Sony Players

Features:

• Digital amp
• Charging stand
• 6 band equalizer
• ATRAC/ATRA3 DSP Type-S
• Available in silver, blue, pink and orange
• White, backlit stick-controller remote

Links:

• Sony (Japan)
• AV-Watch (Japan)

Accessories: Headphones, remote, NiMH cell and case, charging stand, AC adapter, carrying pouch

Reviews:

Features:

• ATRAC Type-S
• 6-band equalizer.
• One touch eject.
• Available in 5 colors.

Included Accessories: In-ear phones, backlit 9-character Roman/Kana LCD remote, NiMH cell, charge stand, external AA cell case, carrying pouch, AC adapter

Links:

• Sony page
• GAZ Webshop (Japan) selling MZ-E620 and MZ-E720.

Specs: 5mW+5mW into 16 ohms

Reviews:

Features:

• New High Definition Digital amp IC (10dB less noise than MZ-E710 at low volumes).
• New "Quick start" function keeps audio data in memory, reducing startup time from dead stop to about 0.4 seconds.
• Aluminum body.
• ATRAC Type-S.
• 6-band equalizer.
• VPT ("Virtual Phone Technology") Acoustic Engine (cannot be used simultaneously w/6-band equalizer).
• One touch eject.
• Available in silver, blue, pink and brown.

Included Accessories: MDR-EX51 earbuds, backlit 9-character Roman/Kana LCD remote, NiMH cell, charge stand, external AA cell case, carrying pouch, AC adapter

Links:

• Sony page
• GAZ Webshop (Japan) selling MZ-E620 and MZ-E720.

Specs: 5mW+5mW into 16 ohms

Reviews:

Features:

• First Sony with docking cradle incorporating speakers (following Panasonic, Kenwood and JVC)
• ATRAC DSP Type-S
• G-Protection
• 6-band equalizer
• VPT (Virtual Phone Technology) Acoustic Engine (DSP synthesizing room acoustics)
• Backlit LCD remote
• 3 color info LED
• AC Adapter accepts 100-240VAC

Links:

• Sony (Japan) page for the unit.
• AVWatch (Japan) page for the unit.

Specs:

Headphone Amp:	5mW+5mW
Speaker Amp on batteries:	50mW+50mW
Speaker Amp on AC adapter:	450mW+450mW

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features:

• Teenage girl-friendly colors.
• G-Protection
• ATRAC DSP Type-S
• 6-band equalizer
• Charge stand
• White backlit LCD remote ("new")
• 3 color info LED
• New (16) play modes (See Sony portables glossary for definition)

Links:

• Sony (Japan) page for unit
• AVWatch (Japan) page for the unit.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW into 16 ohms

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features:

• Aluminum body
• G-Protection
• ATRAC Type-S
• Group and Bookmark function support
• 6 band equalizer with 4 presets and 2 user definable settings
• Backlit "new style" LCD remote
• New (16) play modes (See Sony portables glossary for definition)
• Charging Cradle
• Available in 4 color variations (silver, blue, orange, red)

Links:

• Sony (Japan) page for the unit.
• AVWatch (Japan) page for the unit.
• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.
• MDFR.com page for the unit.

Specs: 5mW+5mW

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Service Manual: MZ-E510

Features:

• ATRAC DSP Type-R
• G-Protection.
• Group mode support.
• Digital sound system presets.
• No remote.

Links:

• AVLand (UK) page for the unit.
• MDFR.com page for the unit.
• my-minidisc.com

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E310

Features: Unit features several changes from previous (MZ-E707) model:

• Digital Amp
• 6 band equalizer.
• VPT (Virtual Phones Technology) uses DSP to provide "Studio, Club, Live, or Arena" effects.
• New (yet again) backlit LCD stick remote with jog lever and 6 character display.
• "Bookmark track" function allows up to 20 favorite tracks on a disk to be selected for playback. Selected tracks are forgotten when lid is opened.
• "New" Play modes, including program play.
• Digital Pitch Control (playback speed adjustable from -50% to +100% without pitch change).

