. Thanks for everything, my RH-10 is usable again.

[sfbp]

Too bad... I was thinking maybe you'd sell it to me for a song (just kidding).

Well done.