Anybody using a Minidisc deck as a DAC?

[rauer]

While I was thinking about possible or desired changes in my audio gear, I just realised that my MD deck might double as a DAC. It's an entry level deck Sony MDS-JE510.

Is it

a) possible,

b) practical and

c) how's the conversion quality?

 

[oldblueviffer]

I use my Sony mdsjb930 as a DAC for my dvd player as the analogue out, from the dvd is just pants. The digital out from the pc also goes there too.

ian

 

[CSMR]

Handy little things these minidisc players. Mine was doubling as a mic preamp for a while.

A) almost certainly
B) not really, you'll probably have to record to a minidisc and monitor
C) I'd be surprised if it were more than average. It probably goes through compression.

 

[SunByrne]

I think it probably depends on which MD deck. I've been using my MXD-D5C as an outboard DAC for a while. It is both possible and practical (without actually recording to an MD) and does not introduce any compression, at least with this deck, which it should be noted is also a 5-CD changer. It's an OK DAC, but probably not on par with true dedicated external DACs like the MSB Link or the Benchmark.

 

[myself, aka me]

With all the decks i've tried, pressing record with no disc will put "-DA" on the screen. I'd been using that for a while with my MDS-PC1 but I sold it. It's possible, practical, but the quality most likely isn't as good as a true DAC, as said above. I didn't have a DAC to compare it with. I don't know the quality difference between hybrid pulse DACs and 16 bit ones. Confusing. One's apparently better than the other.

No, it doesn't go through compression either.

 

[rauer]

Thanks for the replys so far. A further question: how about a top quality MD deck? I might be able to buy a Sony MDS-JA333ES deck pretty cheap and in that case would be using it also as the DAC in my system (old Pioneer DVD transport, K340 & DT880, Prehead).

How'd you rate the DAC compared to mid level DAC's in general?

 

[erikzen]

If you're using your deck as a DAC in record mode, you might be putting unnecessary strain on the recordiing head. I'm not familiar with your deck but I used my MZ-R50 as a DAC from the digital out of my Sonica and that's what somebody warned me.

 

[kwong]

I've got a JB940 (QS series) and compared it with unmodded MSB DAC Link III and it's a touch less airy but better than the CD player from a mini-Hifi (Onkyo).

Regarding damage to the recording head mine would work as a DAC without putting in an MD, so that's not an issue I suppose.

 

[rauer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen If you're using your deck as a DAC in record mode, you might be putting unnecessary strain on the recordiing head. I'm not familiar with your deck but I used my MZ-R50 as a DAC from the digital out of my Sonica and that's what somebody warned me.

The MDS-JE510 that I currently own (and most likely the ES deck, too) can be used as a DAC without inserting a disc. I gather that without the disc, it only does the conversion without any mechanical "work". Anybody know if I'm right or wrong?

EDIT: just noticed that kwong seems to agree and was faster in replying

 

[Ivvvan]

Quote:

No, it doesn't go through compression either.

I'm going to buy some good quality Sony MD Player. It will be used as external DAC.
Does the signal goes through compression in "MONITOR MODE"? Is the compression aplied on the fly or there is not any compression on digital and line outs - monitor mode.
I took a look at service manual of Sony MDS-JE700. The block diagrams show that signal path goes through Digital Signal Processor where the ATRAC Encoder/Decoder is placed in.
Of course in "Record Mode" the ATRAC Enoder/Decoder must be active but what happens in "Monitor Mode"? Is The ATRAC Encoder/Decoder bypassed and signal goes with no compression?
 
I cannot read schematic diagrams http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/service/sony_MDS-JE700_service_manual.pdf