Question for an MZ-R50 owner ...

[anearfull]

I bought a Sony MZ-R50 on eBay and it just arrived. It was described in the eBay listing as being "in perfect condition" however I'm disappointed in what I've received.

Apart from minor scratching, the battery charger is missing so I can't even check out if it's operational (it was shipped with the power left in the “on” position so the battery is totally dead). That missing charger could be a simple oversight on the seller’s part that he can remedy by simply finding the charger and sending it.

Without even turning it on, I think I see another problem that may be more serious. Before complaining too loudly to him or eBay I want to know if what I'm seeing is really a defect or is it normal for this model.

Here’s what I’m seeing:
When I actuate the "open" button, the disk bay door only pops open a few millimeters. In order to get the door to fully open so I can insert or remove the disk, I have to pry it up a bit with my fingers after which the door pops open all the way. Is this behavior normal or am I looking at a damaged door mechanism?

This is the first item I’ve ever bought on eBay. If the goods are not as advertised, can I get eBay to undo the transaction?

Thanks

 

[Fish Tank X]

It's normal.

The disc should eject partly when the MZ-R50 is opened. But the door should not eject all the way. Atleast, from my memory.

 

[IpaqMan]

I have kept my MZ-R50 because it is considered one of the best built MD recorders.

Yes, my lid opens only a 1/4 inch or so. You gently lift the lid up to a full inch high.

There are a number of AC adapters that will charge the R50.

Here is a list that work with my R50:

1) Compaq Ipaq 3xxx/22xx/19xx AC adapter
2) Compaq Aero AC adapter
3) Casio E-1XX AC adapter
4) Sharp MD recorder AC adapter
5) Minolta Dimage X AC adapter
6) Nomad Jukebox 3 AC adapter

These are mostly 5+ high current AC adapters. The R50 seems to work with 5 to 6 volt high current adapters. That would include a lot of the 5 volt external battery packs for the Ipaqs.

Have fun with the R50. It has been a favorite of mine for recording. I only wish it supported LP2 and LP4.

BTW, the full R50 kit includes a lion battery, a 2 AA cell external battery pack (screws on), an AC charger/adapter (not expensive), a folding earphone headset, and a LCD remote control.

 

[redshifter]

i also have a mz-r50, the door on yours is fine, that's just how it is made.

i also have the wall wart:
sony ac-mz60a
input: ac 120v
output: dc 6v 800mA
plug polarity: - on outside / + on inside

also the lith-ion battery:
sony lip-8

aa battery pack:
sony battery case ebp-mzr4

hope this helps.

 

[anearfull]

Thanks guys:
It's great to hear the door is working normally ... whew!

I used the outboard battery to test it and everything seems OK. That line-out is solid gold... running through my SuperMini amp and into Alessandro MS1 cans sounds Fabulous

Hopefully my seller can find the Sony charger and send it along. If I have to find my own charger here I suppose there's a Radio Shack model that will do the job.

More newbie questions:
1) I wanted to clip it to my belt for portable use but don't see a way to do that. I notice that there's a small threaded hole on the back ... is that for securing it to a beltclip? What’s the best way to carry a little beast like this while jogging?

2) The manual talks of an SCMS copy protection scheme. Will that prevent me from making digital copies from any ripped CDs I have in my collection?

Thanx

Peter

 

[marios_mar]

If you got any system with optical out u can turn off recording sync and press record and then press pause. Then you listen to your source through R-50s DAC which is excellent. That means that if you have got no better source u can use the R50s DAC.

Anyway thats just some info for anyone who wants to try it out and see what a good DAC the R50 has. It sounds better to me than my D-25 vintage discman.

Now I ll give you the answers to your problems.

1.Get one of those bags that are for around your waist and put it in and use the remote control while joging

2. If your CDRs were made using a CDR deck then u probably wont be copyable to MD via the optical cable . Only through the analog way. If they were made on PC no problem. But If you want to make digital copies of your copies later or transfer an MD via the line out of an MD deck (in the future maybe) to your PC to CDR or anything you wont be able to do that.
If you are lucky enough and your R50 has the older firmware then u can simply enter the service mode and press some combination of the keys and just turn the SCMS off so no worries no problem. Also there must be external SCMS strippers but they must cost more.

 

[anearfull]

Quote:

Originally posted by marios_mar If you got any system with optical out u can turn off recording sync and press record and then press pause. Then you listen to your source through R-50s DAC which is excellent. That means that if you have got no better source u can use the R50s DAC. Anyway thats just some info for anyone who wants to try it out and see what a good DAC the R50 has. It sounds better to me than my D-25 vintage discman. Now I ll give you the answers to your problems. 1.Get one of those bags that are for around your waist and put it in and use the remote control while joging 2. If your CDRs were made using a CDR deck then u probably wont be copyable to MD via the optical cable . Only through the analog way. If they were made on PC no problem. But If you want to make digital copies of your copies later or transfer an MD via the line out of an MD deck (in the future maybe) to your PC to CDR or anything you wont be able to do that. If you are lucky enough and your R50 has the older firmware then u can simply enter the service mode and press some combination of the keys and just turn the SCMS off so no worries no problem. Also there must be external SCMS strippers but they must cost more.

Thanks for the DAC tip.

I don't have an optical out on my PC however I'm waiting delivery of a Xitel MD-port DG2. When it arrives I should have no problem getting my CDs over to MD (I ripped them on a PC). Can I expect a significant improvement over analog recording?

Even recording analog, I'm really impressed with the sound of this thing. The line-out gives a really fantastic sound. Amped with a SuperMini, it seems to smooth out the Grado sound just enough to make it even more musical than listening to the source CD.

I'm Very Happy!

 

[evil-zen]

for the r50, i used a 4.5V sony discman charger and it works fine.

 

[marios_mar]

If you are recording off a cheap sound card you should have quite some improvement. The analog recording can be as good depending on the source and flavored by the R50s sound.

 

[redshifter]

another tip:
when recording via analog on the r50, remember to set the recording mode to "manual", and set the recording level to peak at about -4 to -2 db. with "auto" recording levels there can be some loss of dynamics.

 

[marios_mar]

why is that?

I always record vinyl in auto mode but it never clips or anything .Do u think I am losing soundwise? Let me know what u know pls.

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally posted by marios_mar why is that? I always record vinyl in auto mode but it never clips or anything .Do u think I am losing soundwise? Let me know what u know pls.

you are losing dynamics. in "auto" mode peaks are limited to prevent clipping, and quiet passages are boosted in volume.

try to find the loudest passage on your vinyl, set the md unit to record manual, and set the peak level as i indicated. no harm in trying, and you will hear an improvement in dynamics.