Sony or Sharp?

[zool]

I'm thinking of getting a new MD player. Not really sure which one I should get though. I'm going to be using it with a fixup super mini v5 amp and D66 eggo.

I'm thinking either Sony MZ-707 or Sharp MT-899.. What do you guys reckon? sony or sharp? mz-707 seems to have longer battery life, 56h!? While Sharp has 33h... Other then that they both pretty much seem to have the same functions. Both of them are in the same price range, mz-707 is just a little bit cheaper. I want a NetMD, I can't stand waiting while the dang thing records.

Anyway I'd really like to know which one sounds the best. Anyone had a listen to both of them?

Thanks.

 

[redshifter]

i heard my brother in laws mt877 and it sounded grainy and thin compared to my sony r70. fwiw.

 

[Superbaldguy]

The general consensus about the Sharp vs. Sony sound debate is that Sharp MD units tend to emphasize the bass end moreso than Sony MD units, but the latter have a more balanced sound. With EQ settings, the differences aren't as much an issue as they were a couple years ago.

You can get a more powerful headphone amp with Sharp units; the DR7 is rated for 8 mW @ 32 ohms. The budget-priced MT180/90/200 models have 10 mW @ 32ohms This in itself is a big plus, although I'm a Sonyphile.

 

[zool]

Yeah, I hear what your saying. I have an old Sharp 701. I really like they way it handles the bass, soft and not at all overblown. Not like the old Sony Walkman and Discman's.. The "mega bass" function was total crap imo. But I haven't heard any Sony MD's yet.. Not any of the newer Discman's either when I come to think of it. I haven't been to much in to portables for the last couple of years.

I have to say that I feel more tempted to get Sony mz707.. The fact that the batteries last for up to 56 hours, that's amazing to me. The batteries in my old 701 last for about 5 hours.

Sharp has incredible build quality though. I've had my 701 for a looong time and through that time I've dropped it several times and also spilled some pepsi on it once. Damn thing still works as good as the day I bought it.

Btw, I'm not a clumsy person.. Just unlucky some times

 

[bangraman]

My MD-MT888 is something I won't be letting go of in a hurry (unless they come out with something better). It sounds GREAT and puts every other portable CD player I've heard to shame. You also have much more leeway compared to the N707 (which I sold recently) when you don't want to take your amp with you as well, although with the fixup that's not such a big problem. If you need Net MD, I think there's a Net MD version of the MT888 out. I've not actually seen it but from the pictures it looks very similar.

 

[Duncan]

Thats the MT889 isn't it Bangraman??

If you want, when we do our mini-meet next weekend, i'll bring along my E10, so you can grab a listen?!

 

[zool]

Duncan..

you men mt899?

I've done some searches and I can't find any mt888's with usb. 888 and 899 look pretty damn similar aswell.

I have to listen to the 707 before I make a decision. I know Sharp makes good sounding MD's. If the 707's batteries wasn't so damn long lasting... I would have probably got the mt899, no questions asked.

 

[zool]

Hmm.. Just saw that Sony mz-r909 and it costs exactly the same as mt-899. The batteries in r909 last for up to 84 hours!!.. Hows that for long lasting? That's more then twice as much as mt899's. Only downside is that it doesn't have usb. What?! Is this suppose to be a newer model then 707?.. If so why doesn't it have usb?

 

[Superbaldguy]

The R909 is not an Net MD recorder, so no USB.

Sony's battery life specs are way overrated, from my experiences with their MD equipment, particularly recorder figures. That 84-hour battery life is with both the NH-14WM and AA cell add-on pack.

The R909 is an excellent, solidly-built unit.

 

[myself, aka me]

The R909 is the same age as the N707, it's for people like me, who think NetMD blows

Remember the figures you quote are for LP4 quality, including the AA pack and gumstick battery, or merely AA pack for the 707.


As for long lasting, I guess 84 is okay for a quote. My DR7 is quoted 120 hours though! AND it sounds super, too

 

[LTUCCI1924]

Duncan
HI: How are you? My E10 has been shipped and I am wondering how do the eggo D66 sound out of it? I will also be using my super mini amp with it. Have you used a portable amp with the E10? Do I have to use the remote or can I plug into the unite itself? My last mini disc the Sony MDR-700 at 5 m/w was not very loud playing with out a amp.

 

[Duncan]

Lou...

You don't HAVE to use the remote, no... inside the box, there is a little cable that terminates in a female jack plug (socket)...

You can plug your amp into there... just make sure you turn the beeps off on the unit first though, else your ears will bleed whenever you change tracks

I myself haven't used an amp though Lou, I find the Eggos go plenty loud enough on their own... especially when in 'Unique' mode... and don't forget its got a 6 band EQ for you to play with

Hope you enjoy it Lou

 

[myself, aka me]

I wonder how many people have their E10/N10 EQ looking like this:
-_....._-
....- -

 

[Tina]

Quote:

Originally posted by Superbaldguy ...is that Sharp MD units tend to emphasize the bass end moreso than Sony MD units, but the latter have a more balanced sound.[/B]

sbg

you have responded countless times using that statement. i suggest you get your facts straight by listening to them yourself before misleading readers. do get a dr7 or a ds8 or even an mt770 if you want to know what balanced sound means with your er4p. and don't set your sharp to bass step 3.

 

[myself, aka me]

Tina, deary me..

(set DR7 to bass 3). Although, it doesn't completely wipe out the other frequencies!

It seems to me that my R37 had a less deep bass.. I don't know. Like a screechy high, too. My sharp has deeper bass, which seems almosttttt too much on bass one, treb. 2. It sounds MDS-PC1 like, but more spacious and a little less powerful. My E900 sounded okay I guess.. But I keep on remembering it as giving a nasty aftertaste, if you get what I mean.