Sharp Players

Features:

• Sharp 8th generation ATRAC chip features Delta-Sigma modulation and reduced power consumption.
• Digital amp.
• Many DSP modes (65 on MD-DS70, 50 on MD-DS30).
• MDLP "Navigation lights" on body has various blinking modes/colors for SP/LP2/LP4 playback.
• "Favorite reproduction" (bookmark) feature.
• MDLP group mode support.
• MD-DS70 features Dolby NR headphone system and digital X-Bass
• 100-240VAC adapter.
• Charging stand.
• Ridiculously long battery life. Units will play for over 8-days straight on one set of batteries!

Variants: MD-DS70: Dolby NR headphone system, 65 DSP modes (vs. 50 on MD-DS30), digital X-bass, Kanji display remote, marginally (~1%) better battery life

Included Accessories: LCD remote, headphone, NiMH rechargeable cell, AC adapter, external AA cell case, charge stand, manual

Links:

• Sharp product page
• Sharp press release
• Minidisc T-Station MD-DS70
• Minidisc T-Station MD-DS30

Reviews:

• Alex Tan's review.

Specs: 3.8mW+3.8mW into 32 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz +/-3dB

Features:

• One-bit digital amp
• Bookmark playback function (mark up to 10 tracks for playback)
• Intro-playback mode (plays first 9 seconds of each track)
• MDLP "navi" uses LED to indicate MDLP playback mode
• Digital X-bass
• Backlit LCD remote
• Charging stand
• Available in silver, blue, pink and green (remote and charging stand color match unit)
• Differences from MD-DS8: no Dolby headphone function, longer battery life, and larger and heavier than DS8.

Links:

• Sharp press release for the unit.
• Sharp product page for the unit.
• AVWatch (Japan) page for the unit.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, headphones, NiMH cell, AC adapter, AA cell case, charging stand, carrying pouch, playback connecting cord, manual

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 32 ohms

Reviews:

Features: World's first "mobile one-bit digital amplifier" equipped Minidisc player. Dolby headphone system (has "Studio, Live, Dome" sound effects settings). Odd 4 conductor headphone plug & jack (see photo) to accomodate 1 bit digital amp. Backlit slim design LCD remote. "Intro play" mode plays first 9 seconds of each track. "MDLP Navis" LED clarifies MDLP mode and charge state with blinking codes and colors (easy-to-carry handy reference quide available). Charging stand. Available in silver, gray, red

Links:

• Sharp Product Page for the unit (Japanese).
• Sharp's Japanese announcement (mech. translation pages 1 2)
• Chinese site PocketFad coverage and photos.

Reviews:

• Leon's Sharp MD-DS8 photo review.
• Sas-Seb's MD-DS8 review en Français has several good photos of the unit.
• Christoper's MD-DS8 photo gallery

Included Accessories: LCD remote, Headphone, NiMH battery, AC adapter, attachable AA case, charge stand, carrying case, manual

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 32 ohms. Freq. Resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Features: MDLP and group mode support. Includes Dolby headphone system that mimics acoustics of speakers in various settings: "Studio", "Live", "Dome" (enjoyment factor unknown). Blinking LED indicates SP/LP2/LP4 playback mode. Recharging stand. Various playback modes include "intro play" (plays 5 seconds of each track), random, random-repeat, all-track/1-track repeat. Available in silver, blue and grey.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, Recharging stand, Headphones, Carrying case, NiMH rechargeable cell, AC adapter, attachable AA battery pack, Manual

Links:

• Sharp Japanese press-release (mech. trans [1, 2]).
• Minidisc T-Station coverage of the unit.

Specs: Headphone Amp: 5mW+5mW (32 ohms), Freq. Response: 20-20,000Hz (+/-3dB)

Reviews:

Features: MDLP capable, supports group mode. ``Two-Faced'' design, available in 4 colors: silver, blue, pink and cobalt. 3-LED display on unit, recharging cradle, "intro-playback" feature. 3-step X-bass boost

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese MD-ST700 MD player page
• Japanese press release.
• Press Release machine translation, page 1&2.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, AA battery case, headphone, recharging stand, NiMH rechargeable cell, rechargeable cell carrying case, AC adapter, carrying case, warranty card, instruction manual

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW, Dynamic Range: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

Features: World's smallest, longest running MD player at time of release. MDLP capable, 2 line LCD on remote.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese MD-ST770 MD player page
• Japanese press release.
• Press Release machine translation, pages 1&2.
• Minidisc T-Station coverage of the unit.
• Available from Warehouse123.
• Available from GoldenShop (HK).