Features common to previous units:

• G-protection.
• Personal disc memory (remembers equalizer settings on a per disc basis)
• Beep on/off selectable.
• One-touch eject.
• 3 color info LED.
• Melody timer (for avoiding missed train stops)
• Available in silver, blue, pink and brown.

Links:

• Sony's Japanese MZ-E710 page.
• Minidisc T-station MZ-E710 page.

Included Accessories: Rechargeable battery, Remote control, Headphones (earbuds), Recharging stand, Attachable drycell (AA) case, Carrying pouch, AC adapter.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5+5mW into 16 ohms (JEITA)

Reviews:

Service Manual: MZ-E710

Features: Sony's 10th anniversary Minidisc player. Unit achieves new world firsts in weight and size.

• World's thinnest (10mm) and lightest (55g w/batt) MD player (as of 2 Sep 2002).
• New optical pickup and motor (30% thinner) and miniaturized main IC (33% smaller) [compared with MZ-E909].
• Charge stand has 3 color LED indicating charge or remaining battery.
• New 3mm headphone jack (requires adapter for normal headphones!).
• Digital Amp
• "High grade" headphones (earbuds)

  Common to MZ-N10 and MZ-E10:

• Built-in 3mm Lithium Ion cell.
• Further thinning of the magnesium case.
• Backlit remote has 2-line display for Roman alphabet titles, 1-line for Kanji titles.
• "Virtual Headphone Technology Acoustic Engine" uses DSP to provide "Studio, Club, Live, or Arena" effects.
• Equalizer allows 7 steps of adjustment (-10dB to +10dB) in 6 frequency bands. Equalizer settings are established with one of four fixed presets ("Heavy, Pops, Jazz, Unique") or one of 2 custom (i.e. user defined) settings. Equalizer and "Virtual Headphone" cannot be used together.
• "Bookmark Track" function can remember up to 20 "favorite tracks" from an MD, and will play those tracks only. (Remembered tracks are forgotten when player is opened).
• "Digital Pitch Control" Adjustable playback speed from -50% to +100% (factor of 0.5x to 2.0x) in 13 steps without change of pitch.
• "New" Play mode (See Sony portables glossary).

Links:

• Sony's Japanese press release (mech. translations: Babelfish (courtesy Peter Ravn), Translingo).
• Sony Minidisc 10th anniversary page (mech. translation).
• AV-Land (UK) coverage (good photo).
• Minidisc T-Station coverage.
• Spanish coverage at Quesabesde.
• AV Watch page (mech. trans has coverage of the MZ-N10/E10 and LAM-10 units.
• PocketFad (Shenzhen China) has further photos of the unit.
• Japan-Direct page for the unit.
• Minidisco page for the unit.

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

Included Accessories: (Japanese edition) Backlit remote, charging stand, AC adapter (for use with charging stand), carrying pouch, headphone adapter.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E10

Service Manual: MZ-E10

Features:

• MDLP
• G-protection
• Group mode
• Digital Sound Preset
• 16 Play modes including program play
• 3-color info LED
• Back-lit LCD remote with 9 character display
• One-touch eject
• Beep on/off settable
• Index search

Links:

• Sony's Japanese MZ-E505 page.
• Found on Minidisc T-Station catalog scan (md_3.jpg).

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Service Manual: MZ-E505

Features: Wireless remote control. MDLP playback (SP/LP2/LP4), G-Protection shock memory (up to 160 seconds in LP4 mode), 7 step playback speed control, 8 step bass and treble adjustment, unit recharges in charging cradle, alarm clock function.

Links: Second try for wireless remotes: Terry Park points out a photo and Japanese info for the Sony MZ-E606 portable MD player, with a small, pocketable, wireless remote. ChinaByte has some information on the MZ-E606W.

Specs: 5mW+5mW output. 100V AC adapter.

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: MDLP playback (SP/LP2/LP4), G-Protection shock memory (up to 160 seconds in LP4 mode), 7 step playback speed control, 8 step bass and treble adjustment, unit recharges in charging cradle, alarm clock function.

Links: Sony's official Japanese page (trans) for the MZ-E707. Minidisco has some further info and pictures of the MZ-E707.

Specs: 5mW+5mW output. 100V AC adapter.

Reviews:

Service Manual: MZ-E707

Features: MDLP playback (SP/LP2/LP4), ATRAC Type-R, G-Protection shock memory (up to 160 seconds in LP4 mode). Main body of unit composed of magnesium for lightness and rigidity. Remote control is capable of display Kanji Chinese characters (see picture at left), unit recharges in charging cradle.

Links:

• Sony's original Japanese press release (translation) for the MZ-E909.
• Sony's official Japanese page (translation) for the MZ-E909.
• MDMan (Korea) has a gallery of MZ-E909 photos.
• Japan-Direct also has a bunch of pictures of the MZ-E909.
• Impress Watch, a Japanese electronics news site, has a page with further info on the MZ-E909.
• Planet Minidisc's Sony 2002 portables feature comparison chart.

Specs: 3mW+3mW output. 100V AC adapter.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E909

Service Manual: MZ-E909

Features: MDLP and Group Function compatible. Eight-level bass and treble adjustment. Unit is recharged by placing it in the recharging stand. Available in silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

Links: Sony's Japanese press release for the MZ-E501 (machine trans.).

Specs: 1.5V DC. Times listed are for SP/LP2/LP4 modes.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E501

Service Manual: MZ-E501

Features: MDLP capability, extra long remote cord, 40-second anti-shock protection (160 second protection in LP4 mode). Has the ability to alert the user to an incoming cell phone call (see explanation below).

User Notes: According to Sony's site, the cell phone alert function only works with the Japanese domestic protocol of CDMA, one of the largest cell phone networks in Japan (PHS being the other one, which is not compatible). It works by having CDMA built into the E600, then the MD player can recognize the signal patterns of CDMA-incoming calls to a device within close proximity (in this case, probably 1.5ft), then it plays a beep through the MD's headphones to notify the user. --Jason Kwan

Links: Sony Japanese press release describing the new MZ-E600 portable MD player

Specs: 1.5V DC.
(battery times shown show SP/LP2/LP4)

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Features: Cost reduced non-MDLP player for foreign (non-Japanese) market. Button layout and LCD located on rear face of the unit. Repeat (1/All/Shuffle/Program) play. 64 possible treble/bass settings. Digital mega-bass. No remote (nor can it accept one, the headphone jack does not have a remote connector). Only 20 second shock protection.

Links:

• AVLand has photos and specs on the MZ-E300.
• The button placement on the MZ-E300 seems to be following standards outlined for a GKOS keyboard.
• Video-direct's comparison table lists this unit and other current Sony models.
• Available from Etronics for US$83.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E300

Service Manual: MZ-E300

Features: Similar to MZ-E700 but larger, with shorter battery life and without "Disc Memory" function. Button layout located on backside of the unit. MDLP capable, 64 different possible treble/bass settings (8 treble and 8 bass) that can be stored as two presets, 16 Mbit DRAM gives 40-second anti-shock protection (160-second protection in LP4 mode). Extra battery life was achieved by increasing the rotation speed of the disk by three times, according to Sony's press release.

Links: Sony's official Japanese press release for the MZ-E500. Sony's offical Japanese page for this unit. Sony's Japanese Walkman page for the MZ-E500.

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

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E500

Service Manual: MZ-E500

Features: MZ-E900 class machine (differs by being a bit larger). MDLP capable. Program play mode. Playback speed controllable from 80% to 110% in 5% steps. Sound settings: 8 treble and 8 bass (64 possible settings total). "Disc Memory Function" associates program play settings, playback speed, sound settings and volume level with each disc.

Links: Sony's Japanese page for this unit. A Japanese electronics page mentions the MZ-E700. Another Japanese electronics page has some photos and a short description of the MZ-E700. MiniDisc T-Station posts info on the Sony MZ-E700 T's MD Comparison Table pages add Sony MZ-E700 photos and specs. A Japanese shop has brochure images of the MZ-E700.

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Service Manual: MZ-E700

Features: Record-breaking size and battery life, playing in LP4 mode for 100 hours (NiMH+AA). Unique "disc based settings" feature remembers program play, treble & bass, repeat mode, playback speed (80-110%), and volume settings for up to 20 discs within the unit. Shock proof memory capacity depends on record mode-- LP4: 160s, LP2&mono: 80s, SP: 40s.

Links: Sony's Japanese page for this unit (machine translation). T's tables has further information on this unit as well as photos from recent MD brochures for the Sony MZ-E900. MDLand has an e-tailer page for the MZ-E900. MDnara.com, a Korean MD vendor, has dozens of detailed shots of the Sony MZ-E900. Video-direct's comparison table lists this unit and other current Sony models.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E900

Service Manual: MZ-E900

Features: Bass and treble controls, new head loading mechanism, anti-shock buffer of 40 seconds, standard play mode functions, AVLS feature. Includes charging stand, remote control with LCD, AC adaptor, dry battery case, and pouch.

Links: Sony's Japanese announcement for this unit (and an English machine translation). A closeup of Sony's new Walkman logo, found on the MZ-E800. According to Sony it emphasizes the new Sony network era. The Korean MD page posts 20 photos of the Sony MZ-E800

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Service Manual: MZ-E800

Features: Pop colors, one touch eject, bass and treble controls with 2 presets.

Links: Sony's Japanese page for this unit. Another Japanese news announcement and photo of this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: J

Service Manual: MZ-E77

Features: Pop-open eject. AA drycell based player; no internal recharge function, no external recharger supplied, no external battery case, no DC IN jack. LCD is on remote only and not backlit (remote: RM-MZ2N). Colors: silver, blue.

Lack of remote backlight support: Though the MZ-E60 has a remote port and supports LCD remote functions, it does not support the remote backlight feature. Neither the backlit remote from the MZ-E55 (the RM-MZ55), nor the RM-MZ2S (the backlit version of the MZ-E60's RM-MZ2N) will illuminate their backlight when plugged into the MZ-E60, although in both cases the LCD and functions on the remotes work fine. -Roland M.

Variants: The MZ-E62 is the European version of the MZ-E60, only its color [silver with blue accents] differs.

User comments: I have the MZ-E60 and was surprised to find the model that replaces it, the MZ-E300, to be somewhat inferior: The MZ-E300 has no remote, nor can it accept one (headphone jack does not have the remote connector). The body is completely plastic, unlike that of the E60, which has an aluminum lid. And I'm curious about why Sony decided to limit the memory buffer to 20 secs rather than 40, which is the usual limit on all current Sony MD players and recorders. I doubt this smaller buffer will make any practical difference, but it does point to Sony's effort to "cheap out" on overall quality. The only advantage the E300 seems to have over the E60 is that its stated battery life is almost tripled. -Brett Kaplan

Links: Superfi (UK) has further photos of the unit. The T-Station has further information on this unit. MDLand has multiple angle views of this unit. A user's in-depth MZ-E60 review.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E60

Service Manual: MZ-E60

Features:

• Unit has the first wireless remote control capability for a portable MD unit.
• Watch displays track, time, and even title information.
• Also works as a fully functional wristwatch.
• Headphones are still wired directly to the unit for optimal sound quality.
• One-touch eject mechanism.
• 40-second shock protection
• All standard play modes.

Links:

• Sony's Japanese announcement for this unit's release (See English machine translation).
• A friend sends in photos of the Sony MZ-E7W wristwatch remote.

