Sharp Bookshelf

Features:

• One bit digital amp (5.6MHz sampling, double Sharp's previous machine's rate).
• 4X CD->MD dubbing.
• 10 key cell-phone like title entry.
• Unit may be operated horizontally or vertically.
• Digital recording level control (-4dB~+8dB in 2dB steps).
• World band FM tuing.
• Timer functions: daily-timer, once-timer, sleep-timer.

Links:

• Sharp Press Release
• AVWatch Japan
• Minidisc T-Station

Specs: Amp: 20W+20W, Delta-sigma ADC

Reviews:

Features:

• MDLP support
• 2x CD->MD dubbing
• CD-synchro function
• Extended edit function (?)
• Play modes: program/repeat shuffle
• Timer: clock/timer/sleep
• Remote control
• 5-mode pre-programmed equalizer

Links:

• Available from my-minidisc.com

  specs: Amp: 32W+32W

  Reviews:

  User Manual: MD-E9000

Features: CD/MD/Tuner. 40-station FM preset memory, 2X CD-to-MD dubbing speed, surround sound emulation mode.

Links: Sharp's official English page for the MD-MX20 and page for the MD-MX30 (also see technical specs).

Specs: 10W x 2 for the MD-MX30, 6W x 2 for the MD-MX20. Units have different variations for different areas of the world: MD-MX20 for North America/Mexico, MD-MX20H for Europe, MD-MX20W for Asia/Oceania/Middle East/Africa.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MX20, quick guide, MD-MX30, quick guide

Features: MD/CD/AM/FM, MDLP, 2X CD->MD dubbing, 4-mode multicolor display, 1-bit amplifier samples signals at 2.8 million times per second (64 times that of CD sampling).

Links:

• An English Sharp announcement is discovered by Tugrul that outlines the specs on three of Sharp's latest high-end MD mini systems, all with built-in 1-bit amplifiers and MDLP compatibility.
• Minidisco page for the unit.

Specs: 10W (5W+5W) output, 8 cm woofer, 4 cm tweeter, world-band FM radio (76-108MHz), 100VAC.

Reviews:

User Manual: SD-FX1

Features: CD/MD/Tuner. MDLP, 2X CD-to-MD dubbing speed (SP mode only), amplifier and transformer sections are housed separately, 4-mode multicolor display, 1-bit amplifier samples signals at 2.8 million times per second (64 times that of CD sampling), timer/clock, X-BASS boost.

Links:

• An English Sharp press release covers the release of this unit.
• Sharp USA page for the unit.

Specs: 50W (25W+25W) output, 3cm tweeters and 10cm woofers, 6 ohms, world-band FM radio (76-108MHz), 100VAC.

Reviews:

User Manual: SD-NX10

Features: CD/MD/Tuner. MDLP compatible, 2.8 MHz (64fs) ultra high speed sampling, large fluorescent display with 4-mode, 7-color illumination, energy-saving mode, motorized CD slot mechanism, 2X CD-to-MD dubbing speed (SP mode only), 20-station radio presets, X-BASS boost, clock/timer/sleep functions. Available in green and blue.

Variants: SD-CX1H unit released 5/2001 in UK includes RDS (Radio Data System) with EON function.

Links:

• Sharp announcement outlines the specs on three of Sharp's latest high-end MD mini systems, all with built-in 1-bit amplifiers and MDLP compatibility.
• Sharp UK's official English page for the SD-CX1H.

Specs: 40W (20W+20W) output, 12 cm woofer, 2 cm tweeter, 6 ohms, world-band FM radio (76-108MHz), 100VAC.

Reviews:

User Manual: SD-CX1

Features: 3CD/2MD/Cassette/AM/FM (world band) Bookshelf system. One MD drive is play only, the other rec/play. MDs audio can be copied (analog link) from one disc to another, track names are copied siimultaneously. "All disc play" mode will play all 5 discs (2 MDs and 3 CDs). Synchro start recording (digital and analog). Timer recording and sleep/wakeup playback.

Links: Sharp's Japanese announcement and page for the unit.

Specs: Amp: 50+50w (EIAJ).

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-X7

Features: Jog Control for MD/CD Track Access and Titling. Sound synchro recording. Sampling rate converter. World band FM tuner (with RDS EON). SRS 3-D surround sound. Remote. Amp: 12.5W+12.5W (EIAJ) MD to MD [analog] dubbing from Sharp portables (SS70 or ST60, etc.), allows audio and titles to be copied at the same time (requires special MD-to-MD cable, for SS70/ST70: AD-M4AC, for SS301/302: AD-M5AC). Standard PC keyboard plug-in connection, for easy Mindisc titling using a PS/2-type computer keyboard (see page 28 of the manual). Can record music available on the Internet using an optional PCMCIA digital sound card available from Sharp (Part# AD-AJ2).

