Kenwood Players

Features:

• Digital (1-Bit) amp.
• DMC-S77: Main body's front panel "active illumination" indicates playback and charging states. User settable to "Mellow" (slow), "Vivid" (fast), etc. illumination modes (plus "off").
• "Digital Clear PWM" power circuit produces lower noise.
• Mind blowing 230 hr battery life (NiMH+AA).
• Charging base with control buttons (stop, play, FF, volume, mode) and stereo speakers (DMC-S77's base also includes sleep timer and alarm clock).
• 2-line LCD remote.
• Jet-search (quick selection of desired track)
• Play modes: A-B repeat (for study and language learning), Intro, Random, Repeat (1, all, random, group)
• 180(!) second shock memory.
• Alarm and sleep timer (both units).
• Beep on/off.

Variants: DMC-S77's has fancy front panel illumiation and its base includes a timer, the DMC-S55 does not. DMC-S33 also belongs to this family of portables (similar, but has simple charging base).

Included Accessories: LCD remote w/clip, In-ear phones, Charging stand, NiMH battery w/case, AC adapter, external AA cell case, carrying case

Links:

• Kenwood
• AV-Watch
• Minidisc T-Station DMC-S77 page
• Minidisc T-Station DMC-S55 page

Reviews:

• Christopher's review on Minidisc T-Station.

Specs: 4.3mW+4.3mW into 16 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz (+0/-6dB)

Features:

• Digital (1-Bit) amp.
• Charging base.
• 2-line LCD remote.
• Jet-search (quick selection of desired track)
• Play modes: A-B repeat (for study and language learning), Intro, Random, Repeat (1, all, random, group)
• 180(!) second shock memory.
• Alarm and sleep timer (both units).
• Beep on/off.

Included Accessories: LCD remote w/clip, In-ear phones, Charging stand, NiMH battery w/case, AC adapter, external AA cell case, carrying case

Links:

• Kenwood
• AV-Watch
• Minidisc T-Station DMC-S33 page

Specs: 4.3mW+4.3mW 20Hz-20kHz (+0/-6dB)

Reviews:

Features:

• Digital (1-Bit) amp
• Impressive 200 hour max (AA+NIMH) battery life.
• 5-pattern digital sound EQ, including user-preset.
• 2-line remote
• Folding charge stand.
• 20 minute quick charge 8hr LP4 playback.
• Alarm & sleep timer (1-120 minute settable).
• Group mode
• Jet-search (quick selection of desired track)
• Play modes: A-B repeat (for study and language learning), Intro, Random, Repeat (1, all, random, group)
• 180(!) second shock memory.

Included Accessories: LCD Remote w/clip, In-ear phones, recharge stand, AC adapter, NiMH cell, carrying case, external AA cell case

Links:

• Kenwood
• AV-Watch
• T-Station

Reviews:

Features: MDLP and group function support. Charging stand (without speakers). "D-Class" (digital) amplifier employed in DMC-"Q" series units (a full digitization of the audio circuit) reduces distortion and decreases power consumption. "D.P.A.C. (digital pulse axis control) function incorporated for high quality audio playback." Alarm timer (1-120 minutes), useful for avoiding missed train stops. Sleep timer (1-120 minutes), turns unit off automatically. Repeat, shuffle and intro play modes. "A-B" repeat allows reptition of audio sections up to 40 seconds long (handy for language learning, etc). Backlit LCD remote has 2 lines for displaying [track number and playback time] [disk name] [track name] [group name] [KENWOOD] [playback mode] in various combinations. Selectable (on/off) beep. Differences from DMC-Q55: no Digtal 3D effect, no Kanji support on remote, one type of headphone (earbuds).

Links:

• Kenwood Page for unit (mech. trans.)
• AVWatch coverage (mech. trans.)
• Minidisc T-Station coverage.

Included Accessories: LCD remote and clip, attachable AA cell holder, NiMH rechargeable battery (w/carrying case), headphones, charge stand, AC adapter, carrying pouch.

Specs: Headphone amp: 4.3mW+4.3mW (into 16 ohms), Charge stand amp: 35mW+35mW (into 6 ohms)

Reviews:

Features: MDLP and group function support. Charging stand (without speakers). Comes with two types of headphones: ear buds and "clip-on" phones. "D-Class" (digital) amplifier employed in DMC-"Q" series units (a full digitization of the audio circuit) reduces distortion and decreases power consumption. "D.P.A.C. (digital pulse axis control) function incorporated for high quality audio playback." Digital sound EQ and 3D effect with two user definable settings. Alarm timer (1-120 minutes), useful for avoiding missed train stops. Sleep timer (1-120 minutes), turns unit off automatically. Repeat, shuffle and intro play modes. "A-B" repeat allows reptition of audio sections up to 40 seconds long (handy for language learning, etc). Backlit LCD remote has 2 lines for displaying [track number and playback time] [disk name] [track name] [group name] [KENWOOD] [playback mode] in various combinations as well as Kanji titles. Selectable (on/off) beep. Differences from DMC-Q77: comes with two kinds of headphones, no speakers in charge stand.

