Hoshnasi Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 It's funny how sometimes technology is cyclical, at least in my life. I put my Mini Discs away in 2002 when I purchased an iPod -selling my soul I guess. I recently took a job where proprietary info is paramount. So much so that MP3 players, cellphones and just about anything with a USB is banned. It goes a step further and only retail CDs and portable players are allowed on the floor for audio. The idea is to avoid data disappearing. So I asked around and made a request to use Mini Disc since I have few retail CDs but many, many MP3s. I figured I'd give it a shot since my old recorder (glad I kept it in a box) a Sony MZ-R700 is not USB. So here I sit, I purchased some Sony Neige and some Sony Gold and now I want MORE... I've been searching eBay and Craigslist looking for some decent recorders or just players but most seem pretty beat and very expensive! Where do you diehard guys go for blanks and other recorders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippeC Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Here (just make a Wanted topic in classifieds section) and on the same common web sites than you. But don't focus on expensive units. They is a lot of units & accessories under 20-40 $ or less, specially non Net-MD & non Hi-MD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sescoscuba Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Hello ebay is always the best market to buy, as rightly said Philippe, the mdlp and himd have a high price, but everywhere is high, even in Japan. Today I arrived a sony E44 for my collection, decent conditions, bought it on e bay to 10 pounds. Same for the blank; but if you want 200/300 mds I can make tu you a good price:-)) good day to all Sergio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustlo Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 I just buy up things in bulk lots on ebay, and I guess just horde cheap players so I will always have a backup just in case something breaks. Plus, my friends know I collect units and discs, and a couple have even bought stuff for me, or found boxes of discs stored and sent them my way to 'give to a good home'. Sure, it's nice to have the coveted units, but if you think in a mindset of hypothetical apocalypse, then you'll be able to make use of and enjoy what you have. Also, the R700 you have is a very nice shade of green. So beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoshnasi Posted October 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Thanks for the tips. I'm not really sure what units I should be hunting for, but I'll keep looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another MD fanatic Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 There is one special requirement with ebay - Patience! Take your time with it and you will eventually find some real bargains. One other point, and I don't know how bothered you are about this, but for purely practical purposes I usually go for models that run from a standard AA battery (non of those silly gumsticks for me thank you) although this obviously limits the choices considerably. And that is a lovely looking example of an R700 you've got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoshnasi Posted October 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 There is one special requirement with ebay - Patience! Take your time with it and you will eventually find some real bargains. One other point, and I don't know how bothered you are about this, but for purely practical purposes I usually go for models that run from a standard AA battery (non of those silly gumsticks for me thank you) although this obviously limits the choices considerably. And that is a lovely looking example of an R700 you've got there. I was going to ask that. Are bubble gum batteries pretty much a dieing power supply option at this point? As for the R700, it's lived a sheltered life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecrab Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 As stated previously, mainly eBay & Craigslist. You can try googling; sometimes that will turn up gear that is elsewhere. For example, something like "used stereo gear" will on occasion give you sites that have an MD unit or two (or more!) for sale. Although I consider eBay the likeliest source, as you have seen bargains are few and far between there. I believe that is because by now most people who are interested in MD know exactly which are the more desirable units and bid accordingly. That and an ever-dwindling supply drives up pricing. And of course, any units that are touted as being in excellent condition command even higher prices. Over the years, I have accumulated a pretty large number of discs, so I don't pay as much attention to that, although from what I do see they too seem to have gone up in price. Keep looking and best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDietrich Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 If you´re having a look for the - in my opinion - most reliable, convenient and best sounding unit I´d recommend the MZ-R 90/91. They run very reliably (contrary to their reputation), their headphone output is strong, they aren´t as flimsy as their successors and it takes forever to drain the chewing gum battery. Those can BTW be found for very cheap money everywhere (ebay, amazon) in new condition... though not from Sony... but that doesn´t matter. BUT: they suck as a recorder. Their ATRAC version sounds audibly worse to former (!) or later models. But as a player they´re great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippeC Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 A great brainstorming just for the acquisition of maximum a 30$ unit. We are damned... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 If you´re having a look for the - in my opinion - most reliable, convenient and best sounding unit I´d recommend the MZ-R 90/91. They run very reliably (contrary to their reputation), their headphone output is strong, they aren´t as flimsy as their successors and it takes forever to drain the chewing gum battery. Those can BTW be found for very cheap money everywhere (ebay, amazon) in new condition... though not from Sony... but that doesn´t matter. BUT: they suck as a recorder. Their ATRAC version sounds audibly worse to former (!) or later models. But as a player they´re great. Agree. But the other wonderful attribute of the R90/91 is that they will often or always revive your ailing gumstick/prismatic batteries. The biggest problem with them as a recorder is the gear noise IMHO which can be picked up by the microphone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoshnasi Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 Agree. But the other wonderful attribute of the R90/91 is that they will often or always revive your ailing gumstick/prismatic batteries. The biggest problem with them as a recorder is the gear noise IMHO which can be picked up by the microphone. I'm going to keep an eye out for that recorder. It feels like I'm bidding against some of you guys. Yesturday I was in a bidding war on a cheap unit and some unopened 74 min blanks. All in all, I've been able to find a cheap MZ NF520D and a CD player with an optical out I plan on using here at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arr-Nine-Hundred Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 Interesting Hoshnasi, I would guess you work in IT in a bank or something? I hear they are very "locked down" IT wise, de-activated USB ports etc. This week I gave my IT dept a scare by plugging in a USB stick that had some "possible malware" on it. It was scanned as soon as I plugged it in and sent an email to the sysadmins. I wonder if more of this might lead to a "mini-revival" of MD? :-) Just don't let your managers know about this: http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MDH-10.html Oh, and welcome to the party - no-one is ever too late, the breadsticks and hoummas are over there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddyjollo Posted November 2, 2013 Report Share Posted November 2, 2013 Only get AA battery powered units. I like the Sharp MD-MT88/99. These were budget in their day but built far beyond that - made of think aluminium and very durable I think. Should be able to pick them up cheap. Can charge them in situ using a rechargable AA battery if u have a 5 v charger that will fit. I use one from my old pda. The only think these do have in the way of inputs is optical and mic - that still ok? You can try your local Freecycle for stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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