Notes: Contrary to Sharp's Japanese Product announcement, the unit (or US version at least) does not provide microphone input or "Mic Mixing" that lets users combine microphone audio input with a CD and record it onto an MD.

Links: Sharp's English page for the unit. Sharp Japan press release in English. Michael Goolsby's MD Page has a review of the Sharp MD-X5 bookshelf system.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-X5

Features: Unit comes equipped with PCMCIA interface allowing audio (in .wav file or midi format) to be downloaded from a PC running the Japanese version of Windows 95. PC application displays ``MD control panel'' providing titling and control functions (editing, recording, playback of MDs). 3CD changer with independent trays allows 2 discs to be changed while one is on play. MD to MD [analog] dubbing from SS70 or ST60, etc., allows audio and titles to be copied at the same time. Standard PC keyboard plug-in connection, for easy Mindisc titling using a PS/2-type computer keyboard. Mic mixer lets users combine mic audio input with CD and record to MD. FM Wide-band tuner (76.0 to 108.0 MHz). Sampling rate converter. Stereo/Mono recording. Large 21 X 5 character LCD with function that switches the display to a large font (in this mode it shows the current song playing, rather than the current song and the two next up). ``Joy Commander'' remote control unit. SRS 3D Surround sound. MD-X8 (non PC) version available that does not include PCMCIA card.

PCMCIA Card: The PCMCIA card functions as a wave table synthesis card. The sound data is output as 16 bit samples at 44.1khz via a special (PS2 type) connector which plugs into the MDX8H/MDX5H MD units. If the input is a MIDI file the wave table synthesis converts it to 16 bit 44.1khz sampled audio data. If the data is in a recognised audio format ie. 16 bit 44.1khz then it is passed straight through. The data is in the same format is as if you were making a digital copy (optical or RF) from another CD or MD player. The card also provides a 2 way serial data communication for editing the UTOC data and controlling the basic function of the MD unit. The card provides a one-way interface only for audio data, from PC to MD.

Mis-features: The display is big and bright, and can't really be dimmed effectively. Worse yet, a degree of the light in the display and on the power button still shines after the unit has been turned off. -A.A. Milne ([email protected])

Specs: MD: Freq. Resp. 20-20kHz +1/-3dB, Wow and flutter: +/- .001%, Amp: 50W+50W. Speakers: Bass reflex, 15cm (6 inch) with 2.5cm dome tweeter.

Links: Sharp's comprehensive page for this unit. Another Sharp English page for this unit. The Cerberus Internet Audio Player is being bundled with the Sharp MD-X8H Network Audio Hi-Fi System. Liquid Audio was showcasing a prototype system for the Sharp MD-X8 at Winter CES. A Malaysian review of the Sharp MD-X8 and mention of the unit in Popular Science. More general info, its price, spec and picture. Dave Bell posts a review of the Sharp MD-X8 bookshelf system.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-X8PC

Features: World's first MD->MD edit equipped unit.

Reviews:

Reviews:

Features: Top load CD, Slot load MD. One-touch digital recording from CD to MD. 3-mode preprogrammed graphic equalizer. FM/AM synthesizer tuner with 40-station preset memory. 2-way speakers. Remote control.

Links: Sharp Japan's English page for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-M1

Features: CD to MD High Speed Dubbing (2x), MD player/recorder with full editing functions, Multi Function Fluorescent Display, AM/FM digital tuner with 40 station preset memory, CD to MD One Touch Synchro Dubbing System, X-Bass and 3-mode preset equalizer, 2-way Speaker System with removable grills, Full function remote control.

Links: Minidisco has information on this unit. Planet MiniDisc also has information on this unit. Ian McFarlane posts a review of the Sharp MD-M3, a CD/MD bookshelf system with 2X dubbing capability.

Specs: 16 watts per channel, Frequency Range: FM: 87.5 - 108 mHz, AM: 530-1720 kHz, 16 W min RMS per channel, 4 ohms from 80Hz to 20kHz with no more than 10% THD, AC 120V.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-M3

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-X60

Features: 2X CD to MD recording, Sound Enhancer, world band tuner.

Links: Sharp's Japanese press release for this unit. The T-Station has further information on this unit.

Specs: 12cm speakers, 50W.

Reviews:

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-M2

Features: 3-MD, 3-CD, 1-cassette. Slot load CD, Slot load MD. One-touch digital recording from CD to MD. FM/AM synthesizer tuner with 40-station preset memory. Full-logic cassette. 5-mode preprogrammed graphic equalizer. 3-way speakers. Jog dial. Remote control.

Links: Sharp Japan's English page for this unit. Art Simon writes a review of the Sharp MD-C2.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-C2

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-MX10

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-X3