Links:

• Kenwood Page for unit (mech. trans.)
• AVWatch coverage (mech. trans.)
• Minidisc T-Station coverage.

Included Accessories: LCD remote and clip, attachable AA cell holder, NiMH rechargeable battery (w/carrying case), headphones, charge stand, AC adapter, carrying pouch.

Specs: Headphone amp: 4.3mW+4.3mW (into 16 ohms), Charge stand amp: 35mW+35mW (into 6 ohms)

Reviews:

Features: MDLP and group function support. Folding charge stand with built-in stereo speaker (akin to the DMC-P55). "D-Class" (digital) amplifier employed in DMC-"Q" series units (a full digitization of the audio circuit) reduces distortion and decreases power consumption. "D.P.A.C. (digital pulse axis control) function incorporated for high quality audio playback." Digital sound EQ and 3D effect with two user definable settings. Alarm timer (1-120 minutes), useful for avoiding missed train stops. Sleep timer (1-120 minutes), turns unit off automatically. Repeat, shuffle and intro play modes. "A-B" repeat allows reptition of audio sections up to 40 seconds long (handy for language learning, etc). Backlit LCD remote has 2 lines for displaying [track number and playback time] [disk name] [track name] [group name] [KENWOOD] [playback mode] in various combinations as well as Kanji titles. Selectable (on/off) beep.

Links:

• Kenwood Page for unit (mech. trans.)
• AVWatch coverage (mech. trans.)
• Minidisc T-Station coverage.

Included Accessories: LCD remote and clip, attachable AA cell holder, NiMH rechargeable battery (w/carrying case), headphones, charge stand, AC adapter, carrying pouch.

Specs: Headphone amp: 4.3mW+4.3mW (into 16 ohms), Charge stand amp: 35mW+35mW (into 6 ohms)

Reviews:

Features: MDLP and Group function support. "Jet search" function allows 2X playback, 40 seconds anti-shock memory (160 seconds in MDLP 4X mode), seven-level bass and treble adjust, when docked in cradle unit's remote displays the remaining time needed for a full charge, remote capable of displaying track titles, "Intro play" mode can play the first 0.3, 1, or 2 seconds of each track (configurable).

Links: Kenwood's official Japanese page for the DMC-J33. Kenwood's original Japanese press release (trans) announcing the DMC-P33.

Included Accessories: Inner ear headphones, Backlit LCD remote, NiMH rechargeable cell, external AA cell case, rechargable battery carrying case, recharging stand

Reviews:

Features: MDLP and Group function support. "Jet search" function allows 2X playback, 40 seconds anti-shock memory (160 seconds in MDLP 4X mode), seven-level bass and treble adjust, when docked in cradle unit's remote displays the remaining time needed for a full charge, remote capable of displaying track titles, "Intro play" mode can play the first 0.3, 1, or 2 seconds of each track (configurable), charge stand includes built-in speakers and a timer function, allowing it to be used as an alarm clock.

Links: Kenwood's official Japanese page for the DMC-P55. Kenwood's original Japanese press release (trans) announcing the DMC-P55.

Reviews:

Features: MDLP, active power saving circuit activated when shocks to unit are not detected, 40 seconds anti-shock protection, defeatable audible headphones beep when pressing buttons, backlit remote, charge pond.

Links: Kenwood's Japanese press release for the DMC-M55. T's MD Comparison page lists the DMC-M55.

Reviews:

Features: Magnesium alloy body. "Battery Reminder Warning" reverses LCD information to indicate low battery level. 40 second shock memory.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, headphones, NiMH rechargeable cell, AC charger, battery, dry battery case, rechargeable battery case, carrying case

Links: A Japanese news announcement has information on the units. Kenwood press release.

Reviews:

Features: LCD on main body and remote. "Battery Reminder Warning" reverses LCD information to indicate low battery level. AA shaped rechargeable allows normal AA cell to be used when NiMH quits. 20 second shock memory.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, headphones, NiMH rechargeable cell, AC adapter, rechargeable battery carrying case

Links: A Japanese news announcement has information on the units. Kenwood press release.

Reviews:

Features: 10 second shock memory. Auto play mode starts play on disc insertion. Newly developed remote weights 8.2g, Uses AA cell sized rechargeable, or can accept Alkaline cell. LCD display also on main body. Button confirmation beep can be turned on/off. Dynamic bass boost (adjusts the boost level according to the signal level, giving strong bass without distortion, even when the volume setting is high). Hand strap can be attached, but is not included. Appears to be original to Kenwood (not a clone).

