Sharp MD-MT180 opinions needed

[appar111]

I am going to be getting one of these, brand new, not refurbished, for around $85, and was wondering what I can expect. I will be using it for trips to the gym, general music listening (lots of rock and hip hop/rap) and recording my band's live performances (line in, not via mic).

How will the MT180 fare for these applications? I have heard nothing but good things with regard tot he sound quality as compared to the Sony units across the board. I have been using an MZ-R55 and MZ-E909. Any comparisons on the sound quality as compared to those two units?

Also, what can I expect, build quality-wise, from the Sharp?

thanks in advance for the opinions!
appar111

 

[Tina]

Quote:

Originally posted by appar111 I am going to be getting one of these, brand new, not refurbished, for around $85

omg!!!!!!!!!!! just grab it NOW. these (mt-170/180/190/200) are the only sharp mdlp recorders with full power specs of 10mW per channel (32ohms).

Quote:

Originally posted by appar111 ...and recording my band's live performances (line in, not via mic).

according to this portal page, MD-MT170/180 has no remote or microphone input. but as you pointed out that you don't need the mic, then you're on the right track.

Quote:

Originally posted by appar111 I have heard nothing but good things with regard tot he sound quality as compared to the Sony units across the board.

that's hard fact. you'll find out soon enough.

Quote:

Originally posted by appar111 I have been using an MZ-R55 and MZ-E909. Any comparisons on the sound quality as compared to those two units?

i don't have those precise units for comparison but i have the n1 vs dr7 = not even close using the er4p.
'me' has the r50 vs dr7 = dr7 stomps on the sony.

as for built quality, if you check out the t-board, most of the disaster problems point to "my n1 is going kapput!"..."my Rxxx can't record"..."my Exxx plays backwards"lol ..."dropped my N10, now it's dead". you can seldomn see Sharp problems. some dr7 owners have had dents from falls already and still works like new. holding a sharp unit alone will give you the idea what kind of "tiny tank" you have

.

happy shopping!!!

 

[RYCeT]

any other comments guys? I really like to know more about this player, it seems that it's durable enough. Does anyone has any problem with this player?
Currently I am considering to buy sharp mt-180 or sony n-1? From what I read on minidisct forum, it seems that sony n-1 isn't durable enough (I'm going to use it for bicycling and traveling to work) So it seems that I'm going for a sharp this time, I like sony very much though, especially the remote, I don't think sharp remote even come close to the functionality of sony's. But, it's the durability that matters this time and it seems that the sharp is cheap enough on ebay currently.

 

[dudlew]

I never owned that model but the two that i have owned are excellent models from sharp. I have scarcely heard anything bad about sharp portables and from my experience would recommend them anyday.

D

 

[Superbaldguy]

The MZ-N1 appears not to be the most reliable MDR Sony makes, for sure. I don't own one, but have the MZ-R909 and R910, and they're excellent units.

A lot of what you read about Sony stuff may be the result of more people owning Sony MD gear, thus the more likelihood of reported problems. I do not care much for the low to mid-line Sony units, like the MZ-N5xx and MZ-N7xx series, as they are not made to high standards; you certainly see a LOT of problems with those recorders.

The lifespan of any MDR is about two to three years, maybe more, and that's life. The recording head mechanism seems to be short-lived and replacement is often uneconomical.

I *do* like the newer Sharp units, like the DR7 recorder and the DS5, DS8/9 players. Sweet.

 

[einolu]

plz take not that tine is a sharp lover.

tina did u say once that u have/had a st60??? wow, that thing is magestic, lol. anyhoo, ot here, but is the build on the mt 770 any good?

as for ur question, id spend a little less and get a mt190 or 200 because of the mic in. if u are recording a band, live dubs always sound super cool (unless u using a battery box with ur mic which will probably give better results...). it seems like a good unit, good luck!

~EO

 

[Tina]

Quote:

Originally posted by einolu plz take not that tine is a sharp lover.

hi lu! it's not tine, it's tina

. and also take note that my very first unit was the mz-n1 and loved it to pieces and would slap anybody's hands from touching it.....

......until i heard a sharp

.

i'm afraid, once you hear it (with good ear gear of course), you're doomed. especially an auvi unit.

Quote:

Originally posted by einolu tina did u say once that u have/had a st60??? wow, that thing is magestic, lol.

it's still working like new and going strong. this tiny thing can't even equal all my portables, decks and a nakamitchi bookshelf thru the headphone out. i swear on this. and i'll use a butcher's knife if even my boyfriend would touch it.

Quote:

Originally posted by einolu anyhoo, ot here, but is the build on the mt 770 any good?

like a tank. leon has the 770 and he can help on this dept.
maybe it's just me but any brand of md unit i came across beats a sony in built quality. sbg sorry but it's true. it has been repeated again and again in a lot of reviews and comparisons. but i still say those old sony bricks are solid. just don't drop em. the weight would help the gravity.

appar111: what's the price of the mt190/mt200. a little upgrade won't hurt, i suppose.

 

[PodMan]

I am looking into this sharp recorder as well because my N505's directional pad is malfunctioning, limiting its uses as a player. I rather not deal with Sony tech support since it supposedly takes them 3 months to get your player back. Also, they quoted me $87 for repair. I thought the warranty is 1 yr for registered players? anyway for $87, i might as well get a new player.


so would this player beat an N1/N505 in sound quality quite easily?

from the one picture I've seen of the MT180, it looks kinda big. is it as big as the N505?

 

[Tina]

Quote:

Originally posted by PodMan so would this player beat an N1/N505 in sound quality quite easily?

quite easily

. if the mt770 (5mW) beats the mz-n1, the 180 (10mW

) doesn't even need to be compared.

Quote:

Originally posted by PodMan from the one picture I've seen of the MT180, it looks kinda big. is it as big as the N505?

having personally seen the mt200, i'd say it's not a small player in sony's standards

. i think sharp pursued in designing these series that way for the built quality and better internals.
anyway, here are the dimensions in mm:

mz-n505 = 81d x 27.9h x 74.7w
md-mt-180 = 83d x 22.9h x 76w

weight:
130g (w/batt)
146g w/batt

 

[PodMan]

cool thanks for the info. the sharp isn't that much bigger and it seems slimmer because it doesn't have that battery hump.


also Tina, how long have you had the N1 and has it given you any reliability problems?
for me, my N1 has been trouble-free. it even flew halfway across the interior of my car once landing on the floor and it seems to be fine. I even cleared out a thick layer of dirt from the inside lid. I am just getting a little paranoid about the N1 seeing the build quality of my N505 and the number of complaints on the T-boards about the N1. if only Sharp would distribute their players in the US.

 

[einolu]

lol, tine, hehe. anyway, i already had leon take pix of it for me a while back (here... ), now i just have to wait for the money to roll in (this would start when i got my job, but im too lazy).

~EO

ps: sry for the pointless reply...

 

[Tina]

Quote:

Originally posted by PodMan also Tina, how long have you had the N1 and has it given you any reliability problems? for me, my N1 has been trouble-free.

same here. had the n1 for about ten months now and everything's a-okay with it. before i bought it, i too have read the countless complaints about how fragile and flimsy it is so i had a soft leather case exclusively made for it a few days upon ownership. even the software didn't give me a problem (but you could only count the times i used netmd anyway). i guess it's on how people care for their equipment. at least a month, i use compressed air for the insides of my md units. dust is a problem especially for your regular encoders.