One Minidisc Player to Rule Them All

This is an epic battle of minidisc players to see which is the one player to rule them all. A sort of buyer's guide mixed with my favourite players and the reasons why I chose them. Which would you buy if you could only own one?
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Removing duplicates
01:44 Removing Japan-only models
02:24 What will you play with them?
02:56 Home recorded blanks vs pre-recorded albums
03:48 Warning about eBay sellers
04:45 Removing players (leaving recorders)
06:15 SP/LP
08:18 Removing SP-only players
09:18 Power
12:03 The final three
13:09 The Verdict
14:17 Call to Action
Players featured in this video (in no particular order):
Panasonic SJ-MJ80
Sony MZ-N710
Sony MZ-E501
Sony MZ-E900
Panasonic SJ-MJ50
Panasonic SJ-MJ70
Sony MZ-E62
Sony MZ-G750 (AM/FM)
Panasonic SJ-MJ35
Panasonic SJ-MR200
Panasonic SJ-MR250
Sony MZ-N707
Sony MZ-R70
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[@Stuart.87]

Gretting from France. I'm into minidisc because of you. 4 years later I own 7 portable players and 250 minidiscs. For me the best bang for buck ( € ) was the MZ-N510 (own 2 I think you recommended it at the time) and the N-505 (1). The first I own is a MZ-R35 from late 1998 bought in 2020~1.

[@ThalassTKynn]

I ended up getting an N510. For most of the same reasons you have here, except I didn't want to rely on gumstick batteries, when AA batteries will probably be around forever. I love the little thing.

[@javiervasquez1853]

thank so much, kind regards from Veracruz, México.

[@deacbeugene]

I like N505/N510/N520/N707 the most because of AA batteries.

[@brianhoskins1979]

The MZ-R30 was my first ever MiniDisc player. I was 16 at the time, and working part time at a Chinese restaurant while still at school. I'd saved up my money and one day I walked into a store (either Currys or Comet) and bought the MZ-R30 brand new. I still have it, and it's still working perfectly. I still enjoy using it as well, and I've recorded a ton of Minidiscs on it over the years. But I do agree with you that the lack of MDLP rules it out as the _ideal_ device for someone who wants to get into MD in 2023.

[@CBitsTech]

I love the story of your R30. It's amazing that this cutting edge technology of it's time can still work exactly as it did when it first came out of the box. I can't think of anything new nowadays that will last as long. And it's no problem being SP if you burn the discs yourself, as I've done with most of mine (using my R30). Thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching.

[@darrenc2721]

​@@CBitsTech my story is very similar to yours, same age, worked at debenhams part time. My local hifi shop had the mzr30 but they sold me the display model as they had none in stock. Still works, just doesnt record. Recently replaced it with an identical unit from spain. I had no idea they came in different colors (japanese ones). Reddit has a very large minidisc revival.

[@rastaman5105]

My first portable minidisc is the Sony MZ-R30 , and i,am still used it today !!

[@precisionxt]

MZ-R30 was my first as well. Such a versatile device.

[@Vince26010]

My first portable player/recorder was and still is to this day the MZ-N10. I just bought a new built-in battery for it and it works as new. I love this wonderful piece of tech. A bit later (more than 20 years ago), I bought the MZ-E900 (the same you showed in the video). I also got a new gumstick battery for it a few weeks ago and it's still to this day my go to when out for a walk. I love these two minidisc players. Thanks for the video. I would have made the same choice you did with what was on the table ;-)

[@CBitsTech]

Nice to hear you would have made the same choice, thanks. The MZ-N10 is a beautiful looking machine. I've got an (unsuccessful) MZ-E900 repair video going live on Friday. It's quite boring tbh, but the second half is where I explain what I think is wrong.

[@mattmcg3760]

Really informative, many thanks for sharing.

[@rodpostlethwaite1248]

I started with Minidisc in 1999 but took a slightly different route. I mainly wanted to play CDs in my car as my cassette player used to chew up my tapes so I wanted something more reliable. I tried a portable CD player with a car adapter but it used to skip every time the car went over a bump (frustrating as you can imagine). Minidisc was becoming a bit more affordable so I bought a Hitachi CD/MD combo deck and a car radio/MD unit. I used the car unit in three or four different cars until I got one in 2010 which had a radio/CD player. I took the radio/MD player out of my previous car and put it in the cupboard where it stayed for 10 years. In 2020, just before Covid struck I bought a new car which didn't have a car unit (Dacia Sandero Access) so I decided to get the old stereo fixed in it (this was not as straightforward as 20 years ago!). This rekindled my interest in minidisc and I thought about getting a portable recorder so that I could record via an optical cable (the combo deck doesn't have one). I bought a Sony MZ-R501 (MDLP) on Ebay but, for some reason, it kept losing the signal splitting tracks. I looked again on Ebay and found a Sharp MD-SR50 (plus 3 discs) for £35 and it was in perfect condition and working well. I tend to use that for recording and the Sony for listening on the move (the Sharp has a metal body and is a bit heavier) and for listening to any discs that I acquire that have been recorded in LP. Of all the recorders on your video, I think the 707 is the best looking and the one I would aspire to.

[@CBitsTech]

Sorry, I didn't see your comment three weeks ago. Interesting story. I'd love to get an older car and put a MD or Cassette player in it, but it's not really practical. I suppose I could use a portable MD player with a Bluetooth transmitter to my car radio, but that's not as cool (my opinion of cool). I do like my 707s. Portable CD players in cars were never very good. They'd be even worse with the roads nowadays. Thanks again for the comment and background.

[@CBitsTech]

Actually, you just gave me an idea for another video. Thanks.

[@jib6984ify]

The radio version was my first one and i loved it. Think im gonna try at get ut going again.

[@CBitsTech]

Great! Good luck. Nice player.

[@justinrichards9625]

I must admit I love my R700, partner from new and love to evangelize to my younger colleagues at work, most of which think CD is outdated lol. Something about having a physical thing you can interact with - tho I do use my phone a great deal, but if you forget to set things up right you're music listening experience it broken by calls,texts etc. So I do try to put things on MD

[@CBitsTech]

I'm the same. Mostly I use streaming because I always have my phone with me, but you can't beat the experience of using physical media, especially if you can unplug from the online world. I've used my R700 a bit lately. It's silver, but I'd really love to get the lime green colour one.

[@justinrichards9625]

@@CBitsTech my unit is a blue one, plus I've recently unearthed a MZ-R90 that I forgot about and even this is still alive 👌

[@audioramplify]

I had some mini disc and the only ones worth owning are the Net MD. Only because you can convert CD quality into these models.

[@CBitsTech]

Yes, NetMD are certainly the most convenient. In Japan, though, they usually had a HiFi system MD recorder and a light-weight portable player for when they were mobile. So any MD portable would be good for them. I guess that the manufacturers initially thought the UK/European/USA would go the same way, but we seemed to prefer one portable to do do everything.

[@leonarddaneman810]

I have the 750, with the AM/FM remote which is very handy to have. Question: What is 'acoustic engine' on the 710, and 'Type R' on the 707?

[@73CHN0M4NC3R]

I love my MZ-N505. I use the netMD alot. Great video!

[@CBitsTech]

I have a 505 too, but it's not working. I bought it broken and fixed it in a video, but the fix didn't last long. The buttons don't work properly, I think it's a ribbon cable problem. If it was working, my 505 would have made it close to the top in this video. Do you use the netMD with SonicStage, or Web Minidisc?

[@ianz9916]

I really like my MZ-R30 and MZ-R35. They have far better amplification than most of the later models even though they are chunky and only play SP. At the other end of the spectrum I also like my MZ-RH910 which is HiMD and scores over it's big brother, the MZ-RH10, because it has an LCD screen as opposed to the OLED on the RH10. The OLED screens are beautifully clear but have a limited life span and are mostly not working now whereas the LCD, like the Duracell bunny, just goes on and on and on. The fact that I picked up the MZ-RH910 untested for £50 and found that it is immaculate, works perfectly and came with it's charger and remote probably influences my decision a bit too. Who doesn't like a bargain.

[@CBitsTech]

You got a good deal on that RH910, very lucky. It is a shame about the OLED on the RH10s, but even so, they're very expensive. I doubt I'll ever own one, but I do like how they look. I really like my R30, but it's too big for portable and I have a MD deck in my Pioneer system so I don't really have a use for the R30. The Line Out on it is handy though, I used that recently for a video that will go public in about four weeks.

[@kylehazachode]

I grew up with the Sony MZ-R500 and the NetMD MZ-S1. I hated the sporty MZ-S1, but it was the cheapest NetMD recorder at the time. I ended up hating Sonic Stage and just went back recording MDs with my Winamp plugin (it just put a 2 second pause in between tracks for auto track splitting). I got to break up my "Rule Them All" into recorder and player categories. My "Rule Them All" recorder is the MZ-NH900 and my "Rule Them All" player is my pink MZ-EH50. The pink player weighs nothing and it looks dope af, no screen but backlit remote. The recorder has a screen but it's not backlit, but it's remote is. But now I'm on a mission to find the perfect backlit MD recorder.

[@CBitsTech]

Yeah, SonicStage is pretty bad. I used Web Minidisc Pro a couple of times recently, much better. MZ-NH900 is very nice. I don't own one, and at over £200 on eBay I probably never will. The MZ-EH50 looks great too, but they're over £120 on eBay too. I guess I'm too cheap to get into Hi-MD :) You're lucky to own them. I don't know of a backlit recorder. Good luck in your search.

[@kscmag3142]

I concur with the N707. I bought it new way back when and it hasn’t changed or failed yet. Unlike my rh-10 with the worthless oled screen. I use the optical cable and that is really nice. Also lithium rechargeable battery. Spare battery, remote control, 2 discs, and the 707 fit into a waterproof indestructible 1020 pelican case. Good to go.

[@CBitsTech]

Yep, pretty much perfect.

[@4stringz.]

I still use MiniDisc quite regularly. Home decks and walkmans. Still the best way to record live broadcasts, and I have a nice collection of prerecorded discs. I only wish I would’ve collected some Naxos classical recordings. Too expensive to hunt down, so I may transfer some of my favorites.

[@CBitsTech]

Prerecorded are so expensive now, only for collectors imo. Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@philipdelagarza8039]

Aiwa made some as well back in the day when I was a bad ass lil kid. Those were pricy at the time, they almost rivaled Sony's prices which even then were expensive, got my first one at 15, it was that silver one with the red switch, (the second pair of dupes,) and still have it, seen better days, but it was awesome for the time I had it.

[@CBitsTech]

Is it a Panasonic or an Aiwa you've got? I'm looking to get an Aiwa at some point.

[@mikeb8638]

The 3 Sony MD walkman that you have with built in AA compartments were only made for the U.K and USA market , because when I have searched for those models in Jauce and Buyee only one showed up and it said it was an import so I'm guessing either Japanese person purchased outside of Japan or someone outside Japan sold it to a second hand electronic store in Japan

[@CBitsTech]

That's interesting. Typically, in Japan, people would own a minidisc deck or bookshelf system for burning their MDs, and would carry a player-only unit to listen to them. In Europe and the US people might have had just a portable recorder/player. I wonder if that's why they weren't produced in Japan.

[@mr.electronx9036]

Nice choice. My First MD was Sony MZ-R37 and i still love it, however...today i would go with any decent Hi-Md/Net recorder like Sony MZ-NH600

[@CBitsTech]

Thanks. I nearly put a bid in for an R37 tonight before I saw your comments. I love the look of that unit. HiMD stuff is so expensive. I'm not bothered by that though, I don't mind switching discs and (cheaper) players often, it's part of the fun.