Included Accessories: LCD remote, AA battery case, headphone, recharging stand, NiMH rechargeable cell, rechargeable cell carrying case, AC adapter, carrying case, warranty card, instruction manual

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW, Dynamic Range: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

Features: MDLP capable, Group mode support, 2 line LCD on remote. "LED Navigation" system uses various colors and blink codes to represent SP, LP2, LP4, and mono playback modes. Includes Dolby spatializing system with 3 settings: "Studio" (small room), "Live" (studio size room with additional echo) and "Dome" (large hall).

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese MD-ST880 MD player page
• Japanese press release.
• Press Release machine translation, pages 1&2.
• AVWatch Japanese coverage.
• Minidisc T-Station coverage of the unit.
• Available from Warehouse123.
• Available from GoldenShop (HK).
• Graphical depiction of dolby headphones synthesizer system.
• MDMan.net's (Korea) clear snapshots of the Sharp MD-ST880 portable player.

Included Accessories: LCD remote, AA battery case, headphone, recharging stand, NiMH rechargeable cell, rechargeable cell carrying case, AC adapter, carrying case, warranty card, instruction manual

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW, Dynamic Range: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

Features: MDLP compatible, with the long play mode indicated with colorful illuminated LEDs on unit body. Battery is recharged when unit is placed in charge stand. 160 second shock protection (in LP4 mode). "Song Intro" function plays five seconds of every track on the disc to help in finding a song. X-BASS low frequency boost. Available in blue, silver, pink, yellow, and cobalt. Hand strap attached to unit for easier and safter carrying.

Links: Sharp's official Japanese page for the MD-ST70. Another Japanese Sharp page outlines the specifications for hte MD-ST70. T's MiniDisc Comparison Tables list the MD-ST70's specs. The T-Station has a page for the MD-ST70.

Specs: 100V AC, 5V DC. (playback column lists Stereo/LP2/LP4 battery life times)

Reviews:

Features: Three different-colored LEDs indicate the current play mode the MD is in (SP, LP2, LP4). Battery recharges in charge stand, backlit LCD remote, 40-second anti-shock protection (provides 160-second protection in LP4 mode).

Links: Sharp's Japanese press release for the MD-ST77. The MiniDisc T-Station adds a page for the MD-ST77 to their site.

Specs:
(battery times shown show SP/LP2/LP4)

Reviews:

Features: Equipped with charge stand for easier recharging. X-Bass, remote can display Chinese characters,

Links: View Sharp's original Japanese press release (or read an English machine translation).

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output. DC 1.5V.

Reviews:

Features: Unit body composed of aluminum and plastic (colored pieces), optional Chinese character display remote control, 40-second anti-skip shock protection, can be placed in charging stand at any time for recharging, X-BASS boost, hand strap, available in plenty of colors.

Links: Sharp's Japanese page and press release for this unit.

Specs: Headphone output 5mW+5mW.

Reviews:

Features: World's smallest and thinnest player (as of 1 Feb 2000). Features charging stand, charging LED (flashes while charging, extinguishes when done).

Links: Sharp's Japanese page for this unit.

Reviews:

Features: Docking station for recharging unit's battery. MD-ST631 comes with Kanji capable remote and is first MD player with Kanji title display. Lithium-Ion battery, "MD Jacket size", 40 second shock protection, hand strap.

Included Accesories: LCD remote, headphones, LiIon cell, AC adapter, recharging stand, handstrap, dry cell case, carrying case, manual, warranty

Links: Sharp's Japanese page for these units. The MiniDisc T-Station has a review for Pioneer's PMD-MK1 portable MD player (a clone of the Sharp MD-ST531). The Korean MiniDisc page posts several Sharp MD-ST531 snapshots.

Specs: DC 3.6V Attached lithium ion, DC 3.3V Attached dry battery case, DC 4.5V Optional car power supply adaptor, DC 5.0V Attachment AC adaptor.

Reviews:

Features: Newly developed thin style slot-in loading mechanism. Die-cast body provides strength against compressive loads. Backlit LCD panel on remote and main body. 16Mbit DRAM for 40 second shock memory. Features 13 different equalization curves (POPS, CLUB, JAZZ, HEAVY, ROCK, DANCE, DOME, SYMPHO, VOCAL, SOFT, USER1, USER2, FLAT), 2 of which allow user setting of bass and treble adjustment in 7 steps each, plus 3 delay (surround/reverb?) settings. Large jog dial on body for for mode, tone, and track selection (DSP mode can also be selected from remote). Handstrap. Disc insertion slot cover flap shows "DISC IS INSIDE" if disc is already present, or "MINIDISC" otherwise. Two auto-start modes: 1) Start play upon disc insertion, 2) Restart play from head of current track when power applied (useful for in-car use). MD->MD edit function (copies audio [analog] and title information) when coupled to Sharp bookshelf systems with separately available AD-M5AC cable.

