Pioneer Players

Pioneer PMD-P5

PictureNameDescPriceConnectorsDimensions
sharp_mdst521_back_thumb_110.jpg
sharp_mdst521_thumb_110.jpg
kenwood_dmck5_thumb_110.jpg
Kenwood DMC-K5
Sharp MD-ST521
Pioneer PMD-P5
Kenwood DMC-K5
Onkyo MD-P20
Portable player
Intro: 8/1998
MSRP ¥35,000
Availability:
OUT: Headphones74.7 x 16.3 x 82.8mm thick, 132g, w/batt

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:

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

Reviews:

Battery LifePlayRecharge
LiIon11 hr3 hr
AA x 19 hr
Both20 hr

Pioneer PMD-P3/RMX1

PictureNameDescPriceConnectorsDimensions
sharp_mdst501_thumb_110.jpg
onkyo_md-p10_thumb_110.jpg
Onkyo MD-P10
Sharp MD-ST501
Onkyo MD-P10
Pioneer PMD-P3/RMX1
Portable MD player
Intro: 12/1997
MSRP ¥38,000
Availability:
headphones, DC i n82.8 x 17.9 x 75.8 mm 136 g (w/bat)

Features: Clamshell (not slot-in) disc loading. MD ''jacket size'' and thickness of 2 MD jackets. 40 second shock memory. Back lit remote. 8 hours playback on single LiIon battery. 6 hours on single AA cell, 14 hours on both together. Available in white, blue and yellow. Clear plastic ("skeleton") remote. Headphone amp: 5mW + 5mW (32ohms). Power: 3.6v (LiIon rechargeable), 1.5v (1 AA cell), 4.5v (car adapter), 5.0v (AC adapter). Includes: remote, LiIon rechargeable, AA case, headphones (button?) AC adapter, carrying case.

Links: Sharp's Japanese page and news release for the unit. Nic Boyde's page for the ST501 and Onkyo MD-P10 [Sharp MD-ST501 clone]. Nick Riley's photos and comments on the Sharp MD-ST501 portable player. Sharp's Audiofair Report with pictures and blurbs on the MD-ST501 portable player. Pioneer's Japanese announcement and photos of their PMD-P3 MD player (a Sharp ST501 clone). The PMD-RMX1 variant comes with fancy ``DJ'' headphones. Tugrul Tanyol has conducted a comparison of the Sony MZ-E35 and Sharp ST501 portable MD players.

Notes: Pioneer PDM-RMX1 includes ``Original Dynamic Headphones'' for DJ use.

Reviews:

Pioneer PMD-P1

PictureNameDescPriceConnectorsDimensions
sharp_mdss70_thumb_110.jpg
Sharp MD-SS70
Pioneer PMD-P1
portable player
Intro: 9/1996
msrp: ¥38,000 street: ¥~26,500
Availability:
out: hdphn.80.5x20.7x116.2mm (3.2x0.8x4.6"), 150g w/bat.

Features: Slot in design. Allows "MD->MD Edit" function (see ST60 above). 3 postion digital bass boost. 4 step battery life indicator. Katakana/roman display. Random play. Auto play function starts playback when disc is inserted. In car (AD-SS70CU [car mount base], AD-CT13 [cassette adapter], AD-CA20X [cigarette lighter power adapter] - all separately sold), resumes play at beginning of last song in play when car is started. Provides 10 hours playback on LiIon rechargeable (AD-MS10BT), 27 hours when coupled with (separately sold) external battery case (AD-SS70BC) carrying six (!) alkaline AA cells. Charge time: 3 hours. Available in silver, blue and grey.

Links: Sharp's English summary page for the SS70. Alan Jaffray's review of the SS70.

Reviews:

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