MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder

Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder

Publisher : Sony Company : Sony

Features

• 40-second shock-resistant memory
• Lightweight magnesium die cast body
• Headphone remote with backlit LCD
• Rechargeable battery and charger supplied
• One AA battery case supplied for extended playback

Product Description

This world's smallest recording MD Walkman combines the superb sound reproduction quality of digital technology and the ease and convenience of MiniDisc recording and playback in a unit virtually as small as a MiniDisc itself. New Smart Remote Control provides editing function including Titling and Move to customize your MiniDiscs and to listen tracks the way you prefer. Backlit LCD on Headphone Remote makes it easy to see the display even in low light, and offers convenient direct access to the unit's major functions. Its Shock Resistant Memory resists bumps or vibrations while the laser scans ahead on the disc and stores 40 seconds of music in memory, for interrupted skip-free playback. NIMH rechargeable battery and charger are supplied to provide greater convenience and saving over replaceable batteries. Character Input for Titling let you create or modify individual track information as the MiniDisc is being recorded. Date and Time Stamp automatically places a date and time marker on each recording for future references. Digital Synchro Recording lets you make digital copies of CDs onto a MiniDisc with synchronized operation that begins recording when digital input signal is received. Sampling Rate Converter allows MiniDisc recording from other digital media having different sampling frequencies, such as DSS and DAT, and automatically converts to MiniDisc Rate. Powerful Digital Mega Bass Sound System with 3 Position switch provides rich, deep bass tones with digital signal processing for virtually inaudible harmonic distortion. Automatic Volume Limiter System (AVLS) maintains volume output below strong signal levels, for listener comfort. High Quality Recording with Digital AGC ensures proper recording levels through Automatic Gain Control to prevent overloading distortion.

Amazon.com Product Description

This is the world's smallest portable MiniDisc player, featuring a powerful digital Mega Bass sound system with three-position switch, the Automatic Volume Limiter System (AVLS), and multiple playback modes (normal, repeat track/repeat all, and shuffle).

Customer reviews

WORKS LIKE A CHARM. DON'T LET OTHER REVIEWERS FOOL YOU. by .. Anthony Morelli (Montreal, Canada)
My first review of a minidisc player was done in 2001. It was for the MZ-R70 blue model.

I have bought this MZ-R55 2nd hand, which is in fact, over 3 years old. The unit (recorder and all supplies) work like a charm. It works better than the MZ-R70, for it's faster when skipping tracks, and it runs the TOC EDIT faster than my other model, which is an MZ-R50 silver model. Yes, I have 3 minidisc players. May I say, even though many people have rated the MZ-R55 down, I love it. All you have to do is have a little patience, and take care of the Unit.

I like the backlit remote, which is excellently handy when you don't want to flip the player/recorder in and out of your pocket every two minutes to raise the volume or change song.

The unit's shell takes a lot more abuse than that of the MZ-R70. The paint doesn't come off as easy, and even though the unit may be a bit heavier, at least I'm more aware of the fact that there's something fragile in my pocket. I think that 4 hours of battery life is halfway decent if not acceptable. What I mean, is that 4 hours is fine by me. I don't go out much, and that leaves less ware&Tear on the unit.

Let me tell you...the bass in the collapsible headphones is outstanding. These headphones sport the best digital bass that I have ever heard. May I also add, you don't have to turn the volume up too high, to drown out the exterior sound around you. I find myself not having to put the volume up past 50%.

The AA battery compartment is handy to have when your NH-14WM (Nickel-Metal Hydride Battert) loses its charge. Just today I went out with the compartment attached, and voila, it's there when I need it.

My MZ-R55 is the silver model. Even though I bought this unit second hand, it seems to have withstood a lot of time, and everything I expected it to be, it has lived up to its SONY name.

The carrying pouch is genuninely handy to have, if you're going out in the harsher of climates. That way, it won't get wet or humid. Another thing, the headphones, being as short as they are, are practical for someone who always puts their mini-disc player in their shirt pocket, with or without the remote. The only thing wrong with that, is that you can't really turn your head too far from in front of the unit, or you will be pulling on the wire.

For the 3 Volt power supply adaptor, I am happy about it, because it's the same voltage as for my MZ-R70. They both share adaptors, and one is always near the stereo for playing through big bass speakers. One is always there for the personal listening pleasure at my desk.
The whole shebang comes in a neat little rectangular box, which is great for storing, and great for placing my other mini-disc players and their accessories when not in use.

I would recommend you go on an internet site for SONY mini-disc players, to print out their service manuals for each individual model. I have a manual printed out for each of my 3 units. Kind of comes in handy when you know a little about electronics.

I am happy with this product, and would recommend this to anyone, even those fussy people who nag about every little problem they encounter.

Hope this review has helped you.

replaces tape recorders by .. STEEVO! (Minneapolis MN)
Normal MD's are basically a novelty whose charm wears off the second you try to actually record one. If you want to record a MD at CD quality, you need a CD player with an optical output, which is not common, an optical cable (sold separately) and you must be willing to sit for the entire duration of the CD without so much as bumping the recorder. On the R-55, the unit is quite heavy, especially if the AA battery pack is attached, which is constantly because the rechargeable is weaker than my grandma on morphine.

Despite all this, the MD has some good qualities. They're virtualy indestructable, and you get surprisingly good sound quality. The edit and delete functions are fantastic, making compilations simple to create and edit. Straight CD rips are easy as well, if you've got the time. However the coolest feature I found was the microphone. You can just plug an ordinary pair of headphones into the microphone jack, press record and listen to your drunken antics or anything else anytime you want, even separate the night into different tracks.

If you're looking to replace that old walkman this is for you, but stick with a discman or MP3 player otherwise.

it serves it's purpose by .. Gil Barba (San Antonio, TX)
I've had my mini-disc for about a year and a half. I like it because I can hook it up to my home stereo,and also play it in my car (with cassett adapter) and its got great sound. The part about the batteries is so true.., that is one drawback. I've recorded over 80 disc, and just about all of them have excellent quality. I've never listened to another MD so I don't know if there is a difference in quality of sound. Also you do have to crank up the volume to get good sound if your using it as a walkman. It wont blow you away...but it's alright as a walkman.

Overall A Quality Product by .. ()
This player/recorder plays and records very well, is small and lightweight and compact, and looks damn cool. I only have 2 beefs with it: the battery life is terrible, only about 3 1/2 hours using only the rechargable and about 8 with the unsightly battery attacement, which also adds a lot of weight, and it does not have a very loud sound output. I am constantly listening to it with the volume all the way up and am still having trouble hearing only the music.
Other than the battery life, I would definately recommend this product. I bought a PC link for mine and that records just fine, as does the stereo recording method. I also think the remote is quite spiffy if you're keeping the player in your pocket or backpack etc.

great by .. (australia)
i take several months to decide what minidisc i should buy, i bought de mz-r55 and im very happy with my decition, it has been a year and a half since it belongs to me and i have nothing to complain about it. i had recorded several blanks, like 50, with any problems. i love the remote control. i love it size. i take it anywhere. the only thing that you must be aware is to have batteries. if you're prepared for that, then you can listen to your music with an excellent sound quality anytime. i love to go to my friends flats and record a disc if i like it, or only some songs. you can do anything!!!!!!!