Rachelron Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Since I found the excellent tutorial on this forum to add drivers to my Win7 PC for NetMD I've a renewed interest in my minidisc equipment. Using Sonic Stage I've successfuly transferred some Cds to MD which I can play on my HiFi via my MDS-S40 deck. However I've noticed that the cable covering at the MD plug on the USB data cable I use to connect my PC and the MZ-NH1 is broken. My fear is that this makes the wires going into the plug vulnerable. I've not been able to source a replacement cable so far. Does the cable have a code number or does anything else use the same cable? If I can connect via the optical cable does that transfer album and track data like the USB cable does? Thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 The data cable for the NH1 is rather hard to find; I spotted someone selling lots of 'em but they're probably gone - I will check.Edit: here it is, rather expensivehttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-Data-Cable-Cord-For-Sony-NetMD-MZ-N10-MZ-NH1-MZ-NH3-MZ-DH10P-19-6-inch-/141266986107(note that the title is wrong, the pictured cable does not fit most of the listed units, and there are other cables that come up with similar titles that do NOT fit the NH1 - but you know this since you can recognize the connector you already have in your hand).Just to let you know, transferring via USB and playing back on the S40 is a bit of a mismatch in terms of audiophile quality. When you transfer the only format that your S40 will play, the software degrades it down to a rather lower quality in order to transfer. The really good sounding modes on the NH1 cannot be played back on your S40, and the S40's best mode (although played back well by the NH1 itself) cannot be sent from the computer. Opinions as to why this is so differ, but you, I am sure, don't want that discussion here and now.I'd recommend picking up a deck that does the MDLP modes (specifically LP2) that is effectively what the USB interface sends:1. The codec used is more modern so even though the data rate is less than half (ie you get twice as much music on one disk, very useful for things like opera), the sound is still pretty good2. The Sonic Stage software does a pretty good job of conversion to LP2(obviously you found the switch to generate SP disks, "transfer the file in SP mode for compatibility with non-MD devices") which is all you will ever get over the cable.For instance:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-MINI-DISC-DECK-PLAYER-RECORDER-BLACK-MDS-JE640-GOOD-CONDITION-/271505721747Or you might want to make life really easy on yourself as well as being able to get real SP mode on the minidisc by buying a CD/MD combo deck such as this:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-COMPACT-DISC-CD-MINIDISC-DECK-MXD-D3-BLACK-GREAT-CONDITION-/271505720778As you can see, prices for this gear are less than what you would pay for the data cable for your NH1 Have fun - note that the second of those two items is gone in a few hours from now.Finally, to answer your question about optical cables, you should indeed get nice quality transfer by recording to the MZ-NH1 but you will be working at playback speed. If this is a limitation you can live with, you're good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelron Posted June 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Thanks for all that information. That is the correct cable but I'm not sure about spending over £23 on it plus perhaps import duty and VAT I've secured my cable/connector with some tape so hopefully it will be OK. I'm aware of the limitations of my deck. I'll look at upgrading to a better deck. Unfortunately the two decks you mention are collect only which is not a possibility for me but they are a guide to what to look for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 That's too bad given that you are in London (at least according to profile). Both items from same guy too.Maybe you aren't super familiar with eBay? I'm sure the guy would accept payment and then you or someone else could swing by and pick it up in a couple of weeks. If you're housebound there are any number of couriers that would do a pickup. Frankly anyone selling MD gear is likely to be highly reliable; those prices are so low (what's keeping them low is the "collection only") as to be unmissable.Wow, this guy's selling a Quad 33/303 set - he (or the person whose effects are being sold) must be an old-time audio nut of sorts. Confirming that the quality is likely what you want both in terms of performance and also meticulous care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 5, 2014 Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 That cable definitely has a weak point on the connector to the unit. The covering on one of mine split as well. I have a couple of extra ones in boxes somewhere. Just for reference the same cable was also used on the DH10P and the NH3D and possibly the N10 MDLP unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelron Posted June 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2014 Well, sfbp, I'm in the UK but not in or near London but I take your point. On ebay there are some amazingly high prices being asked for MD equipment. Thanks Richard for the additional information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trott3r Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 If you have a CD player anyhow with an optical output would it not be possible to record in real time with the NH1 deck? This is how i normally recorded/backup my CDs. Just play the CD because i want to listen to it and record to MD at the same time on my fullsize deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azureal Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 I love my NH1 but as Richard states the connectivity to the unit is its biggest flaw. A non-standard USB & power combo-connector, sadly the only way to charge the LIP4 battery is through the dock with the power adapter. The USB cable will not charge, only operate the unit when directly connected to a computer. At the time I bought mine in August of 2004 I did not consider these design flaws or I may not have bought it. To top it all off, Sony decided to omit the ever useful "AA" battery sidecar! What were they thinking? I still love it even with all of its flaws. :-) I have tested the cables from the N10 and the DH10P over the years and they are identical in operation and will power and transfer data to the unit just as the original. I know 23 Pounds or 40 Bucks seems expensive for a cable but if I needed one I would jump all over the chance to grab one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punkrockaddict Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 Shall i sell you one? I got many of these Pm if you still need one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelron Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 sfbp, I've been looking at better MD decks but MDLP decks are not so common. Anyway I'm not sure that I need the LP facility so are there other Sony decks that I should look at which will give me improved playback from sonic stage recordings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 The ones I found for you were perfect. Anything that's SP-only tends to be the earlier version of the sound chips and so on, and although some people rave about them, my considered opinion is that you may be better off not going down that route, especially with the cheapest decks that don't do MDLP. Take a look here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDS-JE780-Mini-Disc-Player-/251561235967 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-mini-disc-separate-MDS-JE640-/251557361234 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-MDS-JE640-MINI-DISC-PLAYER-BOXED-REMOTE-GUIDE-LEADS-AUTO-PAUSE-MDLP-/321342534432 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDS-JB940-qs-Mini-Disc-Player-/271523228074 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDS-JE780-Mini-Disc-Player-/161337670214 These all have MDLP and optical out. Recommended features for various reasons including future-proofing (optical out is increasingly the best and most common way to get good sound into an amplifier - the early high-end decks had huge D-to-A sections because no one could afford an amplifier with digital input.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelron Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Hmm .... thanks sfbp. Actually I was looking at one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelron Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Got an MDS-JE640 deck and very nice too ..... Thanks for all the advice. The ones I found for you were perfect. Anything that's SP-only tends to be the earlier version of the sound chips and so on, and although some people rave about them, my considered opinion is that you may be better off not going down that route, especially with the cheapest decks that don't do MDLP. Take a look here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDS-JE780-Mini-Disc-Player-/251561235967 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-mini-disc-separate-MDS-JE640-/251557361234 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-MDS-JE640-MINI-DISC-PLAYER-BOXED-REMOTE-GUIDE-LEADS-AUTO-PAUSE-MDLP-/321342534432 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDS-JB940-qs-Mini-Disc-Player-/271523228074 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-MDS-JE780-Mini-Disc-Player-/161337670214 These all have MDLP and optical out. Recommended features for various reasons including future-proofing (optical out is increasingly the best and most common way to get good sound into an amplifier - the early high-end decks had huge D-to-A sections because no one could afford an amplifier with digital input.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShriDurga Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks for the link to this. Anyone perhaps have a spare for trade or sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilippeC Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Anything that's SP-only tends to be the earlier version of the sound chips and so on, and although some people rave about them, my considered opinion is that you may be better off not going down that route, especially with the cheapest decks that don't do MDLP. Except SP only deck with type R ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugbahr Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 One of my spare nh1 leads has a messed up USB area. I will upload pics of it in a couple of days. Not sure if it even works - I'm willing to give it away to someone willing to take a chance on it - but postage from Australia will be 15 bucks or so. Maybe i can throw it into a deal of other stuff i have that people are after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam30 Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Hi slugbahr My name is Adam and i am very new to these forums, i am after a usb cable for my sony mznh1, i am in the south east of England, if available can i please buy from you asap? thanks Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfbp Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Danny's cable probably needs fixing is my understanding. The going rate for a new cable is about $40. If that is ok I suggest toddling over to Ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShriDurga Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 The seller Keny.lin will sell cheaper off ebay. I took a chance on him, and on the UAE post office, and both came through. Not recommending you do this, just informing you of the option. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam30 Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Thank you for both replies, i did not really want to pay £25 pounds for a cable but will if i have too..shame the delivery is 14 or so days to the UK as need it asap. Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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