Thoughts on Sony MZ-R500

[stymie miasma]

Hi Folks,

For the last few days I have been seriously contemplating taking the plunge into portable audio. Up until now, I have only ever had a Sony Walkman (cassette) which rarely gets used now as it is too bulky and impractical. Minidiscs have taken my fancy over PCDPs, for the obvious reasons of better skip resistance, longer battery life, smaller size and versatility especially with MDLP.

My budget is a bit tight at present, and portable recording MDs are still a bit pricey here in Australia. The two models I am considering are both Sony - the MZ-R500 and MZ-R700. Basically, all I really want to be able to do is record onto MDs and then listen on the go which may sometimes include running now that the weather is warming up

I have no real desire to record live music or ambient sounds, nor can I afford the price of the microphone at this point in time. That may change in the furture, but I'm hoping that in the future (a) i will have more money, and (b) the technology will be better and cheaper! All my recording will be from CDs as I don't really dabble much with MP3 etc. I will be recording via RCA cables from an oldish Onkyo receiver.

Anyway, I obviously value sound quality, so that is going to be on top of my list, however I don't have golden ears by any stretch of the imagination! I tend to be a bit rough with gear, and the future unit will have to contend with the insides of my courier bag which often includes heavy bike locks, books, bananas and the like. The unit will need to be solid! Finally, I am keen for a good battery system as I dont want to stuff around with lead-acid batteries. A rechargable NiMH system would be ideal.

I can get the R500 for about AUS$349 and a set of 4 NiMH AA batteries with charger for a further AUS$49. This will bring the price up to the $400 mark, which is still about $50-70 shy of the R700 which itself only comes with NiCAD batteries.

SO...will the R500 meet these needs? I realise the R500 is a pretty simple unit, but I think that is really all I need - hell, I'm a pretty simple guy! I guess my main concern is build quality. I would be grateful to hear of anyone's experiences with this unit as well as any issues that I haven't addressed that you think I really should be considering.

Oh, and coolvij - thnaks for the review of the R700. It was very informative. I'd be keen to know if you had any thoughts of the R500 from the perspective of the R700

TIA

 

[dgs]

Quote:

Originally posted by stymie miasma I tend to be a bit rough with gear, and the future unit will have to contend with the insides of my courier bag which often includes heavy bike locks, books, bananas and the like. The unit will need to be solid!

I have the 700, and I am really pleased with its durability. I haven't held the 500 in my hands, but I have heard that it has a plastic casing or lid, and people here have expressed concern that this would make it easier to damage.

No matter which unit you get, it sounds like a little case wouldn't be a bad idea. Rather than spend upwards of 30-50USD for a MD case, you can always use a small camera case that will allow you to keep the MD, a few minidisks, and earbuds/plugs all inside for easy transport and protection. The camera case I use costs $9.

 

[mackay maus]

I would consider the discontinued MZ-R37. It can be found on ebay in the $100USD (and as a Canadian with a wothless dollar, I share your pain when discussing US funds!) I bought mine new for $180CAD.

It has a separate line out (For when you buy your headphone amp), 40 second antiskip, metal case and easy to use controls. One big plus is it takes AA batteries internally. I find the gumsticks in my other MD machines a pain sometime.

I can't compare the sound to the 500 etc. I only use it to record internet radio for my runs, and it sounds fine to me even through the ER4Ps. (I use a Sony ES home deck for all my dubbing.)

Hope that helps.

Matthew

 

[Braver]

I'd say Sharp MD-MT88 or 99 (with remote and optical cable) (MDLP versions of the 80 and 90). they are just coming out here in Europe. you get a solid aluminum case, great size and functionality, 10mW of power and mx400 earbuds. and it uses regular AA NiHMs so it's easy to get a few for backup. 40sec antiskip (equals no skipping). the 99 goes for US$200 IIRC.

and at least get a neoprene bag like those from Caselogic if you're putting the mdp between heavy stuff like books. they cost about US$10 or something.

 

[coolvij]

stymie: Thank YOU for the compliment on my review; I'd personally spring for the R700, as the 500 is NOT all aluminum like the 700, and it doesn't have as nice of a display. Just my thoughts.

(don't forget TITLING!!!

)

 

[blr]

I'll second Braver on the Sharp. If you don't fancy MDLP get even the older MT80 or 90. Nice solid build, 10 mW power (currently the only MDP to my knowledge with 10 mW output)
Brawer, I didn't know they come packed with MX400 buds, but that's really nice. At least it spares you some cash until you can get better phones.

 

[Braver]

I've heard reports of the mt80 coming with other not so good earbuds IIRC. but mine came with a mx400. might be just Europe tho, these things can be different from the USA versions.

 

[stymie miasma]

Hey guys!

Thanks for your comments - I have taken them all on board, and donea bit of window shopping. Here are my initial observations:

Sony MZR500 (AUS$349ish

It is a cheap unit, but it is also cheaply made it seems. The unit is entirely plastic and comes with no bells or whistles what-so-ever. It does however have MDLP and G-Shock which is something the older Sony's and Sharp's don't have. Furthermore, the newer Sharps *apparently* don't have a memory system as good as the 2001 Sony's so they may skip if you are running. I am yet to get confirmation of this.

SOny MZR700 (AUS$459ish)

A noticable step-up in qualiy from the R500. The front panel seems to be an alloy of some sort - however one sales person was adament that it was just a very tough plastic, even on the R900. Putting the front panel to my cheek, it feels cold in contrast to the back panel. To my untrained eye (cheek) is appear to be some sort of metal! The R700 comes with a recharger/NiCad batteries and a remote.

Sharp MT80 (AUS$359ish

This is a very solid little unit, but being an old model, it lacks MDLP. It retails in Melbourne for around the smae price as the new Sony R500. I'm not sure what the skip protection is like. The major drawback - which is more aesthetic than anything - is the battery compartment that sits on to of the unit like a torpedo tube. Not very elegant, but as I said, seems a lot sturdier than the Sony models.

Sharp MT99 (AUS$479ish

Very similar is appearance to the MT80, but includes MDLP. Can't recall if memory system is improved over the older MT80 or not. Sharp have retained the 'external' battery compartment

So in short, I am still looking. None of the MDs have really taken my fancy as yet - other than the old Sony R90 - what a solid and visually pleasing little unit!! Very sleek and subtle stylings. Even though it lacks MDLP, I'd be tempted to buy if the price drops from AUS$569 (rrp $799).

And I haven't even taken into account inputs/outputs, functionality or audio quality!!! Yikes

 

[Braver]

yeah, the real good looking players are the more expensive Sharp's

I want that one! no MDLP, but look at it man!

BTW, antiskip on the mt80/90 is 40sec and works really good. haven't been able to let it skip yet.