Help with best sounding portable setup

[Tina]

whoa...nice thread. i wanna add some of my findings since i own quite a few units myself (md).

if memory serves me right, i read at post at the t-board before that the r50 sounds better than the r70. redshifter, you can help on this.

then, "me" has the r50 and the dr7. the dr7 stands taller in sound quality.

my dr7 sounds better than my mz-n1, ct570 pcdp. it's on par with my aiwa am-f70 which has the strong output power of 10mW (32ohms). my slim-x? still resting in the closet.

to my ears, the dr7 is quite close behind my sharp mt831. but nevertheless, it's behind.

a lot of md people would vote to put my mt831 on the best sounding portable out there.

but i disagree. the king of my md collection in terms of sound quality is my sharp md-st60 (player). all my other portables are not even close. soundstage, clarity, power, punch...you name it. it's also like a v12 engine...freakin power hungry. i was so lucky i found this for only $40 iicr NEW.

if you'll be hunting down your r70, i suggest you look out for classic sharps out there.

my 2 cents.

 

[Andrew Pielet]

Upgrading to a meta would greatly improve all your sources. I have an upgradable Meta (black bigger case) w/ 823 opamp which is very portable, and has a long battery life (2 9 volt)

 

[redshifter]

the main body of the r70 is almost exactly 4 stacked minidisc in size. i've seen many versions of the ipod and i know the r70 is smaller and lighter.

tina,
i have both the r50 and the r70, and i prefer the r70 headphone out. the r50 is just fine, but the r70 is warmer, with better bass. now the r50 has one of the best line-outs i've ever heard on a portable. i actually like it better than the line out on the d777 pcdp (cha47 amp, markertec cables, sony d66 or grado sr125, atrac r).

i listened to my brother in law's aiwa md recorder--i don't recall the model but it was new, about 5 stacked minidiscs in size, took a gumstick battery, had colored flashing lights on the lid, and animated music notes on the display. it sounded thin and grainy compared to the r70.

-edit-
my bad, i checked out minidisc.org's equipment browser and found out my brother in law's md unit is this sharp:

i did not care for the headphone out at all.

 

[guzzler]

Sony still own for style though, which we all have to concede is at least a minor selling point!

g

 

[Tina]

hi redshifter. how are you?

the r70 seems to be a good unit. for what it's worth though, there's a t-board member who owns both the r70 and a ds8. and he can clarify the ds8 to sound better by a mile. his handle name's yayaba, for those that want to clarify.

as for the sharp 877, i'm afraid the early MDLP units of sharp doesn't really gain that audiophile reputation for others, nor for leon iicr. i had the st77 (first sharp MDLP player and sibling of the mt77 recorder) it's nothing special to my ears when i compared it with my mt831. then again, every early sharp MDLP portable compared to the 831 sounds inferior (yup, even the 831 clone kenwood lr7; leon has both).

but anyway, if the r70 sounds good to a prominent head-fi member, i'll try to audition one here soon. but i'd be very surprised if it could margin st60 baby

.

take care.

tina

 

[erikzen]

Tina,

Your right, this is a nice thread! Lots of ideas for improving my portable sound.

Here's my "wish list" so far:

D66 Eggos
Meta42 Amp
Sharp MD-ST60, if I can find one
Sony E10

However, I'm going to judge whether or not I purchase any other MD players based on how the Eggos sound with my R70. Of course, if I can find the st60 for a good price I'll probably buy it.

I was going to order the Eggos today as it's payday, but my wife just informed me that she needs to buy some furniture, some bookshelves.

Furniture, freaking furniture! How can she think about buying furniture when I want to buy headphones!

 

[redshifter]

hi tina,
i'm fine thanks. i hope everything is going well on your end.

i've never heard the ds8, but it just may be when i do i'll toss my good old mzr70 into a drawer. who knows? i will say this, the r70 combined with the d66 eggos is specifically what i am talking about. the r70 + v6 is not as good as the d777 + v6 for example, or the grado sr125 + r70 is nowhere near as good as r50 + cha47 + sr125. so i don't want everyone to get the idea that the r70 is some sort of giant killer, rather it is a sturdy, compact md unit that to my ears is a perfect match for the d66. some members have commented on the importance of source matching on sony's high end headphones like the cd3000, and i have noticed this is true for some of sony's lower priced, good cans as well. in a nutshell the r70 is the best compact portable source for the d66 i have heard... so far.

 

[Tina]

Quote:

Originally posted by redshifter ...rather it is a sturdy, compact md unit that to my ears is a perfect match for the d66.

hi redshifter. i'm very happy these days. hope you're great too. thanks for your reply. we learn something everyday.

arrrggghhhhh....another entry on my shopping list. i may also audition the player counterpart e70 for the d66.

i don't know why i started posting back here again. this place ain't safe as i thought.

 

[Watchdog]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tina i don't know why i started posting back here again. this place ain't safe as i thought.

Unsafe? By making you want to buy more equipment?

 

[Tina]

hi watchdog.

women and shopping. go figure.

i just finished a long discussion with another d66 owner. with the units i have now, the r70 won't have magic. i'd still be auditioning it soon though. can't wait.

i wonder why purk is so quiet. he'd really be a great person too for this thread.

purk, i miss you.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: If you got the eggo D66 that might be all you really need for great sound portably with the mini disc and super mini amp.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by LTUCCI1924 HI: If you got the eggo D66 that might be all you really need for great sound portably with the mini disc and super mini amp.

Yes, I am definitely going to get the D66s after you and redshifter recommended them.

I see you also have a Meta42. Do you think that's worthwhile for a portable rig or do you think the Super Mini is enough?

 

[LTUCCI1924]

erikzen
HI: My meta42 is 5x5x1/12" and uses two 9 volt batt. but I use a wal-wart with it and use my super mini V5 with my eggos. The super mini amp is the best amp for portable use in my opinion.