Links: Japanese announcement of Kenwood DMC-K3. Kenwood's Japanese announcement for the unit.

Reviews:

Features: Clamshell disc loading. Backlit remote, 40 second shock memory. Can be connected to Sharp MD compo system for MD copying (analog) including track titles. Digital X-Bass. Autoplay option (MD starts playing upon insertion). Controls on back panel. Unique LiIon gumpack rechargeable cell that recharges in main unit with AC adapter, even while in use. Available in silver, blue and pink. (Kenwood model has carrying strap, Sharp does too?).

Links:

• Japanese info on Sharp's MD-ST521 MD player.
• Japanese announcement and photo of Pioneeer's PMD-R55 and PMD-P5 portables.
• Japanese info and pictures on Pioneer's PMD-P5 and 'R55 portables.
• Onkyo's photo and Japanese information for their MD-P20 clone of the unit.
• Japan Direct has some clear shots of the unit.
• Japanese info on Kenwood's DMC-K5, a clone.

Specs: Freq. Resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB, Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 16ohms.

Reviews:

Features: All control buttons on main body are organized in a raised circular area for ease of operation while in a pocket or bag. Small LCD on body, plus backlit LCD remote. Playing time: 1 AA: 6 hours, NiMH cell (AA shaped): 5 hours, both together with external BC-C45 dry cell case: 14 hours. Recharge time: 4 hours. Available in red, silver and blue. Unit is unique to Kenwood (not a clone).

Links: Kenwood's Japanese announcement of the unit with pictures in all three colors.

Reviews:

Features: ATRAC 3.5 (CXD2536CR), sound quality reportedly among the best of the MD players. EL-Backlit LCD remote displays: up to 6 characters of title information, volume setting, remaining battery, repeat mode (1/all), as well as animated "running indicator" of spinning disc in 3D perspective. Remote uses shift key to reduce remote button count, for example: volume and display controls use the same keys. Normal stereo mini-jack for headphones (like the Sharp units). Battery life: 9.5 hours continuous playback on Lithium Ion rechargeable, 20 hours when combined with 3 alkaline cells (using separately available drycell case). 3 step digital bass boost. Unusual double jack for headphone/remote. Batteries charge in unit when connected to AC adapter. Uses Kenwood NB-L9, which is apparently OEM of Sony LIP-12 battery. Available in black or silver accent colors (case is silver). No English summary in operating manual. Unit is unique to Kenwood.

Precaution: Manual states: ``This unit is designed for domestic use only, and it is very dangerous to use the attached AC adapter abroad. Never use it outside of Japan.'' (However, if you have some other way to charge an LIP-12 (using an MZ-R2, MZ-R30, etc), then no problem).

Misfeatures: No shuffle play mode.

Links: Kenwood Japan's Page.

Availability: Nic Boyde and Sawada Denki sell this unit.

Reviews:

Features: Allows "MD->MD Edit" function (as does SS70) when coupled with Sharp's MD deck (XV300 or XL10) via a special cable (AD-M4AC). The cable connects like the LCD remote headphones of an MD player, carrying the analog audio signal as well as the data displayed on the LCD. Thus, audio analog copy and title copy are done at the same time. 3 postion digital bass boost. 4 step battery life indicator. Random play. Auto play function starts playback when disc is inserted. Car adapter (AD-S50CK - separately sold) resumes play at beginning of last song in play when car is started. Katakana/roman display. Unit charges simply by placing in recharger base (like a portable phone). Provides 5 hours playback on LiIon rechargeable (AD-ST60BT), 13 hours on [separately sold] external battery case (AD-ST60BC) carrying four alkaline AA cells, 20 hours on both together. Charge time: 2.5 hours. Batteries can be charged while in use w/AC adapter. Available in silver, blue and green. Included accessories: Headphones w/LCD remote (AD-ST60RM), AC adapter, carrying case, rechargeable LiIon battery, manual, recharger base. World power (100-240V) AC adapter (AD-SS70AP) sold separately.

Links: Sharp's English summary page.

Reviews:

Features: All digital processing done on one chip to reduce power by 35% over previous model. Large LCD display on remote. Katakana/roman display. 3 step digital bass boost. Repeat and random play. Playback time: 4 hours on included lithium ion rechargeable (AD-S50BT), 10 hours on 3 alkalines (with optional AD-S50BC drycell case). 4 step "battery life" indicator. Comes in three colors. Has a big window on the lid so you can see the color of the MD case (and maybe the MD spinning if it's in a clear case?).

Links: Sharp Press Release Sharp Japan page for this unit. A user's review of the S50 unit. Excerpts from a What HiFi article mention the Sharp MD-S50.

Reviews: