Going from cd to md...

[Watchdog]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mystyler Your PC1 menu system is the same as my PC3 buddy. Perhaps I made the mistake in not doing any deck research, and not listening to that nagging thought saying, "buy the JB940!" Hell, the PC3 ain't bad really, just the freakin' menu systems, and some other queer "features" I would hope were (not?) present on other Sony decks, so my PC3 doesn't seem like a dodgy piece of kit. Watchdog, the JB930 is a few years old now, as have been discontinued for a while. Your best bet would be to hunt down a JB940 - I **think** the DACs are the same as the JB930. redshifter would know for sure, I'm sure. The next "series" up from the JB940 is the JB980. Sony still makes the JA333ES, but that sets us here in Australia back a cool $2500AUD. (The JB980/940 are priced at $999AUD)

I had thought about ordering the PC3, from your experience I don't think I will now.

Boy I thought equipment was expensive in Canada. Well I suppose it is compared to the US, but holy cow is it ever expensive in Australia. I think minidisco had the 940 or 930 about a month ago for $360 US, which of course we can get sent to Canada for additional shipping but it would only be about $400 US which I think is quite a bit less than $999AUD.

I would love to get my hands on a JA333ES, but I don't think they're available anymore.

 

[SBomm]

Watchdog, try eBay

 

[Mystyler]

redshifter, I checked some specs on the JB940 and JB980, and they use current pulse DACs...and my PC3 uses hybrid.

Watchdog, it isn't a bad deck, really, I just **cannot** stand Sony's menu systems, and I hate the fact it doesn't operate like my MR200, especially sync wise. If you have never used a Sharp or Panasonic, I don't think you'll have the same problems.

It is also rather remote or PC dependant - not like other decks. (But, again, that is what it is designed for...)

Also, I made a mistake in my Aussie prices, the JB940 is still $999AUD, but the JE780 is also $999AUD, and the JB980 is $1199AUD...

 

[Y-Z]

Mystyler, can PC3 record from any audio palyer via digital in or does it have to connect to the computer? Since I can't find any JB940 or 930 anywhere I'm thinking of getting the PC3.

Thanks,

Zhou

 

[myself, aka me]

'Tis a PC orientated deck, but it's got the standard optical ins and an out, (+ analogue, I assume). It has a whopping 4 buttons on the unit, including power button. Needs a 'mote for most functions..

Mystyler: PC1 works the same as your PC3 aye? That means the PC3 works the same as all sony decks

Pity it's the weekend and I don't have the PC1 yet.

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mystyler redshifter, I checked some specs on the JB940 and JB980, and they use current pulse DACs...and my PC3 uses hybrid.

that's what i get for trusting a 3rd party review and not checking specs for myself. thanks, mystyler. in any case, i can tell you the jb930 is an amazing sounding deck.

 

[Mystyler]

Quote:

Originally posted by Y-Z Mystyler, can PC3 record from any audio palyer via digital in or does it have to connect to the computer? Since I can't find any JB940 or 930 anywhere I'm thinking of getting the PC3. Thanks, Zhou

Can record from anything via optical or analog.
It might be worth noting, that due to its small size, that all the analog jacks (all two

) are 3.5mm stereo connections.

redshifter, if you even need to "ditch" the deck, it has a nice home waiting here.

 

[Davie]

I'm not familiar with MD, so I can't compare it with CD/MP3. But I've picked up a new 8cm CD/MP3 unit which I think is quite good for both sound quality and portability: Philips EXP431 .

This thing is REALLY SMALL. Smaller, it seems to me, than most MD players I've seen around. I'm getting excellent (close to CD) sound quality using MP3 VBR, encoded using MusicMatch. I like the fact that the little 8cm CDs can be played on any CD player/drive that supports MP3 encoding. If you're thinking about sticking with CD's I think that this is a very reasonable option.

 

[Mystyler]

Davie, both my MD units are smaller than that...you must have seen the older "brick" model MDs.

And, if you really want small, check these out.

 

[Watchdog]

My first reaction was that the Philips player didn't look small to me, but then I realized there was nothing else in the picture, so it is a bit difficult to tell how big it really is.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mystyler Davie, both my MD units are smaller than that...you must have seen the older "brick" model MDs. And, if you really want small, check these out.

Yeah, I guess I've seen the "bricks." Those players you pointed out sure look small. And that site looks like the starting point I've been needing to begin to figure this MD stuff out. Based on the pictures with the hands holding the units, which give some sense of scale (unless they use especially big hands to make the players look smaller), I'd say that the Philips player is in the same general size range, but it doesn't look as slim. Also, the battery specs on the MD players look much better.

What, briefly, are the advantages of MD that would make it worthwhile switching from the more widely-supported CD/MP3 format, given that I have a CD player that seems to be in at least the same ballpark as MD?

Quote:

My first reaction was that the Philips player didn't look small to me, but then I realized there was nothing else in the picture, so it is a bit difficult to tell how big it really is.

The pictures on the Philips web site are kind of misleading, especially since the EXP413 has the same general shape and styling as their regular-size MP3 players. I would encourage you to go and have a look at a retail outlet, although at this point I've only seen them at Virgin Megastore. Anybody know of any other stores that carry a good selection of Philips?

I don't know how the Philips compares with MD, but it sure beats any previous model of 8cm CD/MP3 in terms of both size and features.

 

[dgs]

Braver, nice avatar. I finally bothered to replace this album with a CD a few months ago.