MD help... Sony, Sharp or Panasonic?

[Fortune]

I'm considering a new minidisc player/recorder for my portable music needs.

I recently lost a Sony MDR-900DPC. I want to replace it with a top-notch unit...

I'm considering a Sharp DR-7 but I'm afraid of the strong bass that the sharp players are supposed to have.

I really want true music reproduction as opposed to a unit that sounds good with drums, bass and electronica.

Any thoughts or opinions on sharp vs. sony? I'm told that the panasonics are right in the middle of the two. Anyone have a panasonic?

 

[was ist los?]

I say Sharp DR-7, even though i don't own one, it seems to be the common agreement that sharp is superior. I looked at the panasonics at audiocubes and they are weak. They have like 3mw per channel!

 

[myself, aka me]

That 3.5mW x2 is about as strong as the Sony 5mW amp. The DR7 does *not* have overly emphasised bass. It sounds neutral, to me. The Sony E900 seems to have a strong mid but less bass.. it erm.. sounds good, but the DR7 sounds awesome.

 

[skagen]

Seeking best sound and value for the money: DR7 wins.

 

[Fortune]

thank you

 

[joelongwood]

I have a number of Sharp units, and the DR7 does not exhibit the somewhat emphasized bass response of the others. I think the D in DR7 stands for DETAILS.......because the DR7 has them in spades.

 

[DLP]

I received my MT180 yesterday. It's the budget model and cost $100 from a reliable guy on Ebay. It has 10mW per channel at 32 ohms. To my ears, it sounds a great deal better than the MT770 I had which recently started dying on me. It sounds a lot smoother, and the ability to drive my Eggos is a great deal better than the MT770. I haven't heard the DR7 or the DS8 or the DS5, all of which have the Auvi amp, but I think this as a budget model, is a great great great value. I'm not sure about it's build quality and how long it'll last, but I think soundwise it's awesome, a step far above the previous top generation of Sharp Minidisc recorders.

 

[swalker]

They all have different sonic signatures. The old Sharp models have very warm sound with emphasized bass and rolled-off treble. (and yet, they tend to have more sibilance than Sonys...hmm). Sony models have more extended highs but to me they sound a little thin and harsh compared to the Sharp Auvis. The new Sharps sound somewhere in the middle, with high that's not as accentuated as Sony but with less emphasized bass than old Sharp units. Dolby Headphone is a nice bonus too.