Thinking of buying a Sharp MD-DS70

[GokuZool]

I own a Sony MZ-E33 and a Sharp IM-DR410.

I'm thinking about buying a new player, a Sharp MD-DS70, but need a few questions answered. :smile:

1: What advantages does the DS70 have over the DR410? (That is, as a player).

2: I've noticed that the DS70 has both Kanji and Chinese character support, as well as English letters. How do you switch between the three?

3: Does the DS70 feature any screensavers? (i.e. the whale and the boat). :happy:

4: How does the DS70 compare with the DS5, DS8 (more expensive than the DS70!) and the latest Sharp player?

5: Where is the cheapest place to order it from? Both Audiocubes and Hyper Jack sell it for $322 (Australian). I went to Amazon Japan and saw it for $242 (Australian) but later discovered that Japan don't ship electronic products.

6: Are there any other indepth reviews besides Alex Tan's review?

[Christopher]

I own a Sony MZ-E33 and a Sharp IM-DR410.

Welcome..back I guess I should say.

1: What advantages does the DS70 have over the DR410? (That is, as a player).

Odd question, but the first thing you'll notice is the output. The DS70 has a lower output than the DR410. It does however have an equalizer that's pretty extensive and should provide the exact sound you're looking for. Battery life on the DS70 is also better than the DR410 [with the help of the DS70's external AA cell case].

There's more here:

http://minidisc.org/part_Sharp_MD-DS30+DS70.html

http://minidisc.org/part_Sharp_IM-DR400+DR...R410+DR420.html

2: I've noticed that the DS70 has both Kanji and Chinese character support, as well as English letters. How do you switch between the three?

It's not multilingual in this sense. It has support for those tracks if the titles are written that way.

3: Does the DS70 feature any screensavers? (i.e. the whale and the boat).  :happy:

Indeed, it features the fish and the boat AFAIK.

4: How does the DS70 compare with the DS5, DS8 (more expensive than the DS70!) and the latest Sharp player?

To be honest, the latest Sharp player [MD-DS55] would be the best Sharp MD player-only unit on the market today [asthetically, sound wise and in functionality]. Comparisons..a bit of a broad one at that. The real discernable differences between these units is battery life, asthetics, lack of EQ on DS5/DS8 [which I prefer] and a few other things. Refer to the equipment browser and then bounce back with any questions you may have.

5: Where is the cheapest place to order it from? Both Audiocubes and Hyper Jack sell it for $322 (Australian). I went to Amazon Japan and saw it for $242 (Australian) but later discovered that Japan don't ship electronic products.  

Audiocubes has it for 354.95AUD. You could always try Minidisc Australia. I don't know of any other places that would have it for less.

6: Are there any other indepth reviews besides Alex Tan's review?

AFAIK, no.

[skyther]

Bluetin.com?

[GokuZool]

I own a Sony MZ-E33 and a Sharp IM-DR410.

Welcome..back I guess I should say.

Thanks. :smile:

1: What advantages does the DS70 have over the DR410? (That is, as a player).

Odd question, but the first thing you'll notice is the output. The DS70 has a lower output than the DR410. It does however have an equalizer that's pretty extensive and should provide the exact sound you're looking for. Battery life on the DS70 is also better than the DR410 [with the help of the DS70's external AA cell case].

What I meant was - the DR410 is a Net MD and also a player. The DS70 is just a player. What makes the DS70 more expensive? Is it because it's all metal or are there other options that the DR410 doesn't have?

2: I've noticed that the DS70 has both Kanji and Chinese character support, as well as English letters. How do you switch between the three?

It's not multilingual in this sense. It has support for those tracks if the titles are written that way.

That is, if you have a Japanese or Chinese keyboard?

3: Does the DS70 feature any screensavers? (i.e. the whale and the boat). :happy:

Indeed, it features the fish and the boat AFAIK.

Cool. :happy:

4: How does the DS70 compare with the DS5, DS8 (more expensive than the DS70!) and the latest Sharp player?

To be honest, the latest Sharp player [MD-DS55] would be the best Sharp MD player-only unit on the market today [asthetically, sound wise and in functionality]. Comparisons..a bit of a broad one at that. The real discernable differences between these units is battery life, asthetics, lack of EQ on DS5/DS8 [which I prefer] and a few other things. Refer to the equipment browser and then bounce back with any questions you may have.

IMO, the design of the DS55 looks tacky, except for the remote. Both the DS70 and the DS55 have a 1 bit amp so why does the DS55 have better sound?

5: Where is the cheapest place to order it from? Both Audiocubes and Hyper Jack sell it for $322 (Australian). I went to Amazon Japan and saw it for $242 (Australian) but later discovered that Japan don't ship electronic products.  

Audiocubes has it for 354.95AUD. You could always try Minidisc Australia. I don't know of any other places that would have it for less.

Minidisc Australia are selling it fot $499! (!) :ohmy:

6: Are there any other indepth reviews besides Alex Tan's review?

AFAIK, no.

Any picture galleries of the DS70? :smile: