Sharp Recorders

Features:

• One-bit digital amp w/4-pole headphone plug.
• Backlit-LCD remote.
• Recording-start button on remote (!)
• Recording level control can be set automatically (for analog sources) or manually (for analog and digital sources).
• Syncro-start recording from analog and digital sources.
• Playback speed control.
• "Favorite-track playback" remembers up to 10 favorite tracks on up to 9 disks.
• Group mode support.
• High/Low microphone input sensitivity selector.
• Charge-stand.
• Character-stamp
• Timer alarm (avoid missing your train stop).
• Available in silver, blue and black.

Markets: Japan

Links:

• Sharp press release
• AV Watch (Japanese)
• Minidisc T-Station page
• Available from Outward Sound.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, Headphones, NiMH cell (with case), AC adapter, external AA case, charging stand, carrying pouch

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW (@32k ohm), Line: 125mV (@10k ohm, -12dB), Freq resp. 20-20kHz +/- 3dB

Reviews:

Features: Prototype shown at IFA Berlin 2003.

• High(er) speed NetMD downloading: SP: 4X, LP2: 25X, LP4: 50X
• Small docking station with LCD, power, line in/out, optical in and USB connections (no LCD on MD unit).
• Auto (microphone recording) and manual analog recording level control. Digital recording level control.
• Group mode support.
• Timer alarm (avoid missing your train stop).
• CD synchro recording.
• Character-stamp (copy track titles from original to copied MD).
• One-bit digital amp with 4 pole headphone connector.
• Backlit Kanji-capable LCD remote.
• Available in silver, black, and red.

Variants: Unit is dubbed IM-DR80 in Japan and IM-DR580 in Europe. Kenwood sells the unit as the DMC-S9NET.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese press release
• Kenwood DMC-S9NET page.
• AVWatch Japan.
• Minidisc T-Station page.

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW @ 32ohms, line: 125mV @ 10k ohms

Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, headphones, NiMH battery and case, multi-voltage (100V-240V) AC adapter, "Multi-link station" (docking stand), external AA cell case, carrying pouch, USB cable, manuals, BeatJam software CD and manuals

Optional Accessories: HP-MD33 headphones (9mm diameter, in-the-ear type, 3 silicon gum earpiece sizes (S, M, L), ¥3800), HP-MD90 headphones (16mm diameter, adjustable angle, aluminum, over-the-ear type, ¥3300)

Reviews:

User Manuals: IM-DR80, IM-DR580

Features:

• A first for Sharp: Automatic (with settable low/high range) and manual recording level control (IM-DR420 only)
• NetMD downloading at 50x realtime
• 1-bit digital amp
• Group mode support
• Play modes: all, shuffle, all-repeat, shuffle-repeat
• Digital X-Bass
• Auto time-mark (3, 5, and 10 minute intervals)
• Line synchro-start recording (microphone synchro-start recording [i.e. voice activated recording] on IM-DR420)

Variants:

• IM-DR400 is non-remote base model.
• IM-DR410 is apparently identical to IM-DR400 but comes with carrying pouch and optical cable.
• IM-DR420 differs from DR400 and DR410, adding microphone input (with auto and manual recording level function) and non-LCD remote.

Included Accessories: Both units: 4-pole earphones, 4-pole to 3 pole conversion cable, AC adapter, carrying pouch, optical cable, analog cable (1/8" stereo to RCA x 2), CD-ROM, USB cable. IM-DR420 only: non-LCD remote, NiMH battery (AA formfactor), NiMH case

Links:

• Sharp UK manuals
• my-minidisc.com IM-DR410 page
• my-minidisc.com IM-DR420 page

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW, 0.2% THD. Disc RPM: 400-1800 playback, 400-2700 recording

Reviews:

User Manuals: IM-DR400, IM-DR400 Quickstart, IM-DR410, IM-DR410 Quickstart, IM-DR420, IM-DR420 Quickstart, Software Preinstall, BeatJam

Features:

• MDLP support
• 3-step X-Bass.
• In common with all modern Sharp portable recorders:
  • Synchro recording for digital and analog (LINE/MIC) sources.
  • Character Stamp (Sharp feature since MD-MS200 that provides quick title text transfer from original to newly recorded disc)
  • Recording level control may be adjusted while recording is underway.
  • No automatic recording level setting.

Variants: MD-MT270 has no remote or microphone input, MD-MT290 has a non-LCD remote and microphone input.

Links:

• Sharp (UK)
• AVLand (UK)
• my-minidisc.com MT-MD270 and MT-MD290 pages.

Included Accessories: Earphones, AC adapter, RCA cable. Europe: optical cable

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mW+10mW RMS @ 32 ohms (0.2%THD), Line out: 250mV (-12dB), Freq. Resp: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

Features:

• Trace-back recording (formerly only available on MD decks) stores 5, 10 or 30 (user selectable) seconds of audio in memory while in REC-PAUSE state; when the user presses REC, recording actually begins 5, 10 or 30 seconds prior to the button press.
• Record breaking battery life: 120 hour playback, 64 hour recording.
• World's first MD recorder with 1-bit digital amplifier (uses 4 conductor headphone plug and jack).
• MDLP support (but not NetMD).
• "Favorite Playback" allows selection of up to 10 favorite tracks that are played when in Favorite Playback mode. These tracks are remembered for up to 9 different MDs in the recorder's memory.
• Playback Speed control in 5 steps: -30%, -20%, 10%, +5%, +15%
• First Sharp recorder with Treble control. Bass boost functions as it did on previous units, but treble adjustment is now available (in 5 steps: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2) after bass setting is selected.
• Equipped with a charging stand.
• Alarm timer from 1 to 99 minutes (to avoid missing train stops).
• New group mode function starts a new group when group button is pressed during mic recording.
• Backlit LCD remote.
• Microphone sensitvity setting (HIGH/LOW) incorporated into recording level control.
• Available in Silver, blue and pink.
• In common with all modern Sharp portable recorders:
  • Synchro recording for digital and analog (LINE/MIC) sources.
  • Character Stamp (Sharp feature since MD-MS200 that provides quick title text transfer from original to newly recorded disc)
  • Recording level control may be adjusted while recording is underway.
  • No automatic recording level setting.

Variants: Unit is badged "MD-DR480" in Singapore (Asia?). Euro variant is sold without charging cradle as the MD-DR470. Discussion of variants

Links:

• AVWatch Japan announcement (mech. trans)
• Sharp press release (mech trans page 1 and 2).
• Minidisc T-Station page.
• Minidisco page for the unit.
• Sharp MD-DR480 photo gallery (Minidisc Australia)
• Mike Sloan's photos of the Blue MD-DR7.
• my-minidisc.com page for the unit.

Reviews:

• Tina and Okinawa Joe's review.

Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, Headphone, NiMH battery, AC adaptor (auto-sensing 110-240AC in Asia), externally attachable AA drycell case, Charge stand, Manual. In Europe: optical cable (TOSlink to 3.5mm), analog cable (RCA to 3.5mm), carrying case. MD-DR480 (Asia): additonal ear buds (as well as headphones), AD-USB1 analog PC-Link (USB->analog) adapter, optical cable (TOSlink to 3.5mm), analog cable (RCA to 3.5mm) 4-Pole ->3-Pole conversion cable.

Specs:

• Output: Headphone: 8mW+8mW (32 ohms, RMS), Line 250mV (10Kohms)
• Input sensitivity: MIC H: 0.25mV (10kohms), MIC L: 2.5mV (10kohms), LINE: 100mV (20kohms).

User Manual: MD-DR7

Features: MDLP modes, 3-mode digital X-bass system, Digital rec-level control. Flat case (no battery bulge), MD-MT170/180 has no remote or microphone input

Variants: MD-MT170 and MD-MT180 appear identical in function. MD-MT190 and MD-MT200 come with non-LCD remote. MD-MT200 has Dolby surround DSP mode

Accessories: Headphones, AC adapter, PC Link kit (USB->analog for MT180, USB->optical for MT190&MT200)

Optional Accessories: Attachable AA cell battery case: AD-M18BC, Car adapter: AD-CA20X

Links:

• Sharp US press release mentioning unit.
• Sharp US page for unit.
• Sharp UK page for unit.
• French site MD-21 coverage of MD-MT180/190/200 units.
• Unit is available from Superfi UK

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mW+10mW RMS @32Ohms (0.2%THD), Line output 250mV @10KOhms Disc RPM: 400-1350, Freq. Resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB, Line input sensitivity: 100mV (20KOhms)

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT180, MD-MT190

Features: MDLP Group mode, connectable to a computer via USB cable. Supports the OpenMG digital music copyright standard. (High-speed copying to unit in SP mode not allowed). Unit comes with OpenMG Jukebox Ver.2.2, which allows conversion of MP3, WMA, and WAV file formats to ATRAC3. Seven LEDs indicate the status of the transfer of audio files. Two-line LCD remote display. Track scan mode plays the first five seconds of each music track. Sound-activated microphone recording mode. 40 seconds shock protection (160 seconds in MDLP 4X). Unit is charged when placed in included stand.

