Would amping help???

[JeffS]

Ok, I just dug out my old MZ-R50 Minidisc that's been collecting dust for
a few years now. I decided to give it a listen with my new er-6i phones.
I used some discs that I had recorded through the optical in on the same unit
about 4 years ago. The sound was great, made me remember why I loved MD way back when. So I decided to compare it to my MZ-N510 which I use daily. Same disc, Same phones, same settings, no eq, no bass boost, no differences.

I heard a difference.

At first I thought that I was imagining it. So I replayed certain tracks to certain points to listen more closely. I can't quite put my finger on it, so I
come to all of you here at headfi for help. What was the difference?

the R50 sounded louder at the same volume levels, but it sounded clearer, cleaner. And this may sound goofy since these aren't the classic tubes we're talking about, but warmer and almost inviting. (No, I haven't had anything to drink yet. Yet)

When I compared it to the same songs, and parts of songs on the 510, the 510 seemed muffled, held back. It almost sounded more processed. I'm guessing this is the difference in the on board DAC. But I noticed that while my R50 was at a smidge over a quarter of the volume, my 510 was a the halfway point. and the 510 still didn't have the impact.

Is this where an amp comes into play?
Would an amp make the 510 sound better?
Am I now spoiled for my retro days, and permenantly stuck living on
older equipment?

Thanks
-Jeff

 

[Kirosia]

I guess the R50 has a better amplifier than the 510. If you've read around the site long enough, you'll notice that most prefer older players (of any portable format) to have better, sometimes louder amps. Or course there some good current players out as well (ipod, sony dne-10, are some considered so).

I don't think buying an amplifier will help out much, unless the 510's line out (does it have one?) sounds better than the R50's headphone out.

 

[Earwax]

What headphones are you using? An amp might help if they are hard to drive, but most often won't make too much of a difference when used from a headphone out jack.

The R10 is one of the more sought after 'vintage' MDs, the newer players just don't have as good of an internal amp as some of the older players -- although I've read some good reports on the latest generation digital amps. (I have an R50 and a R500)

 

[Natsuiro]

Alot of the time judging Sound quality is difficult. If your R50 sounded louder, then it will probably sound cleaner and better etc. Most of the time when people hear identical sources, they will claim the louder one sounded better.
It would be better if you were maybe able to try to adjust them to the same volume levels before testing for sound quality.

 

[JeffS]

Earwax
I'm using Ety ER-6i phones.

Natsurio
I tried getting them to the same volume level. I went to the AVLS limit, and then turned it down 3 clicks on both players. Not the most scientific, but sony sets the limit at the halfway point on the players.

I turned the R50 down further, cause it was too loud, and the 510 up because I wanted to try to hear more. I just sounded mechanical if that makes any sense.

Kirosia
I've read a lot of people talking about vintage pcdps and stuff, but I never would have thought that my R50 that I've had for not quite 6 years, would
be "vintage" but it does sound nice...

 

[erikzen]

I have an R50 also. The headphone out does sound nice but it doesn't have enough power to drive higher impedence cans, like my DT 931's. Lower impedence cans (I'm listening to it right now with some Eggos) do sound nice, although a bit flat.

On the other hand, what the R50 is renowned for, at least around here, is its line out. When paired with my XP-7, the R50 sounds almost as good as my full sized CD player, although admittedly my CDP is not a great unit.

As far as MD players go, the R50 is indeed considered "vintage".

 

[JeffS]

Wow..
cool, I never considered that I had vintage on my own collection.
I used to have Denons first pcdp, but it died. If I would have known then what I know now, I would have spend the $100 do have them crack it open and fix it.

I guess my R50 is going to start getting some more use for around the house casual listening. It's still the only one I'll record live with. It's big by todays standards, but it's a workhorse.


-Jeff