Links: Sharp's Japanese press release and product page for the unit. An English page on the MD-SS323. More Japanese page photos of the unit.

Specs:
Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW

Reviews:

Features: Slot-in MD players (units differ cosmetically) with 40 second shock memory. Body is aluminum and diecast one piece construction ("monocoque"), improving strength and impact resistance. Unit is 12% thinner and 18% less volume than previous MD-SS311 model. Backlit remote with "W" shuttle buttons. Units may be connected to Sharp MD decks for analog MD duplication that also transfers disc and track names. When connected to AC adapter, will charge and operate simultaneously. Play modes: random, repeat (1, all, random).

Links: Sharp's Japanese announcement and page for the unit (showing an animation of the remote and slot in loading).

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW

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: Slot in MD player with 40 second shock memory. Diecast aluminum case, 2.5 times stronger than the previous model. SS312 has special "W Shuttle" remote with small jog/shuttle dials and built in watch and alarm clock. Both unit's remotes are backlit. The W shuttle Remote will be released separately as the AD-S31RM in April (¥7,500), as will the Car Mounting Unit AD-S31CU (¥3,000). Playback times: AD-31BT LiIon: 10.5 hr, AAx1: 6.5 hr, both: 17 hr. Recharge time: 3.5 hr. MD-SS311 available in Blue, Silver and Yellow, MD-SS312 available in Blue and Grey.

Links: Sharp's Japanese page and news release that includes an animation of the slot-in loading and the 312's fancy remote. Nic Boyde's pages for the unit and his translation of the Sharp press release

Reviews:

Features: 40 second shock memory. Backlit LCD remote. Random play, all repeat, 1 repeat modes. Playback time: LiIon rechargeable: 8 hours, single AA alkaline cell: 6 hours, both together: 14 hours. Full recharge time: 3 hours.

Links: Sharp's Japanese press release for the unit. Nic Boyde's snapshots of the Sharp MD-ST601.

Specs: Amp: 5mW + 5mW into 32ohms. Freq resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB,

Reviews:

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:

Features: MD ``Jacket'' size slot-in players. Sharp ATRAC 5. New 1 chip LSI incorporating the [digitalized] RF section, signal processing encoder/decoder, digital servo, EFM processing and audio compression/decompression circuitry. The SS301, SS302 and SS401 have LCD equipped remotes but no LCD on the main body. The SS302 has an ``outdoor sports'' look. Coupled with Sharp bookshelf systems, provides ``MD->MD edit'', meaning text and audio can be copied. 6 hours playback on rectangular LiIon battery pack, or 4 hours on a single AA cell (using included case), or 10 hours on both together. 10 second shock memory. Random, all repeat, 1 repeat play modes. Includes backlit LCD remote, headphones, LiIon rechargeable, AC adapter, AA case (not included on US models, available separately for $20), carrying case. SS301 available in silver, yellow, and blue, SS302 and 401 in gray only.

Links: Sharp's pictures and Japanese information. Sharp's English page for their these portables. A user's review of the Sharp SS302. 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

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-SS301

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: 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:

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:

Features: LCD display on remote. 3 step bass boost. Repeat and random play. Playback time: 2 hours on included lithium ion rechargeable, 5 hours on 3 AA alkalai cells (using separately available AA case), 4 hours on separately available AD-S20BH (high capacity) lithium ion rechargeable cell. This unit almost identical to older MD-S20. (MD-S20: 140g, AA cell battery case included).

Reviews:

Features: Very similar to Sharp MD-MS5 Smallest and lighest MD recorder at time of introduction.

Reviews:

Features: Similar to D10, but with no LCD display or controls on main unit. Random play, X-bass, remote control. Nicad rechargeable. Playback time: 100 min (premastered MD), 90 min (recordable MD). Recharge time: 5 hours. Does not accept drycells. Headphone amp: 15mW+15mW RMS. Power consumption 8 Watts. Model suffix BK=Black Color

Reviews:

Features: LCD display and controls on main unit. Random play, X-bass, remote control. Nicad rechargeable. Playback time: 100 min (premastered MD), 90 min (recordable MD). Recharge time: 5 hours. Does not accept drycells.

Reviews: