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NW-HD5 and NW-HD3 (Owners)

post #1 of 14
10/10/09 at 10:44pm
Thread Starter 
Most might find this thread very pointless, but I am really curious to find out:
How many NW-HD3 and NW-HD5 users still exist out there?

Model:
1) When did you buy it?
2) Do you you it with an amp, if so then which one?
3) Why do you still use it today? What is the reason for still holding on to it?


I mean this DAP has been discontinued for about 2.5-3 years, and yet it shows up in many threads. And when it gets mentioned it, usually comes up as one of the best for sound qulity. Which is why I am really curious to find todays headcount.
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post #2 of 14
10/11/09 at 2:15am
I still have both. I should sell them as I don't really use them, but they are great DAPs.
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post #3 of 14
10/11/09 at 3:09am
I have sold off all of my Sony HDD-based players. Had the HD1, imported the HD2, owned the HD3, loved the HD5, and even owned the A1000, A1200, and A3000. I actually loved the HDD-based A-series. If only I had kept them....but they were replaced by a Sony NW-A808 and later a NWZ-A818.
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post #4 of 14
10/11/09 at 7:05am
i got my HD5 back in 2005, i loved it, the warm and nice sound, quite nice for rock,
i eventualy replaced it with a cowon D2 back in late 2007, but i went back to it once in a while becuase the cowon seemed cold and mechanical next to it,

i accidently killed it last year trying to upgrade the hard drive with a 32GB CF card, its a shame, i remember how good it sounded with the atrios.
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post #5 of 14
10/11/09 at 9:07am
I have a NW-HD5, got it back in 2005. I mainly used when travelling. My daughter's MP3 player crapped out so she took over the NW-HD5, it is still going strong.
RC
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post #6 of 14
10/11/09 at 11:24am
Quote:
Model:
NW-HD5
Quote:
1) When did you buy it?
About 4 years ago
Quote:
2) Do you you it with an amp, if so then which one?
I'm not using external amps
Quote:
3) Why do you still use it today? What is the reason for still holding on to it?
Really, i don't use it now (a year ago i've tried to move on Zune 120, then Kenwood HD60GD9, and currently i'm stuck with 240GB ipod video, waiting for 128gb NW-A8xx to release), it is just my backup player now. With 80GB hard drive it is not as small of storage as it was; and it provides great sound, great battery life and portability (the only advantages of ipod are 240gb hard drive and rockbox).
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post #7 of 14
10/11/09 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aevum View Post
i accidently killed it last year trying to upgrade the hard drive with a 32GB CF card.
Unfortunately it is impossible to make it work with CF card. I've tried even pricey PhotoFast adapter which afaik not just converts CF plug into Toshiba 50pin one, but emulates hard drive using CF as storage - and there was no success.
However, maybe, it will work with "native" 1.8" ssds.
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post #8 of 14
10/11/09 at 1:46pm
I bought my first NW-HD5 (UK-market, w/ volume unlocked) late last year on eBay, then I also got 2 NIB N.O.S. U.S.-market HD5's later on that year, as well as a few beat up ones, mainly either for parts (if necessary), or for the accessories that came with it.

The advantages of having a user-removeable/replaceable battery system, a whopping 40 hrs. of battery life per charge, inline remote control-compatibility, as well as its compatibility with both ATRAC and SS CP 4.2 and my RH1 (in which I use as my uploader to it), were the big turn-ons for me getting it.

Also with 20GB onboard, and its ATRAC (take note Apple, Cowon and the rest of you), it made the transition from my MZ-NH700 Hi-MD Walkman to the HD5 much easier.

The only drawback I could find on it is its weak onboard 5mW amp, which makes using an amp with most full-size cans almost mandatory.

My setup currently is my NW-HD5, RM-MC40ELK inline remote, and MDR-EX90SL IEM's, although sometimes I also use my newly-acquired MDR-NC300D NC IEM's.
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post #9 of 14
10/11/09 at 7:07pm
My brother's HD3 is still going strong after about 5 years.

They're nice machines and they seem to last well.
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post #10 of 14
10/15/09 at 12:46am
got a red NW-HD5 from a local outlet that was clearing old electronics. the red is very well done i thought, not the garish sort. i pair it with the remote BIGHMW mentioned.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGHMW View Post
The only drawback I could find on it is its weak onboard 5mW amp, which makes using an amp with most full-size cans almost mandatory.
my favourite home setup is to plug my AD900s into the HD5. they get along very well together and the music always sounds so alive to my ears. output sounds fine to me without an amp so far.
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post #11 of 14
12/6/09 at 6:26am
I never sell my gear, no matter if I use it or not.
My HD5 is still in use however. I have dropped it a million times, it has some dents and scratches on it, I have two extra batteries (long trips are regular in my job) and although I have two ipod videos (60GB & 160GB) and i currently use a 32GB 3GS Iphone, my player of choice is still the Sony.
I'm seriously thinking of installing a bigger disk (it's a 20GB model) and keep on using until it (or I) dies.
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post #12 of 14
12/6/09 at 11:18am
I still have NWHD1 and NWHD3. I use them when I go for vacation, and occasionally when I take a walk. The HD1 is filled with 64kbs files, and the HD3 is half filled with a mix of 64kbs and 192kbs files - all Atrac3+. I don't hear much difference, especially not on the plane. They cover most of my CD collection. I want to keep them as long as possible. They sound nice and are perfectly gapless.
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post #13 of 14
12/6/09 at 11:47am
I've still got my NW-HD5H (the one with the 30Gb hard disk) and it is still workiing, however I don't really use it now. I made the mistake of buying the crappy official leather carry case which didn't protect the machine, hence it looks a bit beaten up. The Pdair case I replaced it with was miles better.

The 16Gb NWZ-S639F is in residence now and sounds great with my ER4P's (as does the NW-HD5H). However, I do miss the storage and hope in due course we get a 64+Gb flash machine.
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post #14 of 14
3/27/10 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by penartur View Post
Unfortunately it is impossible to make it work with CF card. I've tried even pricey PhotoFast adapter which afaik not just converts CF plug into Toshiba 50pin one, but emulates hard drive using CF as storage - and there was no success.
However, maybe, it will work with "native" 1.8" ssds.
Just to mention that the mod to CF 32gb is possible. I have done it.

The only issue is that the PC no longer recognizes the player when the CF is installed. So I had to fill the CF using a CF reader and Jsymphonic. Later I installed it in the HD5 and works perfectly. Much better response that with the HDD, and no HDD noise anymore.
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