Md comparison Sony->Sharp->JVC

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi!

I had bad experiences with my MZ-R50 (recording head died). Repairing it was too expensive for me, so I've decided to buy new one.

I don't think I could trust Sony again. I've begun search Mds of other companies and I found nice Sharp and JVC recorders. Could you write your experiences with sharp MD-MS722H, MD-SR50, MDMT190 and JVC XM-R70 SL. I want to use my new Md to 'hunt for sounds' with my condenser microphone, so it has to be reliable in every situation.

Please help me choose one of them.

Thx

Luke

lodzimek@inetia.pl

[anodize*skyther]

errrrrrrrrr R50 is THE LEGENDARY MD and you're saying that you dont trust sony anymore because the R50 recording head broke down?

your R50 has probably served you no less than 5 years, I think that's pretty damn good for a corder

[BJ]

I'm listening to my JVC XM-R70 right now, so here we go!

It's a solid unit, all aluminum casing, nice big 2-line display and a basic package of features (standard play modes, etc). It records beautifully and doesn't seem to give off much mechanical noise at all unless you're switching tracks or at the TOC read/update.

Nice stuff:

- the jog dial on the side of the unit is great!

- big ol' display is informative and easy to see (not backlit, though--don't be fooled!)

- controls are intuitive and easy to figure out

- built very well

Weird stuff:

- the jog dial is ONLY used for titling--not track selection

- only one bass setting--it's good and clear, but REALLY bass-y

- play modes/bass setting only changed with the remote, not on the main unit :x

- when titling, the unit saves title data, then resets to the first track

- after power down, the unit starts playing the track at the beginning instead of picking up in the middle where it left off.

Overall, the JVC is a VERY well made machine with a couple quirks that took me by surprise. Great sound, so-so volume (its output is the lowest of all my portables) and decent battery life. I got this one used off eBay, and it looks as though the previous owner crushed it under something--there were two rather deep dents/gouges in the top (which I hammered out) and a cracked plastic piece near the jog dial--and the unit has yet to give me any problems at all.

If you're going to be doing field recording, you might want a machine that allows you to adjust the record volume while it records, and I think only the Sharps do that (I haven't tried on the JVC yet). I've had amazing luck with my Sharp MD-MS702 (the precurser to the 722), so you might be pleased with that model.

If you want a solid machine with many bells and whistles, I hate to say it, but you might want to go for a Sony MZ-R900. I got mine two years ago, and I still grin like a moron when I use it. It's great machine, and you can probably find one pretty cheap these days. The 900 still won't let you adjust recording level while recording, however.

Hope I was helpful.

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm with you, I have had virtual experiences through my friends' MD's over the years, (Aiwa/sony)and can't help but wonder if there is any permanence to these machines.....maybe I'm a 25 year old still stuck in the 60's, with a fondness for vintage fender guitar amps and old manual nikons....but I expect my products to last a long time. There must be a MD recorder that breaks the mold. I'd be willing to forgoe the bells and whistles of the mz-r909(adjustable levels while recording) for smething that I know will last, just aslong as it has good mic recording capabilities(at least hi/low mic sens.) So who is it? JVC, Kenwood, Sony, Sharp, Denon.........