Grey4 Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 I recently purchased a MZ-N10 MiniDisc and upgraded to a set of MDR-EX71 earbuds. I have to say the quality of the music reproduction is outstanding and overall this unit is a technilogical marvel. My issue is that the volume when turned up to max is just not loud enough. I can record direct through my optical out PC "Soundblaster" card or by using "Soundstage" and adjusting the volume on the pre amp / equilizer. Regardless of the ajustments I feel the output is just not acceptable. I'm not looking to blow my head off, but honestly I could hear a mouse fart when this thing is "Cranked up". I would be grateful if someone can confirm this is a characteristic of this unit, or am I missing something. Thanks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkymark Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Do you have an European model? If so, the power of the amplifier is lower when compared to the US or Japanese model. This has to do with the regulations in the EU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future love Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 The power of the amplifier in Europe is: > 2mW+ 2mW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey4 Posted September 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Thanks sharkymark & future love, I bought the unit on a British web site, however the warranty states it is only valid in the United states, could this still be a European model ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkymark Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 If you bought it at a British website it's an European model. I don't have a clue how it's possible that your warranty is only valid in the US. Could you give me the link to the shop you bought it? I'm quite curious how this is possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey4 Posted September 7, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 Sharkymark, this is the link to the British site http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/00-index.html Any idea where I can purchase a Non - European model ?? Thanks Grey4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkymark Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 I took a look at the link and as far as I can see it's British. So how you got an American warranty card is beyond me. Maybe they imported a few American models that were cheap. Take a look at this site. A lot of people recommend them: AudioCubes They sell Japanese models and have very interesting prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayBoy7 Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 is there not some kind of hack out there that will bump the amp up to what you want........surely there must be some way....and if there's not.....Why not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkymark Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 I read that it's possible to bump up the power of the amp. The only downside is that it requires you to open the Walkman and solder a few things onto the the mainboard. I'm not even going to try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey4 Posted September 10, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 As per Sharkymark's post, If anyone can give me a link to the volume hack, I would be glad to try it and document with pictures for the purpose of this forum - providing it didn't look impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazirker Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 There's a way to increase the output power?? I've never heard of that, but I'd definetly consider doing it if I thought I had a chance of pulling it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey4 Posted September 10, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Bazirker, If your unit is underpowered, as per previous posts, is it an American spec. or European ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienKarma Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 European version for sure. I also own a European N10 with the same US warranty printed on the back of the Instructions Book. I think Sony uses the same books to both US & European units. But since the warranty in the US is slightly different from the one used in the rest of the world, Sony print US warranty as a complement of the general warranty I guess… PS: Yes my N10 also have low volume power, nevertheless it's more than sufficient to my needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 It should tell you in the back of your manual (in the specifications section) what the output power is. It might be more to do with the headphones, though. EX71's aren't very loud anyway, though you can help matters by pushing the earpieces right into your ears. However I suggest you try another set of phones, eg. the Sennheiser MX500, which are fine with my even lower spec Sony CD player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hi I have read the postings on this subject with interest as a UK resident I have an Mz n10 with the crappy audio output. I have been told that the Audio is capped in the EEPROM settings and what is required is a comparison of the two units settings then the required buttons need only be pushed in service mode, no soldering required. If you come across these values I would be interested.” No good me asking anyone in the UK" But on a further note I feel that Sony should not have released a unit designed to work with 5mW output which in actual fact in reality is a lousy 1.8mW, this is a bad compromise and the unit is totally choked by this and the lack of Megabass makes things even worse I also have a Mz n 505 and a Mz n1 both are better general listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Hi I have read the postings on this subject with interest. As a UK resident I have an Mz n10 with the crappy audio output. I have been told that the Audio is capped in the EEPROM settings and what is required is a comparison of the two units settings, then the required buttons need only be pushed in service mode to effect the changes, no