Reviews:

• Christoper's MZ-E7W photo gallery/review
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Specs: Watch remote powered by a Lithium battery (CR2032) which will last for approximately three months with regular use. Transportation frequency: 239.54MHz

User Manual: J/E

Features: Has the longest portable MD player battery life in the world (as of Oct 20, 1999) of 77 hours. Includes unique charging base for entire unit. Employs a newly developed low power LSI, "laser coupler" optical pickup, and built-in LiIon Polymer battery. Battery LED indicator, bass and treble controls adjustable to 7 different levels each (with two user presets). 40 second shock protection

Links: Sony's Japanese page for this unit. Martin Clinton notes an interesting ZDNet article on Lithium Ion Polymer Batteries, the ``builtin'' rechargeable cell used in the Sony MZ-E95 player.

Specs: Maximum output level 5mW+5mW, DC 1.5V, AC 100V.

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Features: Small size and light weight realized through newly developed optical pickup, Newly developed "One Touch Eject" mechanism makes disc changing easy, World's smallest MD player body (as of Aug 24, 1999), high stiffness magnesium casing, World's longest battery life achieved (as of Aug 24 1999) at about 56 hours, Popular new "Smart Stick Controller" type remote, Three color variations, 40 seconds of long duration shock resistant memory, all standard play modes, AVLS volume limiting system.

Links: Sony's Japanese release announcement for this unit. Sony's Japanese release announcement translated into English. Sony's Tourist model page for the MZ-E90. Michael Petnuch writes a Sony MZ-E90 review. Tom Chmielinski contributes a nice Sony MZ-E90 review, saying the unit's nearly too tiny! Superfi posts zoomable, rotatable scans of this unit. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit. Leo Davidson sends in a good scan of the MZ-E90 English instruction sheet.

Specs: Max output level of 5mW+5mW, AC100V.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E90

Service Manual: MZ-E90

Features: 40 second shock memory, One Touch Eject Mechanism, Backlit Remote (no LCD on body), Twin headphone output, 8-step bass and treble adjustments that can be remembered in two "user profile" settings.

Variants: North American model comes with NiCd instead of NiMH cell.

Links: Sony's Japanese page for this unit. Sony's Tourist model page for the MZ-E75. The MiniDisc T-Station has a review for this unit. Superfi (UK) has information on this unit as well as rotatable photos. Ian McFarlane posts a review of the Sony MZ-E75 player. Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E75

Service Manual: MZ-E75

Features: Was world's longest battery life MD player (May '99). Incorporates "Smart Stick Controller" with 9 character display and improved design (slimmer, easier to operate -- control knob at end of stick is now pushed left and right rather than twisted). 40 Second shock memory. Handstrap. Two-tone color scheme.

Links: Japanese info and photos and Sony's announcement of their MZ-E80 portable player. Ian McFarlane posts a Sony MZ-E80 review.

Specs: Freq. Resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-E80, J/E

Service Manual: MZ-E80

Features: Nearly the same as the MZ-E55 internally. 40 second shock memory. Backlit remote. Battery is charged with separate recharger (included). Available in [apparently exciting] blue, white and yellow colors.

Links: Sony's Japanese page for the unit. MiniDisc World has a review for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E70

Service Manual: MZ-E70

Features: Small: 32% smaller volume and 35g lighter than the MZ-E35. Diecast magnesium case. 40 second shock memory, backlit "stick controller" remote. Battery life on NH-9WM (included): 7.5hr, AAx1: 10hr, both: 20hr. Recharge time (on external recharger, available separately): 1hr. Available in gold (nearly silver) and blue (nearly black). In Switzerland (and Europe?) on the Gold/silver model is available.

Links:

• Sony's Japanese announcement and photos of the MZ-R55, MZ-E55 and MZ-E33 portables.
• Japan-Direct's photos of the unit.
• Andy Cheng's review of this unit.
• Larry McMorrn at MaxFire kindly submits a scan of the Sony MZ-E55 manual.
• As of 14 May 2000, the Sony MZ-E55 is being sold for $150 at J&R (search for mze55).