Variants: This unit is likely to be badged the MD-MT899 in Europe.

User Tips: After installing the software that came with the unit, and discovering that some of the buttons were in Japanese, I stumbled on a solution. I first uninstalled the Sharp version of OpenMG and all the associated drivers. I then downloaded the Sony version of OpenMG from the OpenMG website and installed it. It's important that you only install the OpenMG software, and not the Sony drivers. I then reran the install from the Sharp CD. The Sharp install attempted to install OpenMG, but discovered that one was already on the system, and left it alone. It went ahead installed the rest of the software, including the MT880 driver. I now have a fully English version of OpenMG that works with my Sharp MD. (BTW-the Japanese button on the player says 'shuffle'). -Mick Gardina

Links:

• Sharp's official Japanese page for the IM-MT880.
• AV-Land has info on the IM-MT880.
• Japan-Direct has photos of the unit and offers it for sale.
• Unit was initially spotted at IFA 2001 (Berlin)

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's down-to-the-last-detail review of Sharp's IM-MT880 NetMD recorder.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output.

User Manual: IM-MT880

Features: World's smallest portable as of Aug. 2001. MDLP capable, 2-line LCD, full editing and titling from remote. Unique group mode functions: "group move" moves track to new group, "group top move" makes entire group the first group on the disc, "group erase" removes all tracks within a group, "group booking" creates a group and places newly recorded tracks there, "group arrange" moves tracks not in any group to the end of the disc so that even machines that don't support group function will play the tracks in the same order.(?) Three color blinking LED signalling system indicates recording type (SP/LP2/LP4), state of charge, and operating mode. Optional AD-PCR3 connecting kit features USB to digital optical link as well as control of editing and titling from PC. High speed (2X) playback of monaural (SP) recordings, digital/line/mic-synchro start, auto time-mark (3/5/10 minute interval), character stamp, one-touch eject, digital and analog recording level control (no AGC).

Variants: Unit badged the MD-MT888 in Europe

Included Accessories: LCD remote control, AA dry cell case, headphone, charge stand, NiMH rechargeable cell (with case), carrying case, AC adaptor, connecting cord, Manual.

Notes: Display on main unit does not show disc or track names, only the track number, hence titling can only be done from remote.

Reviews:

• Eric Meyer's MD-MT770 review on Minidisc T-Station.
• François Demont's Sharp MD-MT888 review (en Français) has good closeup photos of the unit.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese announcement (machine translation).
• Sharp's official Japanese page for the unit.
• Sharp English brochure page for the MD-MT888.
• Minidisc T-Station MD-MT770 page.
• Japan-Direct's closeup, side-by-side, photos of the Sharp MD-MT770 and Sony MZ-R909 recorders.
• MDMan.net's (Korea) gallery of side-by-side MZ-R909 & MD-MT770 snapshots, shows how similar Sharp and Sony's latest now look.
• MicMic's English info (the blue and pink models are visible at the bottom of the page).
• Unit is available from Superfi UK.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 32 ohms, line: 250mV into 10K ohms.

User Manual: MD-MT888

Features: MDLP recorder. The MD-MT88 and MD-MT99 appear to be the same basic unit except for slight differences in front panel button shapes. The MT-88 does not come with remote control or rechargeable battery.

Links: Sharp UK's MT-88 and MT-99 pages.

Accesories: Rechargeable battery: AD-N70BT, Car adaptor: AD-CA20X, Cassette adaptor: AD-CT14, MD to MD edit cable: AD-M5AC, Tie-Pin microphone: MC-TP2

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT88, MD-MT99

Features: Unit is not MDLP compatible. 3-level bass boost. 40 second anti-shock protection, character stamp feature, clamshell design, synchronized recording for digital, analog, and microphone. MD-MT90 comes with non-LCD remote, MD-MT80 comes sans remote.

Links: Sharp UK's official English page for the MD-MT90. Sharp UK has an MD-MT80H page MD21 posts French information on the MD-MT90. An official Sharp press release talks about the upcoming release of the MD-MT877 (an MT77 variant) and the MD-MT90.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT90, MD-MT80

Features: MDLP capable. Smallest portable MD recorder in the world as of October 2000. Battery "memory effect" is reduced by automatic discharging circuitry in the charge stand. Can interface with a computer via USB connection kit (AD-PCR2), allowing track and title management and automatic label printing of a MiniDisc's contents, as well as an audio connection. "Scan" feature plays the first five seconds of each track. Two-line 12-character LCD display, digital recording level control, X-BASS boost, 40-second shock protection (provides 160 second protection in LP4 mode), hand strap. Microphone-synchronized recording function only records when sound is heard. Mono mode recordings can be played back at 2x speed. Track ``auto-mark'' function can be set to mark a track at regular intervals (3,5,10 minutes?). "Name Stamp" function allows easy copying of character information from one disc to another.

Variants: US (and Euro?) model badged the MD-MT877.

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's wonderfully detailed review.
• Read IGN's review of the Sharp MD-MT77.
• TechTV's review of the Sharp MD-MT877.
• HiFi Choice review of the Sharp MD-MT877.
• CNet comparison of the Sharp MD-MT877, Sony MZ-R900 and MZ-R700.

Links:

• Sharp's official Japanese press release for the MD-MT77.
• Sharp's official Japanese homepage for the MD-MT77.
• Japan Direct offers the Sharp MD-MT77 portable for US$399.
• T's MD Comparison Page has the MD-MT77 listed.
• A Chinese electronics news page has info on the MD-MT77.
• An official Sharp press release talks about the upcoming release of the MD-MT877 (US version of MT77) and the MD-MT90.
• Kenwood's Japanese press release for the DMC-M7R.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output, 20 bit D/A converter, 1.2V NiMH, 1.5V AA, 5V adapter. Disc spins at about 400-1,350 rpm.
(battery times shown show SP/LP2/LP4)

User Manuals: MD-MT77, Update

Service Manual: MD-MT77

Features: Utilizes a charge stand for recharging Nickel Hyrdogen battery. 40 second anti-shock protection, adjustable digital input signal level, "microphone synchronized recording" (where the unit only records to MD when it detects audible sound with the microphone), synchro-recording function, shuffle and repeat modes, double-speed mono playback, voice-activated recorder for conferencing.

Variants: Sharp's Korean page for the MD-MT866 (the MT866 is the Korean model number of the MT66 model, unit reportedly has ability to title with Korean characters).

Reviews:

• A fan's detailed comparison review between the Sharp MD-MT66 and Sony MZ-R900.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese page for this unit.
• Sharp's Japanese press release for this unit (and an English machine translation).
• Some German info on the Sharp MD-MT866.
• AVLand has MD-MT866 photos and specs on this unit.
• Minimaniax has further MD-MT866 photos and info on this unit.
• FelsWeb offers the Sharp MD-MT66 for USD$338.
• T's tables has photos from recent MD brochures for the Sharp MD-MT66.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output, 5.0 VAC. 32kHz, 48kHz sampling rate converter.

User Manual: MD-MT866

Features: Recorder operates on either a single alkaline or rechargeable AA cell. No LCD on remote. Available in silver or blue.

Variants: MD-SR50: no remote MD-SR60: non-LCD remote (same unit as SR70?) MD-SR70: non-LCD remote MD-SR75: backlit LCD remote

Reviews:

• Read IGN's review of the Sharp MD-SR60.

User comments: The SR60 appears to exhibit behavior similar to the Sharp MD-MS702 when recording from the mic input, in that a short silence will be recorded when the recording level is adjusted between position 20 and 21 on the 30-point level scale. This pause occurs when both increasing and decreasing the recording level past this point. -J. Kwon

Links: Sharp's Japanese page (also available in English) and press release for this unit. Sharp's specs for the SR50/70/75 (they're all basically the same unit with variations in their accessories). Superfi (UK) has pictures of Sharp's MD-SR50 and MD-SR60 (the former sans remote), both apparently identical to the MD-MT50. Sharp MD-MT50 variants in New Zealand: the MD-SR50W (no remote), and the MD-SR70W (slight case variation, w/remote and headphones, of a sort). A Sharp Japanese page lists the MD-SR50, MD-SR70, and MD-SR75, as well as a statistics page showing that all three units are identical (though the SR75 reportedly comes with a backlit remote) and are simply meant for different world markets.

Entering Service Mode: (Beware of the dangers of attempting this!) You can enter test mode on an MD-SR60 (an MT50 variant) by holding the following keys simultaneously: 'disp', 'bass', and 'enter' and then 'play'. -Shiv Naimpally, January 2001

Specs: 10mW headphone output.

