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View Full Version : Found a Sony MiniDisc deck at a Salvation Army. Guess how much!

Dan C
10-26-2003, 10:01 AM
Ten bucks!:eek: :D Hiding in the piles of electronic junk was a perfectly fine looking Sony MDS-JE510, so I brought it home.

As you MD users already know, the coolness factor of this format is off the scales! I've used it to put together a couple of compilations (depressing bummer love lost themes, that's my mood) using sources from cassettes, LPs, CDs and even 78s. The editing features are what makes this thing awesome. Sequencing is a snap, as are covering or erasing mistakes. The sound is very nice even though this is an older deck.
I bought an optical cable and simply make a CD-R from my finished MD. What a snap!

The other day I used it to record an NPR program while I was away. In mono mode I appreciate the 160 minutes of recording time.

It's an odd duck though. I don't own a portable MD player and don't plan on buying one. It's mostly a fun toy. Shame the format didn't explode in the US like it should have (other than the pro radio market).

Dan C
Sckott
10-26-2003, 10:29 AM
It's nice when you have portables around the house. Great playback quality. Yes, it's very useful for radio broadcasts...
Grant
10-26-2003, 11:12 AM
All I ever find are 30-year-old 8-track tape decks that probably don't work.
Dan C
10-26-2003, 11:45 AM
Originally posted by Grant
All I ever find are 30-year-old 8-track tape decks that probably don't work.

That's usually what I find as well, the vast majority of the time. This was just some sort of wacky fluke. Obviously no one there knew what it was. Or that it's such a niche format maybe that was all it's worth anyway?
Dan C
Phil Elliott
10-26-2003, 01:33 PM
That's the minidisc machine I've got, and it certainly didn't cost me 10 bucks ;) Well done!
Joe Koz
10-26-2003, 02:58 PM
Nice score there Dan. I also use and love mini disc, for the portability you can't beat it.
JonUrban
10-26-2003, 02:59 PM
Ever find an ElCaset Deck?

Sony EL-7 or EL-5, or TEAC EL-700, or Technics RS-7500US ( a real bad azz looking unit!)
Sckott
10-26-2003, 03:03 PM
I'm glad it went to someone who could use it and like it for what it is, rather than go to some yahoo or some nutcase who wants to put screwdrivers in it.

As long as the deck goes to a loving home, it's good karma.
Damián
10-26-2003, 03:05 PM
http://www.harmony-central.com/Newp/WNAMM98/Sony/MDS-JE510.jpg

seXXXy :D :thumbsup:
BradOlson
10-26-2003, 06:30 PM
Download the Service manual at http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony_mdsje510_service.pdf
or the User Manual at http://www.minidisc.org/sony_mds-je500_u-manual_en.pdf
BradOlson
10-26-2003, 06:34 PM
minidisc.org has rated this model of MD deck highly and ATRAC 4.0 is one of the best sounding ATRAC versions as well.
Dan C
10-26-2003, 07:19 PM
Thanks much for those links Bradly. :thumbsup:
That's interesting that it's a relatively recent deck. I had assumed that it was one of the earliest ones, but it is a very nice sounding bit of gear!
Dan C
Dan C
10-26-2003, 07:24 PM
Originally posted by oblio98
Ever find an ElCaset Deck?

Sony EL-7 or EL-5, or TEAC EL-700, or Technics RS-7500US ( a real bad azz looking unit!)

Never seen one in a thrift store. I've only laid eyes on one at a pawn shop several years ago. A Technics IIRC.

I have seen an awful lot of cassette decks at the thrift stores recently. Occasionally some very nice ones. People just don't seem to want them anymore.
Dan C
BradOlson
10-26-2003, 07:27 PM
www.t-station.net and www.minidisco.com are other great sites on MD.
cliff barua
10-27-2003, 07:53 AM
Originally posted by Dan C
Ten bucks!:eek: :D Hiding in the piles of electronic junk was a perfectly fine looking Sony MDS-JE510, so I brought it home.

Dan C

Dan,
Congrats on your purchase ... great price!! I've been into MD for about 5 years. One thing to look out for on the 510 model, though. It was known for having a bug that would cause the unit to switch on by itself (something about an overly sensitive detector just inside the disc door). I would often come into my music area and find the deck on (with "no disc" displayed). After SONY unsuccesfully tried to fix it, they gave me a full credit which I used to get an ES deck. The ES unit is built like a tank and the sound is impeccable. As you said, the editing capabilities are unmatched by CD-R recording technology (IMHO). And perhaps my "less than audiophile ears" :rolleyes: don't notice ATRAC compression as much as some Forum members.

Cliff
fjhuerta
10-27-2003, 07:56 AM
Originally posted by cliff barua


..And perhaps my "less than audiophile ears" :rolleyes: don't notice ATRAC compression as much as some Forum members.

Cliff

Since ATRAC 4.5, I have never been able to distinguish a CD from an MD (I went from ATRAC 1 to 4.5, BTW). ATRAC Type-R just made things harder for me. :)
BradOlson
10-27-2003, 08:07 AM
My MXD-D40 uses ATRAC Type-R. If you are new to MD, go for anything with ATRAC 4.0 or higher generally speaking but check out the MD sites mentioned for player recommendations.
4_everyman
10-28-2003, 08:34 AM
Congratulations, Dan! That's a heckuva bargain.

I have an older MD deck that i use to assemble tracks for mix CDs. Extremely handy format.

I'm looking for an MD desk that has a timer switch (Rec-Off-Play) and supports MDLP (4x density) recording. The only thing i've found so far is the Tascam MD-350. Are there any Sony decks still available domestically with those features?
BradOlson
10-28-2003, 10:11 AM
Check out www.minidisco.com or, we at NorthernLightFX can order any Sony product available in the North American/US market, consumer and pro and that includes MD decks.

For info on consumer decks currently made by Sony go to www.sonystyle.com and for Pro decks go to http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/Category?m=10016&p=10
CardinalFang
10-28-2003, 11:05 AM
I'll give you $20 for it... ;)
Phil Elliott
10-28-2003, 02:07 PM
Originally posted by cbsolson
Download the Service manual at http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony_mdsje510_service.pdf
or the User Manual at http://www.minidisc.org/sony_mds-je500_u-manual_en.pdf

Don't dive into this manual too quickly folks! Check this bit out.... if I read it correctly, the last paragraph contradicts what leads up to it:
BradOlson
10-28-2003, 02:13 PM
You've read it correctly, Phil.
Richard Feirstein
10-30-2003, 03:36 PM
Not to brag, mind you. But before the World Trade Center was built it was the center for the surplus electronics industry in NYC. As a HS kid my friend and I purchased a WWII surplus sonar set for $12.00. It must have cost the Navy a bit more. We used it for a science project and it worked like new. Talk about tube heaven.

Richard.