User comments: The volume buttons on the remote are troublesome. You would like to be able to use any of the controls on the remote with a finger and a thumb. The + button is located directly across from the Hold switch, so you can easily grip the remote and press the + button without worrying about the Hold switch. But the - button is located across from the pause button so you can't just grip and press the - button very easily. Note that the main body uses a single rocker switch for the volume as opposed to two buttons, and that would perhaps be better for the remote. This may apply to other Sony models with remotes (the MZ-E55's remote is labelled "RM-MZE55"). Additionally, the unit "...has a rather poorly designed battery door. It's kind of fragile and the clipping is very smooth: when carried in a pocket it may sometimes (well, seldom) open by itself thanks to clothes' friction." (Marc Herbert)

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-E55, MZ-E55

Features: Main function buttons on reverse side. 10 second shock memory. Non-backlit stick remote. Battery compartment accepts gumpack orAA cell. Included rechargeable cell: NH-MDAA (NiMH in AA form factor). Available in [silver-toned] gold, blue and black. Headphones for US model are MDR-A34 (folding, over-the-head style).

Parts: MD-Mechanism Type: MT-MZE55-150, Optical Pick-up Type: ODX-1A/1B

Links: Sony's Japanese announcement and photos of the MZ-R55, MZ-E55 and MZ-E33 portables. A Sony announcement stating that the MZ-E33 player and the MZ-R37 recorder will be released in the US in February. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit. Sony's MD Bundle 6 (MDS-JE330 + MZ-E33) has a $50 rebate (pages 1 and 2). (Todd Lynch points out Sony Bundle 6 coverage at Crutchfield.) Calum Tsang's well rounded review of the unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E33

Service Manual: MZ-E33

Features: 10 second shock memory. All controls for both units are mounted on a curved surface for ease of use, especially in poor lighting. The included remote is backlit, and is an updated version of the standard Sony stick remote that is currently found on other Sony MD models. Included handstrap lessens the hazard of it dropping on the floor. The MZ-E44 comes in Sparkling Blue and Sparkling Silver, the MZ-E45 comes in Orange and Metallic Gray. Play modes include single song repeat, total disc repeat, and shuffle mode. Includes AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System). Above listed dimensions include the protruding control surface, so actual dimensions of main unit are slightly smaller. Battery life: 5.5 hours with rechargeable battery, 8.5 with one alkaline AA (via included external add-on battery pack), 16 hours with both. Recharging of battery takes one hour (uses the same battery as the MZ-E35).

Parts: MD-Mechanism Type: MT-MZE44-140, Optical Pick-up Type: ODX-1A/1B

Links: Sony's Japanese MZ-E44/E45 announcement (and an English translation). Eric Whitney maintains a MZ-E44/E45 Info Page. Known dealers of this unit include Sawada Denki, and Japan Direct. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit. As of 14 May 2000, the Sony MZ-E44 is being sold for $100 at J&R (search for mze44). Michael Kirkman has created a handsome Sony MZ-E44 review page that includes a clear scan of the user manual.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-E44, HTML

Service Manuals: MZ-E44, MZ-E44

Features: 40 second shock memory. Playing time: NiMH gumpack: 6 hours 1 AA cell: 12 hours, both together: 16 hours. (Martin Clinton ([email protected]) conducted a controlled experiment and achieved a playing time of 7:40 with a single 1400mAh NiMH battery.)

Comments: The E35 is an interesting evolution of the E30. The E35's dimensions would be nearly identical to an E30 with its rear battery bulge shaved off. Simply as a design statement however, the E35 is not necessarily an improvement. Whereas the E30 belonged to the ``windswept stone'' school of design, bearing sensuous curves that made it a pleasure to hold, the E35 is more of the ``technobrick'' school. Its surfaces are dead flat, and its edges are surprisingly sharp. In an interesting twist, the LCD display and controls are on the rear surface, and instead of the traditional hold switch, the [tiny] stop, seek, play and volume buttons are under a sliding ``hold shutter'', quite similar to the one the edit controls were hidden under on the MZ-R2. Finally, the ``open'' button is a simple push-button (much like a CD player), not a sliding button as on all other Sony's to date. -eaw

Links: Sony's Japanese page for the unit and it's English translation. An MZ-E35 review from CNET. Nic Boyde's snaphots of the Sony MZ-E35. Tugrul Tanyol has conducted a comparison of the Sony MZ-E35 and Sharp ST501 portable MD players. Matt Cervi has made a detailed Sony MZ-E35 Test Mode page. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit. A user writes a comparison review between the Sony MZ-E35 and MZ-E2. A user writes a comparison review between the Sony MZ-E35 and Panasonic SJ-MJ70.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-E35, J/E

Features: Battery compartment accepts either NiMH gumpack or 1.5V AA cell (separate battery case cannot be used). Bass boost and AVLS controls are on the rear surface, other controls are mounted on the left edge. Playback time: NiMH gumpack 4.5 hours, AA alkaline: 6 hours, NiCad: 2 hours. Available in silver, blue or orange. NiMH gumpack and charger are sold separately.

Links: Sony's Japanese page for the unit and it's English translation. Nic Boyde's snaphots of the MZ-E25. The MZ-E25 is spotted for $100 at Costco (membership not required). Another deal found: The MZ-E25 for $101 at Overstock.com.

Reviews:

User Manual: J/E

Features: Based upon E30/E50 electronics but with a new ``head loading'' mechansim that allows an MD to simply be pushed against the top of unit, whereupon the door pops out of the way and permits disc insertion. Battery compartment accepts either a gum pack shaped Nickel Hydride cell or a single AA cell. The former provides 4 hours playback, the later 5 hours.

Links: Sony's Product Announcement (translated). Nic Boyde's detailed snapshots of the EP11 give a good view of the disc loading mechanism. A user's review of the EP11. Mo Jaquith contributes an extensive review of the Sony MZ-EP11. A snapshot of Jamiroquai in a Sony MD ad shows him wearing an MZ-EP11 on his head. Sony Japan's page showing an animation of the EP11's head loading mechanism. Sony's English page for the EP11 portable. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-EP11

Features: US intro May 1997. Two LCD's, one each for the MD and tuner. Automatic station preset (finds FM stations and presets them in memory), Automatic memory scan (scans and plays stations which have been preset), 24 station memory (8 AM/ 16 FM). Metallic gray finish, LCD remote that controls tuner and MD player. 6 hours MD playback on two AAs, 4.5 hours on rechargeable NiMH. Radio play: 35 hours on two AAs, 28 hours on rechargeable. Wide band FM tuner: 87.5-108MHz, AM: 530-1710kHz. Optional BP-DM20 battery.

Reviews:

• Roger Williams' review of the MZ-F40.

Links: Sony's business to business MZ-F40 page.

User Manual: MZ-F40

Service Manual: MZ-F40

Features: ATRAC 3.5 (CXD2536AR), "Vertical" design, large LCD readout, 10 second buffer memory. Provides 4 hours playback on two AA batteries. Unit will accept the Sony Ni-MH battery-pack model BP-DM20 which charges internally in about 3 hours using the AC adapter and provides 3 hours [Sony] to 4 hours [user report] continuous playback. Unit not available in Japan.

Variants: Unit dubbed MZ-E20 in Europe and Canada and comes without the AC adapter

Comments: Tips: If you can't get enough output from your MZ-E40 try a pair of Koss Porta Pro or Porta Pro Jr. phones for $40. They look like full-size foam earpad phones but cleverly fold up into a 3.5 x 2.5" bundle. They develop strong bass and have an spl around 105dB (compared to 90-96dB for most headphones). Also, see the Headphone Amps section of the accessories table.

A user writes that using the MZ-E40 with a power adapter and playing it at full volume can cause it to overheat and shutdown. A solution in a car environment (if you have a separate power amp) is to wire the E40 directly to the car's power amp inputs so that you may run the unit at a lower volume setting.

NiCads can be charged inside the unit by using a small piece of cardboard or rubber eraser to hold down the charger enabling switch inside the battery compartment.