User Manuals: MD-SR50, MD-SR60, MD-SR75

Service Manuals: MD-SR50, MD-SR70

Features: Sharp claims 7 records for the unit:

1. Smallest and thinnest recorder (as of 7/99), 13% smaller and 14% thinner than previous MD-MT821 model.
2. Longest playing recorder (employs 7th generation ATRAC chip using .25 micron process that, along with high speed disc drive circuit and mechanism, was designed for low power consumption).
3. First portable recorder with recharging stand (no audio or control connections via cradle, however unit can record and playback while recharging in stand).
4. First portable recorder with Kanji display on remote (832's remote shows Kanji, 831's does not, though Kanji remote is available as an option). Remote is backlit and can display 5 Kanji or Hiragana, or 10 Katakana or Roman letters.
5. First portable recorder with optional PC (AD-PCR1) and Zaurus (AD-ZAR1) link. Via this link, titling (including Kanji input) and editing can be conducted, as well as program play selection, label printing, and MD library management. For label printing, 8 patterns are available, as well as the ability to include digital camera images. Name application can be downloaded from Sharp's home page
6. First portable recorder with digital recording level control.
7. First portable recorder with auto fade in and fade out during recording start and finish. Will automatically fade out level as recording encounters end of disc (3 step fade time selector)

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese annoucement and official page for the unit.
• A user's advice on using the Sharp Japanese AC adaptor.
• Japan-Direct posts several clear snapshots of the Sharp MD-MT831.
• Ed Wong has made a comparison photo gallery of the Sharp MD-MT831 and Kenwood DMC-L7R (its clone).
• Kenwood's Japanese page for its DMC-L7R unit (a Sharp MD-MT831 clone).
• Sharp's Japanese MD-MT831 PC Link page, with downloads and screen shots of the software available for PC and Zaurus platforms.
• The Korean MD page shows details and snapshots of Sharp's PC-Link kit for the MD-MT831.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The Korean MD page has several snapshots of the Kenwood DMC-L7R (Sharp MD-MT831 clone).

Reviews:

• Robert has made a close and careful Sharp MD-MT831 review.
• Brian Youn's exquisitely detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831.
• Robert Nguyen also contributes a detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831 portables.
• Ian McFarlane adds a review of Sharp's MD-MT831 PC-Link kit (using Japanese software minus the fonts!).
• HiFi Choice magazine (UK) has a review.

Entering Service mode: Do be careful! It's pretty similar to most of the other Sharp portables but the battery compartment must be OPEN - i.e. the unit must have NO POWER. 1) Press and hold PLAY, SYNC[Enter] and DISP buttons. 2) THEN drop in the battery and close the compartment (or apply external power - eg turn on the DC power source). Display shows the EEPROM version code, followed by all symbols lighting up, followed by the standard Sharp test menu. My EEPROM version code is 921AcX. -Dave Hooper Gadget Squad reviews the Sharp MD-MT831, with favorable findings.

Specs: Motor speed: 400-1350 rpm, headphone amp: 10mW + 10mW * Headphone volume at 0 during recording and 15 during playback.

User Manual: MD-MT831 courtesy Robert Schwartz

Features: Sharp sixth generation ATRAC, 10 second shock memory, clamshell disc loading. Unit is apparently a cost reduced version of the MD-MT821. The MT15 takes Alkaline AA cells and has no remote, the MT20 takes AA rechargeables. Both come in Silver, MT20 version available in blue and gold as well. Sharp USA's MD-MT15 announcement stated this was the world's first MD portable recorder available for under $200.

Getting a Remote: The Sharp MD-MT15 does not include nor has the optional accessory listed for a remote (according to Sharp). It does, however, have support for a remote control (which I can confirm as I have the MT20 remote for the MT15). The remote can be ordered as a replacement part (#RRMCW0001AWSA) for the MD-MT20 and is fully compatible with the MD-MT15. There is no display, just operation of play, pause, fast forward, Bass, etc and can also be used in assisting input of titles. -Brian Teh

Links:

• Anton van Kinderen's spotting and accumulated info for the unit.
• Moshe Braner kindly submits a Sharp MD-MT15 review.
• Bas Oort offers some tidbits about the Sharp MD-MT15 service mode. o
• Pete DeBonte has a battery page that gives an MD-MT15 battery trick, allowing NiMH rechargeables to be charged with the unit's built in charger.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Spencer Pablo has some snapshots from Comdex that show the MD-MT15.
• Calum Tsang contributes a tidy Sharp MD-MT15 review.
• The MD-MT15 is awarded the Etown Editor's pick position for best value.
• Michael Connor creates a Sharp MD-MT15 TOC cloning page, outlining how to get 78-80 minutes on a 74 minute MD.
• Trucki updates his MD-MT15 Titleaid QBasic software to 3.1 -- you can download it from his German MD page.