[@ianz9916]

@@CBitsTech I saw that R37 and I nearly bid on it too as it was boxed but at £60 it was just a little overpriced and I do have one already. It is a lovely little machine which runs off of two AA batteries but, reading comments on the net, i think it is a bit of a Marmite model as some people, intelligent and discerning people, think it is awesome, and others hate it.

[@alanbeattie9094]

I enjoyed the MD comparison. Aiwa did an excellent Portable MD but it is just a player AM - HX50. I also have 3 Sony models MZ-R909, MZ-N910 and the MZ-G750. Could you advise if I was to sell these an indicative price please. They all work fine,

[@PaulJCost1]

I have a MZ-RH910 Hi-MD recorder. Its compatible with MD - MDLP - Hi-MD - Mp3. Its the best of all worlds.

[@CBitsTech]

That's a lovely unit. I love the display on those. Maybe one day I'll find a good one at a reasonable price.

[@scottnicol8930]

I have a Sony portable player the MZ-EP11 and a bookshelf system MD recorder with the Sharp MD-X5.

[@CBitsTech]

That's a good combination.

[@markrimington6221]

Just started with minidisc got the Sony mz r37

[@CBitsTech]

I haven't owned on of those, but I'd like to. I like the screen and controls on the edge.

[@Leonardnl]

The 710 in this video is the best. I have the same for years. Only now he don't read the discs anymore :-(

[@CBitsTech]

Hey Leo! Perhaps the laser wormgear and sled rail need a drop of librication.

[@Leonardnl]

Maybe. I need to check. Maybe the laser is dirty?

[@CBitsTech]

@@Leonardnl Could be, but I don't think I ever fixed a player by cleaning the laser. I did break one once though.

[@Leonardnl]

👍🏻

[@rupertwilson7020]

it might need calibration running to fix that.

[@mike-oz6iw]

Mz r50 is the best in my opinion hands down,

[@DrKJPalmer]

Great choices! I prefer my MZ-N707, the N710's diagonal screen has always been a slight put-off. Also prefer the N707's AA only power, the bump doesn't bother me personally. Would love to have the black and red (US?) model, but these are hard to get and expensive. Actually my regular player is the MZ-NH700, the Hi-MD equivalent of the G750. Ever considered Hi-MD? Best of both worlds, but admittedly a bit of a rabbit hole to go down...!

[@CBitsTech]

Hi! Yes, I've seen the red and black one and would love to have one. HiMD is just too expensive for my tastes, and there isn't the choice of design for the discs either. I'd rather have multiple discs instead of just one. I go through stages, if I have a lot of AAs to use up I use players that work with them. If not, the gumsticks.

[@RoryEwanTan-gv3jx]

I love my SHARP MD 722

[@CBitsTech]

I think I might have owned a broken one of those, or maybe seen it on KZbin. I think I'm addicted :) I've found that Sharp tend to have laser failures very often, but the 722 looks cool so I might look out for a cheap working one. Thanks.

[@mmuzzwell3654]

Has anyone got an idea how to replace/repair the LCD ribbon connector on a Sony MZ-R50. The end that goes to the main board is annoyingly fragile. Looks like carbon film. This is a common fault. Does anyone know if the LCD end of this ribbon is hardwired or if the whole ribbon can be replaced with lets say a copper based ribbon. Any help would be much appreciated.

[@CBitsTech]

I've never had to repair one, sorry, so I don't know about this model. I was wondering about the same thing the other day on an N505, but came to the conclusion that it's simpler to buy a replacement unit.