soldering required. If you come across these values I would be interested.” No good me asking anyone in the UK" But on a further note I feel that Sony should not have released a unit designed to work with a full 5mW output rather than 2mW which in actual fact in reality is a lousy 1.8mW, this is a bad compromise and the unit is totally choked by this and the lack of Digital Megabass makes things even worse.I also have a Mz n505 and a Mz n1 both are better for general listening with oomph!. Unfortunatly technology is market driven and the greed is often greater than the good.I was told to do my homework next time, and live with it. Easily said if you don't have to! but Sony actually market this product in the EU with 5mW output ?Happing MD listening all be it quietly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Sorry to hear that you're not happy with your N10. I'm not sure what Sony were doing with the volume limiting, but 2mW can't be the Euro limit as the later-released N910 has 4mW x 2. I have just bought one (in London) and I'm very happy with it. The difference from 5mW isn't noticeable to me. And besides, many of Sharp's recently released MD units all have 2 x 8mW or 10mW. Sorry, not much comfort to you (unless you can exchange your N10). There used to be the thing that portable units sold in France had low output, but Sony seem to have spread this Euro-wide, possibly as a cost-cutting exercise. I really haven't seen anything that confirms this is an EU regulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Sorry to hear that you're not happy with your N10. I'm not sure what Sony were doing with the volume limiting, but 2mW can't be the Euro limit as the later-released N910 has 4mW x 2. I have just bought one (in London) and I'm very happy with it. The difference from 5mW isn't noticeable to me. And besides, many of Sharp's recently released MD units all have 2 x 8mW or 10mW. Sorry, not much comfort to you (unless you can exchange your N10). There used to be the thing that portable units sold in France had low output, but Sony seem to have spread this Euro-wide, possibly as a cost-cutting exercise. I really haven't seen anything that confirms this is an EU regulation.I dont think cost cutting is the reason, producing variants of the same thing adds to production costs.I have just bought the N10, so that's why I am disgruntled, you don't expect the flagship model to be lousy. I do have the N1 and the N505 for everyday use.I do fancy the 910 as this is more or less the N10 apart from a few omissions. Are you happy with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Yes Geoff, I am indeed happy with the N910. I haven't heard the (capped) N10 so I can't directly compare, but I would say it does compare very favourably with my older Sonys, which were all 5mW units. The maximum volume may be slightly less (I don't know as I've never needed to go above 20/30 on any). I'm sure you'd be happy with the 910 too. I use Sennheiser MX500 earbuds with the 910 which are easily driven and miles better than the Sony stock buds. You should get an improvement if you tried them on your N10. You're pretty much right in that it basically the same as the N10 in features, the main difference is it's powered by a replaceable gumstick battery, which in my book is far better than the built-in Li-ion of the N10. It's a shame Sony saw fit to cap their latest portables (not only MDs - I have a D-EJ2000 CD player with only 0.5mW of power!). But at least the N910 doesn't really suffer in this respect... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Yes Geoff, I am indeed happy with the N910. I haven't heard the (capped) N10 so I can't directly compare, but I would say it does compare very favourably with my older Sonys, which were all 5mW units. The maximum volume may be slightly less (I don't know as I've never needed to go above 20/30 on any). I'm sure you'd be happy with the 910 too. I use Sennheiser MX500 earbuds with the 910 which are easily driven and miles better than the Sony stock buds. You should get an improvement if you tried them on your N10. You're pretty much right in that it basically the same as the N10 in features, the main difference is it's powered by a replaceable gumstick battery, which in my book is far better than the built-in Li-ion of the N10. It's a shame Sony saw fit to cap their latest portables (not only MDs - I have a D-EJ2000 CD player with only 0.5mW of power!). But at least the N910 doesn't really suffer in this respect...Thank's for your comments Kevin. I will keep the N10, and get a 910 I think, I suppose I could convert to collecting minidiscs portables as a hobby! In reality I was hoping for a quick fix with the N10, I would have thought someone would have said by now if one was around. I don't use much more than 12-15 settings myself only it's a bit like a big engine on a car, it's there if you need it, and the ride is always better! Funny you mention those headphones I do have some of them that I got for my Freecom Beatman II mini CD player, I will try them. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_Palmer Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 No, there don't seem to be any easy mods for a volume fix, none posted at least... Have you played with the N10's equaliser? I have found that this generation of MDs sound much better with a few judicious tweaks (and good phones like the Senns). If you do decide on the N910, try to have a listen first if possible, or make sure there's a return policy. I love the N910, but for such an expensive piece of equipment you can never be too sure. Have you considered one of the Sharps (eg. IM-DR400)? These can be bought for under £100 here, are somewhat basic but deliver the goods on sounds (through the headphone). The N910 is seductive (I have the blue one) and good in its own right, and has a better line-out than the Sharp which may or may not be important to you. You're right, you can easily start a collection of these things, they ALL have their own strengths (and weaknesses)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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