Tips: Using the built-in charger for off-the-shelf NiMH batteries: Just take a business card and wrap the batteries with it. You may need to trim the card a little. Insert all three into the battery compartment-the end of the card should be folded into the crease between the two batteries to hit the MT15's rechargeable-battery sensor. -Calum Tsang Trucki has created MD-MT15 Titleaid QBasic software, available from his German site. Trucki's site also shows off some deep hacking of the Sharp MD-MT15 (local English trans) and hacking that uses drill bits and extra connectors (trans).

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT15, MD-MT16, MD-MT20

Service Manual: MD-MT20 remote schematic

Features: Through component size reductions, unit has 28% less volume and is 20% thinner than the MS721. Uses same LSI chip set as the MS721/722 (Sharp ATRAC 6). "Top open" (i.e. clamshell, not slot-in) disc insertion. 40 second shock memory. 20bit DAC and ADC. High speed scroll and 3 character display during character selection speeds titling. Triple shuttle backlit LCD remote. Mic and digital synchro start recording. Disk/track "name stamp" function allows titles to be cloned from another disc. 2x high speed playback option on mono recordings. Unit can be operated while recharging. Available in silver, blue and black.

Included accessories: LCD remote, headphone, LiIon cell, AC adapter, connection cord, AA cell case, handstrap, carrying case, instruction manual, warranty card.

Separately available accessories: 100-240VAC adaptor (AD-SS70AP) ¥5000, LiIon cell (AD-T51BT) ¥5500 (from 3/21/99), LCD remote (AD-S31RM) ¥7500, Car power (12/24VDC) adapter (AD-CA20X) ¥5000, Digital sound card (AD-AJ2) ¥25,000.

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese page and press release for the unit.
• Sharp's English MD-MT821 page.
• Photos and Japanese info for Kenwood's DMC-K9R, their Sharp MD-ST821 clone.
• Robert Nguyen's detailed review and clear photos of the Sharp MD-MT821, plus his extensive comparison of the Sharp MD-MT821, Sony MZ-R55, and Aiwa AM-F70.
• Japan-Direct has made a nice Sony MZ-R55 vs. Sharp MD-ST821 comparison that includes a side by side shot showing their relative thicknesses.
• MiniDisc World has a review for this unit.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• Leon Out provides detailed coverage of the unit, including the results of a search for new remote commands.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The MD-MT821 is awarded the Etown Editor's pick position for best high performance MD unit.

Tips: Matthew Swift ([email protected]) reports that the Sony AC adapter model AC-E45HG (around $20) will work with the unit, even though it is rated at 4.5V and only 700mA.

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mw+10mw into 16ohms, Line: 250mV (@-12dB) into 10Kohms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT821 courtesy Nick Paul, quick guide

Features:

• 40 second shock memory, Sharp ATRAC 6.
• .25 um process LSI includes digitized RF section, signal encoder/decoder, digital servo EFM processing and ATRAC compression and decompression on a single chip.
• 20bit ADC and DAC.
• Backlit remote (MS721 remote features 3 small jog rings for controlling track selection, X-bass and volume. MS722 remote includes watch/alarm clock functions and features 2 small jog rings for controlling track selection and volume).
• MS722 features large jog dial on front face of unit for titling and control.
• MS721 features diecast aluminum construction

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording.

Tips: The skip-track fwd/bkwd buttons on the remote are used to increase or decrease the recording level (values 0-30). It mirrors the functionality of the base unit. -Arne Bier

Links:

• Japanese info and pictures on Pioneer's PMD-P5 and 'R55 portables.
• Japanese information for Kenwood's DMC-K7R.
• Hannes Rohde has done a little experiment with the mic synchro start feature.
• Rob has a thorough review of the Kenwood DMC-K7R.
• Japan-Direct has photos of the Kenwood DMC-K7R.
• Jake Eu gives a sobering review of the Sharp MD-MS722, saying there are few real differences over the MS702.
• Joseph Reagle's Sharp MD-MS722 review.
• Japan Direct has a few snapshots of the unit.
• Robert Nguyen's thorough comparison of the Sony MZ-R55 and Kenwood DMC-K7R portables.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• MiniDisc-Canada offers the hard-to-find Sharp external drycell case for the MD-MS70x and MD-S301 portables.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Radio College has a careful Sharp MD-MS722 review from a pro-use standpoint.