[@mmuzzwell3654]

@@CBitsTech Thanks for the reply. I have been advised to try a conductive ink pen. This would mean carefully masking off the spaces between the conductive lines. The lines are max 0.25 mm thick and I think these pens are min 1mm. It is worth a shot as by the looks of it the LCD side is hardwired. Thanks for the reply and the great content. 👍

[@CBitsTech]

@@mmuzzwell3654 Thanks for the compliment. A conductive ink pen is a good idea. I tried a plain old pencil on a vintage calculator but it's not a permanent fix. As for masking off, that's tricky on that scale. I was thinking a wax crayon then scraping off the wax from the metal parts, but that would lead to more damage. I've never used a conductive pen. Would the ink be suitable to transfer a small amount to a plastic toothpick, and then apply it with the toothpick? I'd love to see how you get on, but doing that while shooting video is very tricky. Let me know anyway please.

[@mmuzzwell3654]

@@CBitsTech I will definitely update, there must be a solution out there. I know in China and India there are shopping malls that tear down and rebuild phones, I bet some of those people could fix it in 5 minutes. I will update.

[@CBitsTech]

Thanks, I look forward to it. Yes, India/China could probably fix it, some of the things they do is amazing. Some of them scary too!

[@admiralandersen]

What if you had to choose a player?

[@CBitsTech]

For me, I'd choose the MZ-N710.

[@admiralandersen]

@@CBitsTech I have a MZ-E900. And its small size makes it ideal to have in your pocket while listening to music. :)

[@CBitsTech]

@@admiralandersen Me to. Ideal as a player.

[@robison5396]

I have a MZ R 73 Minidisc player/ recorder and those Amazon basic AAs wouldn't power it.

[@CBitsTech]

An R73? I can't find one of those online.

[@robison5396]

@@CBitsTech I'm dyslexic, it should be R37..lol!!

[@CBitsTech]

@@robison5396 I was confused, a R73 is a missile, which definitely can't be powered by two AA batteries 🙂 So, those Amazon AAs aren't powerful enough? I'm surprised, I've been using them for years and I've always been very happy with them. Maybe I'll do a comparison test if I can find a suitable device. Which AA batteries power your R37? By the way, I might have to get a R37, I like the look of them.

[@HeyPatch]

Dyslexics of the world untie … (I’m dyslexic too 😉)

[@mleolv426]

Aiwa hx150 for the win😉

[@CBitsTech]

That's an unusual one. Can you use it with 3rd party headphones? It looks like the play functions are on the headphones themselves.

[@mleolv426]

@@CBitsTech yes you can. It has buttons on the back of the unit. It was the lightest and thinnest player at the time of release.

[@CBitsTech]

@@mleolv426 Very cool. I might look out for one of those. I like the orange one. Do you need the dock too?

[@mleolv426]

@@CBitsTech no the dock is not necessary

[@CBitsTech]

@@mleolv426 Thanks. I'll look out for one.

[@just_passing_through]

My Sony MZ-N10 portable NetMD recorder is my absolute favourite.

[@CBitsTech]

I'd love an N10, but they're not very common and quite expensive. Is that the model that needs the cradle for some essential function?

[@ianz9916]

@@CBitsTech I've always avoided the N10 because, although it is a beautiful looking machine, it has a built in battery which costs an arm and a leg to replace.

[@Vince26010]

@@CBitsTech It has a cradle indeed but it's not necessary and you can access every functions without it.

[@Vince26010]

@@ianz9916 I just replaced mine a few weeks ago and it cost me about 10 Euros and took me about 1 minute to do so. I'm not expert at all but there're good tutorials on here.

[@geminigemini336]

From the ones you have, my favourite are the silver Japanese Panasonic recorder & both Panasonic players. The build quality of the Panasonics are the best & the 2 players are the slimmest, so they’re all you need when you want a portable player, unless you do portable recording, then I would still go for the thicker Panasonic recorder. I’ve got so many players, recorders, decks, systems & discs I’ve lost count! Literally thousands of discs!!! 💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽💽

[@CBitsTech]

The Panasonic are fantastic. You're lucky to have so many. I have 100 to 200 I suppose, but most have playlists I rarely listen to.

[@CBitsTech]

Nice MD emoji. I didn't know there was one like that 🙂