A user reports: I learned to use only Duracell alkaline batteries with this player (7.5 hours per pair with the player mostly sitting still). Rechargeable alkalines don't last long enough -- only 1.5 to 4 hours, they are unreliable. He later adds: I bought two pairs of Duracell Ultra AA's. The first pair only lasted 6 hours; I was walking around. The second pair lasted 7:45 -- only fifteen minutes longer than the standard batteries, not the 1 hour longer as claimed on the duracell.com web site. That is enough testing to indicate to me that the Ultras do not last much longer than the standard model, but cost significantly more. I got some 12 hours out of the expensive Lithium AA batteries with the E40.

Misfeatures: The E40 bridges the bass to mono when megabass is enabled. Check by switching back and forth between megabass and flat, listen for the bass part of the music jump to the center. -Michael Hoffman

Links: Sony's announcment of the MZ-E40 MD player. Sony US page info, and Sony US MDBUNDLE4 page. A user's review of the MZ-E40. A user's review of the MD Bundle3 (which includes the MZ-E40). A TWICE CES '97 article mentions the Sony MZ-F40 AM/FM/MD player. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-E20, MZ-E40, MZ-E20 courtesy Glenn Stasse

Features: E50: Diecast magnesium case, silver color. E30: MD ``Jacket'' size design, available in metallic silver, sparkling blue or sparkling orange. Both units: LCD display on both remote and main unit. 4 hours playback on Nickel-Hydride rechargeable cell, 5 hours on 1 AA cell alone, 10 hours with both batteries (though a user reports getting 5h40m on an E30 with a fully charged NiMH cell). Recharge time: 40%: 15 min., 100%: 60 min. External power: 1.5V with separately available power pack. Included accesories: Headphones w/remote, Ni-Hydride cell, recharger, alkaline cell w/case, carrying pouch, battery carrying case, ear attachment. AC adapter is sold separately.

Tips: Available in Europe, a Kippling fotocameracase is exactly large enough to hold the MZ-E30, 1 spare disc with case and the penlight batterycase.

Links: Sony's information page and (translated) English version. A scan of all the surfaces of an MZ-E50. Sony's English MZ-R50 page. An article from the Nikkei Business Weekly sheds light on how Sony's MZ-E50 MDplayer was created. A user's review of the MZ-E30. Daniel Perup has a page devoted to the MZ-E30 he won in a Sony contest. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E30

Service Manual: MZ-E50

Features: ATRAC 3. Ni-MH (BP-DM20) rechargeable or 2 AA cells (LIP-12 LiIon rechargeable can be used with separately available external case). LCD display on main unit and remote. bass boost.

Tips: As mentioned in the E3 owner's manual, the MZ-E3 is capable of recharging the Ni-MH battery pack, model BP-DM20 ($25 from The Edge electronics in the US). The BP-DM20 will play continuously for 2.5-3 hours, compared to 1.5 hours with NiCads.

Comparison with MZ-E2: The MZ-E2 is smaller than the MZ-E3 unless you use AA drycell batteries. The AA attachment to the E2 is bulky and makes it bigger than the E3. The E2 does not have a built-in LCD, you must use the remote to see what track you are on. The E2 and E3 are almost identical in operation and features.

Links: Sony Page info.

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-E3

Features: ATRAC 2. 10-second shock-resistant memory LCD display on remote. bass boost. LIP-10 lithium ion rechargeable. Playback 2 hours on LiIon, 4 hours on 3AA cells, 7.5 hours on both together. AC adapter, carrying case.

Links: MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit. A user writes a comparison review between the Sony MZ-E35 and MZ-E2.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MZ-E2, MZ-E2

Service Manual: MZ-E2

Features: ATRAC 1. 10-second shock-resistant memory. Shuttle ring controls cue and review. Shuffle, repeat, auto-resume. Backlit LCD display for disc name, track name, time. Bass boost. 75 minutes continuous play on BP-MZ1 NiCad battery pack. 1 hour recharge time.

Specs: Headphone amp: 5mW+5mW (into 16 ohms)

Reviews:

User Manual: MZ-2P

Service Manual: MZ-2P