Specs: Input levels: Mic H: 0.25mV, 10Kohms, Mic L: 2.5mV, 10KOhms, Line: 100mV, 20Kohms. Headphone: 10mW+10mW, 16Ohms. Line: 300mV (@ -12dB), 10Kohms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MS721, quick guide, short

Service Manual: MD-MS721

Features: First recorder with an ``MD Jacket'' (i.e. square front face) design. Sharp ATRAC 5. 10 second shock memory. New 1 chip LSI incorporating the [digitalized] RF section, signal processing encoder/decoder, digital servo, EFM processing and audio compression/decompression circuitry. MS702 is ``sporty look'' model. Sampling rate converter. Digital/Line/Mic synchro start, goes into pause after 3 seconds silence. Mono recording. 2X quick playback mode. Time automarking at 3, 5 and 10 minute intervals. ``Moji Stamp'' function allows text transfer from original to newly recorded disc. Manual recording level control only (no AGC), microphone sensitivity selection is built-in, as part of the recording level control setting (0-20: HIGH, 21-30: LOW). Katakana/ Alphanumeric/ Symbol titling. Random, all repeat, 1 repeat play modes.

Included Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, headphones, LiIon rechargeable, AC adapter, AA case, carrying case.

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording. Be aware that when recording from the mic input and you adjust the recording level, a small 'glitch' (a few millisecs silence) will be recorded where the level drops from MIC 'H' to MIC 'L' (position 20 on the 0 - 30 level scale). -Graham Baker

TOC Undo: TOC Undo with the Kenwood DMC-J7R is very simple: Remove the battery/unplug the power supply without turning the unit off. When powered up again, it forgets that there are unwritten TOC changes. -Stefan Werner

Problems: There have been reports on MD-L of Sharp MD-MS701/702 units malfunctioning, displaying intermittent "UTOC Error" messages with damaged/irrecoverable recordings as a result. A user ([email protected]) advises:

1. It is important not to do an auto calibration in service mode without a "tdys1" (sony) testing MD or equivalent (Teac). This will definetly cause more problems!
2. Unit should be returned immediately when the first UTOC errors appear, it is a bad sign! It makes no sense to wait until the warranty has expired.

Accessories: Sharp seems to have sold the MD-MS702 outside of Japan without the external AA cell case. It's available though from Planet Minidisc and Minidisco.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese information.
• Sharp's English page for these portables.
• Sharp Canada's page for the unit.
• Nic Boyde's snapshots of the MS701, MS702, Pioneer PMD-R3 and and the Kenwood DMC-J7R.
• A user's review of the Sharp MD-MS701.
• Matthew Brock compares the Sony MZ-R50 and Sharp MD-MS701.
• An MD user has made a page for the Sharp MD-MS702.
• John Beale has measured the SNR of the MD-MS702 and found it to be 81dB.
• Hannes Rohde has done a little experiment with the mic synchro start feature.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Peter Wood has made a nice Sharp MD-MS7xx page.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• Ian Horsey illustrates the Sharp MD-MS701 disassembly procedure.
• A user comments that he repaired his MD-MS701 by using Horsey's procedure.
• MiniDisc-Canada offers the hard-to-find Sharp external drycell case for the MD-MS70x and MD-S301 portables.

Specs: 20-20kHz +/-3dB, wow & flutter <.001% peak. Output: Line: 300mV (-12dB) (50Kohms). Headphones: 10mW+10mW (32ohms). Input: Mic H: 0.25mV 10kOhms. Mic L: 2.5mV 10kOhms. Line: 100mV 20kOhms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MS701, HTML

Service Manual: MD-MS701

Features: Sharp ATRAC 4. Slot in design. Digital and Mic Synchro start recording (has Hi/Lo selector for mic synchro start threshold), Double speed playback, Time Auto Mark function (track mark at 3, 5 or 10 min. interval), Auto time stamping, Sample rate converter, Stereo/mono recording. Autoplay on disc insertion. With car adapter, resumes from start of song when car is started. Manually adjustable gain level can be changed during recording. Up to 100 characters per track and disc title may be entered, totaling up to 1700 characters per disc. Defeatable beep (hold bass boost button). "Moji Stamp" feature copies title and song names of one MD onto another, as follows: after dubbing MD->MD (analog, or digitally if permitted), original disc is placed in the MS200 to read and store the name data, duplicated disc is subsequently inserted and the stored names written to it from the MS200's memory. Industry's longest continuous recording time, on rechargeable (AD-MS10BT) (as of intro date). Ext power: AC adapter:5.0v, Dry cell case: 6.0v, Car adapter: 4.5v. The MS200 comes with one lithium ion battery and a LCD-less remote control (AD-MS20RM). Dry Cell case (AD-MS10BC) and LCD remote control sold separately (both AD-ST60RM and AD-SS70RM can be used). Pioneer and Kenwood models come with LCD remote that includes a ``play mode'' button setting Random, Repeat and Repeat 1.

