Sharp MT831 vs MT90?

[pdc00]

Hi,

I've got the Sharp 701 and want to upgrade. Is there any difference in sound quality using these players, either as a portable or using line out? How about feature differences?

What is the best UK price for these players? The 831 is £180 in Richer Sounds (it's been cheaper but not now) and I think the 90 is about £135.

Phil

 

[MacDEF]

The main differences I could find:

MT831
79.4 x 17.9 x 81.1mm, 163g
lineout
15 hour playback/10 hour record per charge
digital record level control
available PC link for titling and editing
auto fade in/out available for recording
10mW x 2 headphone output

MT90:
81.1 x 19.9 x 92.4 mm, 172g
no lineout
12 hour playback/7 hour record per charge
no digital record level control
no PC link for titling and editing
no fade in/out for recording available
5mW x 2 headphone output

IMHO, the 831 is a much better unit

 

[thomas]

Ditto...

The MT90 is the low-cost version of the normal sharp recorders. So they generally remove features like LCD remotes, gumstick batteries, antiskip, etc.

THe 831 is the top-of the line model, from the previous year. It was the last time Sharp had the 10mW/channel amps. In that year, they also had a low-cost version, the MD-MT15 and MT20, these units are quite large and lack all cool features found in the more expensive model, but the basic electronics (except antiskip) and mechanical parts are identical. So they also have great sound, but are less convieninet to use.

 

[chriscu1]

Just to correct the earlier post, the MT90 does have the 10mW output, not 5.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Just to correct the earlier post, the MT90 does have the 10mW output, not 5.

Hmmm... while MiniDisco.com lists the output as 10mW/channel, I've seen it listed as 5mW numerous other places. One of the big spec changes from the 831 model year to the MT90 model year was supposedly weaker headphone outputs across the board, so I'd like to know if they made an exception here. That would be nice...

 

[chriscu1]

The full review here on head-fi also lists it at 10mW. Maybe the person who wrote this will see this thread and verify. I've also seen it listed as such in a lot of places selling it. I'm getting this unit tomorrow (couldn't pass it up at $115) so I'll be able to tell you directly from the manual. It's supposed to have the digital recording level control too so that's another thing I'll have to check out. I'll agree that the 831 is the better player, though. I think the MT90 is for entry-level (aka poor) people like me, so I don't think it would be an upgrade for most folks, especially since it doesn't have MDLP. If I had the cash I would get the newest Sharp(880?) with Dolby Headphone. I think it just became available. I was on a site yesterday that sells imported units, and they had it listed in stock for I think $330. Can't remember for the life of me what that site was, though. Hopefully we'll see something like that in a US version soon.

 

[skippy]

i own the mt90 and the manual states 10+10mw into a 16 ohm load. and it does have digital recording level control.

 

[MacDEF]

Thanks, Skippy!

Quote:

I think the MT90 is for entry-level (aka poor) people like me, so I don't think it would be an upgrade for most folks, especially since it doesn't have MDLP.

LOL, well, it's still a very good unit, criscu1. You shouldn't feel bad at all

 

[Steril]

Chriscu, I guess 'poor' people can't afford a MD recorder at all.

I own a Sharp MDSR 70 which is also an entry level MD recorder, and I'm very happy with it: it's build like a tank!

 

[pdc00]

OK, I'm pretty much sold on the 831... can you get the blue version in the UK, as I've only seen the silver. And if anyone sees it (blue or silver) going cheaper than £180 can they please email me or reply to forum?

phil.carmalt@hotmail.com

)

Thanks all!