Little known modes: P-save mode, stores less music in the shock-proof memory. To toggle it on/off, hold the ``Display'' button for 2 seconds when the unit is stopped. A-play mode, automatically goes into play mode when a disc is inserted. Hold the ``Mode/Ins'' button for 2 seconds when the unit is stopped.

Note: No AGC (automatic gain control) recording. The battery life is 9.5h (PB) when "auto Power Save" mode is ON. In this mode, the memory saves only 5 sec of data. If you turn OFF this "auto Power Save" mode, the memory saves 10 sec of data (which is the ordinary amount for other portables), and the battery life gets 20% shorter (==7.6h), according to the manual.

Mis-features: No "remaining track time" display.

Problems: Japanese domestic units have trouble charging on North American 120VAC house current.

Parts: Unit's DAC chip reported to be made by AKM semiconductor.

Links: Sharp's comprehensive summary page. A scan of all its surfaces. Conrad Sanderson's Sharp MS200 pages (and a subpage). The German Stereo magazine and a user compare the MZ-R30 and the Sharp MD-MS200. Emanuel Borsboom has a table comparing the Sony MZ-R30 and Sharp MD-MS200. Steven Smith has done a little bench testing of the unit. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-MS200

Service Manual: MD-MS200

Features: Sharp ATRAC 3. "slot-in" (non-clamshell) disc insert/eject [easier to manage when you're on the go], stereo/mono recording, track move/ divide/ combine/ erase, random play, sound-synchro recording [starts recording when audio appears on the input, automatically truncates between track silence exceeding 4 seconds], auto marker, remote on headphone cord (volume, track select/position, stop/ pause/ play, bass boost), katakana/roman alphabet input/display. Line out uses the headphone connector. Unit available in black or silver. Comes with: headphones, remote control, lithium ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter, analog line cord, carrying case. Playback time 4.5 hours, recording 3.5. Recording time about 12 hours with separately available battery case (AD-MS10BC)

Comparison: with Sony MZ-R3 (showing features unique to each): Sharp MD-MS100 Defeatable beep sound. Ability to change recording level whilst recording. Standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Loud!! Uses 5V adapter. Combined headphone/line-out jack (though output impedance is adjusted to match the load). Calibrated level meter in dB. Suppl. acessories: headphones, rechargeable Lithium battery, power adapter, analog cable, carrying bag, remote control. Sony MZ-R3 Date/time stamps on recordings. Automatic gain control. Uses 4.5V adapter. Separate outputs for headphone and line-out. Suppl. acessories: headphones, power adapter, analog cable, carrying bag, remote control.

Problems: Japanese domestic units have trouble charging on North American 120VAC house current.

Links: Sharp press release. Sharp Japan Spec sheet (in English). Sharp Japan page for this unit, including a cute animation of the "Slot-in" design.

Reviews:

Features: Sharp ATRAC 2. Track/disc titling. Track delete move, join, divide. Sampling rate converter, st/mono recording. 1 bit AD and DA. Defeatable beep (hold bass boost button). Nearly identical in features to the Sharp MD-M20 (the MD-M20 kit included the AD-M20BC 6AA cell case as standard). Accessories: AD-M20BC 6AA cell case, AD-M20CK car mount kit (¥13,000, includes base mounting unit, car power cord, cassette adapter, 2 velcro strips. Mounts on center console). Battery: AD-M20BT Lithium Ion rechargeable (¥5000).

Links: User's review and comparison with MZ-R3.

Specs: Headphone jack supplies 10mW+10mW into 16ohm load, or 275mV line level (@-12dB) into 50kohm load.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-M25

Features: Very similar to Sharp MD-M25. Smallest and lighest MD recorder at time of introduction.

Reviews:

Features: First Sharp recorder. Sharp ATRAC 1. Full editing and titling functions. 10 second shock memory. Rechargeable 3.6V Li-Ion cell, recharge time 1.5 hours. Battery life: continuous playback: 2.5 hr, continuous record (monitor volume at zero): 2 hours. No AGC (manual recording level only). Backup battery pack (4 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 3/4 inches) holds 6 AA batteries, pack snaps onto the back of the unit. 50-level recording meter.

Quick-Charge Trick: Purchase a Recoton DC adaptor with voltage selector ranging from 3V to 12V from Sears, and set it to 7.5 volts. The unit will now charge in 20-30 minutes with no damage done. I've been doing this for months and battery life has not suffered at all. -misfit809

Links: A user has several photos of the Kenwood DMC-A7R clone.

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW + 8mW, 0.2% THD. Freq resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB. 1 bit A/D and D/A. 4.5 DC input.

Reviews: