Kenwood Recorders

Features: Prototype shown at IFA Berlin 2003.

• High(er) speed NetMD downloading: SP: 4X, LP2: 25X, LP4: 50X
• Small docking station with LCD, power, line in/out, optical in and USB connections (no LCD on MD unit).
• Auto (microphone recording) and manual analog recording level control. Digital recording level control.
• Group mode support.
• Timer alarm (avoid missing your train stop).
• CD synchro recording.
• Character-stamp (copy track titles from original to copied MD).
• One-bit digital amp with 4 pole headphone connector.
• Backlit Kanji-capable LCD remote.
• Available in silver, black, and red.

Variants: Unit is dubbed IM-DR80 in Japan and IM-DR580 in Europe. Kenwood sells the unit as the DMC-S9NET.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese press release
• Kenwood DMC-S9NET page.
• AVWatch Japan.
• Minidisc T-Station page.

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW+8mW @ 32ohms, line: 125mV @ 10k ohms

Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, headphones, NiMH battery and case, multi-voltage (100V-240V) AC adapter, "Multi-link station" (docking stand), external AA cell case, carrying pouch, USB cable, manuals, BeatJam software CD and manuals

Optional Accessories: HP-MD33 headphones (9mm diameter, in-the-ear type, 3 silicon gum earpiece sizes (S, M, L), ¥3800), HP-MD90 headphones (16mm diameter, adjustable angle, aluminum, over-the-ear type, ¥3300)

Reviews:

User Manuals: IM-DR80, IM-DR580

Features: MDLP capable. Smallest portable MD recorder in the world as of October 2000. Battery "memory effect" is reduced by automatic discharging circuitry in the charge stand. Can interface with a computer via USB connection kit (AD-PCR2), allowing track and title management and automatic label printing of a MiniDisc's contents, as well as an audio connection. "Scan" feature plays the first five seconds of each track. Two-line 12-character LCD display, digital recording level control, X-BASS boost, 40-second shock protection (provides 160 second protection in LP4 mode), hand strap. Microphone-synchronized recording function only records when sound is heard. Mono mode recordings can be played back at 2x speed. Track ``auto-mark'' function can be set to mark a track at regular intervals (3,5,10 minutes?). "Name Stamp" function allows easy copying of character information from one disc to another.

Variants: US (and Euro?) model badged the MD-MT877.

Reviews:

• Brian Youn's wonderfully detailed review.
• Read IGN's review of the Sharp MD-MT77.
• TechTV's review of the Sharp MD-MT877.
• HiFi Choice review of the Sharp MD-MT877.
• CNet comparison of the Sharp MD-MT877, Sony MZ-R900 and MZ-R700.

Links:

• Sharp's official Japanese press release for the MD-MT77.
• Sharp's official Japanese homepage for the MD-MT77.
• Japan Direct offers the Sharp MD-MT77 portable for US$399.
• T's MD Comparison Page has the MD-MT77 listed.
• A Chinese electronics news page has info on the MD-MT77.
• An official Sharp press release talks about the upcoming release of the MD-MT877 (US version of MT77) and the MD-MT90.
• Kenwood's Japanese press release for the DMC-M7R.

Specs: 5mW+5mW headphone output, 20 bit D/A converter, 1.2V NiMH, 1.5V AA, 5V adapter. Disc spins at about 400-1,350 rpm.
(battery times shown show SP/LP2/LP4)

User Manuals: MD-MT77, Update

Service Manual: MD-MT77

Features: Sharp claims 7 records for the unit:

1. Smallest and thinnest recorder (as of 7/99), 13% smaller and 14% thinner than previous MD-MT821 model.
2. Longest playing recorder (employs 7th generation ATRAC chip using .25 micron process that, along with high speed disc drive circuit and mechanism, was designed for low power consumption).
3. First portable recorder with recharging stand (no audio or control connections via cradle, however unit can record and playback while recharging in stand).
4. First portable recorder with Kanji display on remote (832's remote shows Kanji, 831's does not, though Kanji remote is available as an option). Remote is backlit and can display 5 Kanji or Hiragana, or 10 Katakana or Roman letters.
5. First portable recorder with optional PC (AD-PCR1) and Zaurus (AD-ZAR1) link. Via this link, titling (including Kanji input) and editing can be conducted, as well as program play selection, label printing, and MD library management. For label printing, 8 patterns are available, as well as the ability to include digital camera images. Name application can be downloaded from Sharp's home page
6. First portable recorder with digital recording level control.
7. First portable recorder with auto fade in and fade out during recording start and finish. Will automatically fade out level as recording encounters end of disc (3 step fade time selector)

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese annoucement and official page for the unit.
• A user's advice on using the Sharp Japanese AC adaptor.
• Japan-Direct posts several clear snapshots of the Sharp MD-MT831.
• Ed Wong has made a comparison photo gallery of the Sharp MD-MT831 and Kenwood DMC-L7R (its clone).
• Kenwood's Japanese page for its DMC-L7R unit (a Sharp MD-MT831 clone).
• Sharp's Japanese MD-MT831 PC Link page, with downloads and screen shots of the software available for PC and Zaurus platforms.
• The Korean MD page shows details and snapshots of Sharp's PC-Link kit for the MD-MT831.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The Korean MD page has several snapshots of the Kenwood DMC-L7R (Sharp MD-MT831 clone).

Reviews:

• Robert has made a close and careful Sharp MD-MT831 review.
• Brian Youn's exquisitely detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831.
• Robert Nguyen also contributes a detailed comparison of the Sony MZ-R90 and Sharp MD-MT831 portables.
• Ian McFarlane adds a review of Sharp's MD-MT831 PC-Link kit (using Japanese software minus the fonts!).
• HiFi Choice magazine (UK) has a review.

Entering Service mode: Do be careful! It's pretty similar to most of the other Sharp portables but the battery compartment must be OPEN - i.e. the unit must have NO POWER. 1) Press and hold PLAY, SYNC[Enter] and DISP buttons. 2) THEN drop in the battery and close the compartment (or apply external power - eg turn on the DC power source). Display shows the EEPROM version code, followed by all symbols lighting up, followed by the standard Sharp test menu. My EEPROM version code is 921AcX. -Dave Hooper Gadget Squad reviews the Sharp MD-MT831, with favorable findings.

Specs: Motor speed: 400-1350 rpm, headphone amp: 10mW + 10mW * Headphone volume at 0 during recording and 15 during playback.

User Manual: MD-MT831 courtesy Robert Schwartz

Features: Through component size reductions, unit has 28% less volume and is 20% thinner than the MS721. Uses same LSI chip set as the MS721/722 (Sharp ATRAC 6). "Top open" (i.e. clamshell, not slot-in) disc insertion. 40 second shock memory. 20bit DAC and ADC. High speed scroll and 3 character display during character selection speeds titling. Triple shuttle backlit LCD remote. Mic and digital synchro start recording. Disk/track "name stamp" function allows titles to be cloned from another disc. 2x high speed playback option on mono recordings. Unit can be operated while recharging. Available in silver, blue and black.

Included accessories: LCD remote, headphone, LiIon cell, AC adapter, connection cord, AA cell case, handstrap, carrying case, instruction manual, warranty card.

Separately available accessories: 100-240VAC adaptor (AD-SS70AP) ¥5000, LiIon cell (AD-T51BT) ¥5500 (from 3/21/99), LCD remote (AD-S31RM) ¥7500, Car power (12/24VDC) adapter (AD-CA20X) ¥5000, Digital sound card (AD-AJ2) ¥25,000.

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese page and press release for the unit.
• Sharp's English MD-MT821 page.
• Photos and Japanese info for Kenwood's DMC-K9R, their Sharp MD-ST821 clone.
• Robert Nguyen's detailed review and clear photos of the Sharp MD-MT821, plus his extensive comparison of the Sharp MD-MT821, Sony MZ-R55, and Aiwa AM-F70.
• Japan-Direct has made a nice Sony MZ-R55 vs. Sharp MD-ST821 comparison that includes a side by side shot showing their relative thicknesses.
• MiniDisc World has a review for this unit.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• Leon Out provides detailed coverage of the unit, including the results of a search for new remote commands.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The MD-MT821 is awarded the Etown Editor's pick position for best high performance MD unit.

Tips: Matthew Swift ([email protected]) reports that the Sony AC adapter model AC-E45HG (around $20) will work with the unit, even though it is rated at 4.5V and only 700mA.

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mw+10mw into 16ohms, Line: 250mV (@-12dB) into 10Kohms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MT821 courtesy Nick Paul, quick guide

Features:

• 40 second shock memory, Sharp ATRAC 6.
• .25 um process LSI includes digitized RF section, signal encoder/decoder, digital servo EFM processing and ATRAC compression and decompression on a single chip.
• 20bit ADC and DAC.
• Backlit remote (MS721 remote features 3 small jog rings for controlling track selection, X-bass and volume. MS722 remote includes watch/alarm clock functions and features 2 small jog rings for controlling track selection and volume).
• MS722 features large jog dial on front face of unit for titling and control.
• MS721 features diecast aluminum construction

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording.

Tips: The skip-track fwd/bkwd buttons on the remote are used to increase or decrease the recording level (values 0-30). It mirrors the functionality of the base unit. -Arne Bier

Links:

• Japanese info and pictures on Pioneer's PMD-P5 and 'R55 portables.
• Japanese information for Kenwood's DMC-K7R.
• Hannes Rohde has done a little experiment with the mic synchro start feature.
• Rob has a thorough review of the Kenwood DMC-K7R.
• Japan-Direct has photos of the Kenwood DMC-K7R.
• Jake Eu gives a sobering review of the Sharp MD-MS722, saying there are few real differences over the MS702.
• Joseph Reagle's Sharp MD-MS722 review.
• Japan Direct has a few snapshots of the unit.
• Robert Nguyen's thorough comparison of the Sony MZ-R55 and Kenwood DMC-K7R portables.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• MiniDisc-Canada offers the hard-to-find Sharp external drycell case for the MD-MS70x and MD-S301 portables.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Radio College has a careful Sharp MD-MS722 review from a pro-use standpoint.

Specs: Input levels: Mic H: 0.25mV, 10Kohms, Mic L: 2.5mV, 10KOhms, Line: 100mV, 20Kohms. Headphone: 10mW+10mW, 16Ohms. Line: 300mV (@ -12dB), 10Kohms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MS721, quick guide, short

Service Manual: MD-MS721

Features: First recorder with an ``MD Jacket'' (i.e. square front face) design. Sharp ATRAC 5. 10 second shock memory. New 1 chip LSI incorporating the [digitalized] RF section, signal processing encoder/decoder, digital servo, EFM processing and audio compression/decompression circuitry. MS702 is ``sporty look'' model. Sampling rate converter. Digital/Line/Mic synchro start, goes into pause after 3 seconds silence. Mono recording. 2X quick playback mode. Time automarking at 3, 5 and 10 minute intervals. ``Moji Stamp'' function allows text transfer from original to newly recorded disc. Manual recording level control only (no AGC), microphone sensitivity selection is built-in, as part of the recording level control setting (0-20: HIGH, 21-30: LOW). Katakana/ Alphanumeric/ Symbol titling. Random, all repeat, 1 repeat play modes.

Included Accessories: Backlit LCD remote, headphones, LiIon rechargeable, AC adapter, AA case, carrying case.

Mis-features: No date/time stamp during recording. Be aware that when recording from the mic input and you adjust the recording level, a small 'glitch' (a few millisecs silence) will be recorded where the level drops from MIC 'H' to MIC 'L' (position 20 on the 0 - 30 level scale). -Graham Baker

TOC Undo: TOC Undo with the Kenwood DMC-J7R is very simple: Remove the battery/unplug the power supply without turning the unit off. When powered up again, it forgets that there are unwritten TOC changes. -Stefan Werner

Problems: There have been reports on MD-L of Sharp MD-MS701/702 units malfunctioning, displaying intermittent "UTOC Error" messages with damaged/irrecoverable recordings as a result. A user ([email protected]) advises:

1. It is important not to do an auto calibration in service mode without a "tdys1" (sony) testing MD or equivalent (Teac). This will definetly cause more problems!
2. Unit should be returned immediately when the first UTOC errors appear, it is a bad sign! It makes no sense to wait until the warranty has expired.

Accessories: Sharp seems to have sold the MD-MS702 outside of Japan without the external AA cell case. It's available though from Planet Minidisc and Minidisco.

Links:

• Sharp's Japanese information.
• Sharp's English page for these portables.
• Sharp Canada's page for the unit.
• Nic Boyde's snapshots of the MS701, MS702, Pioneer PMD-R3 and and the Kenwood DMC-J7R.
• A user's review of the Sharp MD-MS701.
• Matthew Brock compares the Sony MZ-R50 and Sharp MD-MS701.
• An MD user has made a page for the Sharp MD-MS702.
• John Beale has measured the SNR of the MD-MS702 and found it to be 81dB.
• Hannes Rohde has done a little experiment with the mic synchro start feature.
• MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.
• Peter Wood has made a nice Sharp MD-MS7xx page.
• A user submits this unit's EEPROM settings.
• Ian Horsey illustrates the Sharp MD-MS701 disassembly procedure.
• A user comments that he repaired his MD-MS701 by using Horsey's procedure.
• 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. Output: Line: 300mV (-12dB) (50Kohms). Headphones: 10mW+10mW (32ohms). Input: Mic H: 0.25mV 10kOhms. Mic L: 2.5mV 10kOhms. Line: 100mV 20kOhms.

Reviews:

User Manuals: MD-MS701, HTML

Service Manual: MD-MS701

Features: Sharp ATRAC 4. Slot in design. Digital and Mic Synchro start recording (has Hi/Lo selector for mic synchro start threshold), Double speed playback, Time Auto Mark function (track mark at 3, 5 or 10 min. interval), Auto time stamping, Sample rate converter, Stereo/mono recording. Autoplay on disc insertion. With car adapter, resumes from start of song when car is started. Manually adjustable gain level can be changed during recording. Up to 100 characters per track and disc title may be entered, totaling up to 1700 characters per disc. Defeatable beep (hold bass boost button). "Moji Stamp" feature copies title and song names of one MD onto another, as follows: after dubbing MD->MD (analog, or digitally if permitted), original disc is placed in the MS200 to read and store the name data, duplicated disc is subsequently inserted and the stored names written to it from the MS200's memory. Industry's longest continuous recording time, on rechargeable (AD-MS10BT) (as of intro date). Ext power: AC adapter:5.0v, Dry cell case: 6.0v, Car adapter: 4.5v. The MS200 comes with one lithium ion battery and a LCD-less remote control (AD-MS20RM). Dry Cell case (AD-MS10BC) and LCD remote control sold separately (both AD-ST60RM and AD-SS70RM can be used). Pioneer and Kenwood models come with LCD remote that includes a ``play mode'' button setting Random, Repeat and Repeat 1.

Little known modes: P-save mode, stores less music in the shock-proof memory. To toggle it on/off, hold the ``Display'' button for 2 seconds when the unit is stopped. A-play mode, automatically goes into play mode when a disc is inserted. Hold the ``Mode/Ins'' button for 2 seconds when the unit is stopped.

Note: No AGC (automatic gain control) recording. The battery life is 9.5h (PB) when "auto Power Save" mode is ON. In this mode, the memory saves only 5 sec of data. If you turn OFF this "auto Power Save" mode, the memory saves 10 sec of data (which is the ordinary amount for other portables), and the battery life gets 20% shorter (==7.6h), according to the manual.

Mis-features: No "remaining track time" display.

Problems: Japanese domestic units have trouble charging on North American 120VAC house current.

Parts: Unit's DAC chip reported to be made by AKM semiconductor.

Links: Sharp's comprehensive summary page. A scan of all its surfaces. Conrad Sanderson's Sharp MS200 pages (and a subpage). The German Stereo magazine and a user compare the MZ-R30 and the Sharp MD-MS200. Emanuel Borsboom has a table comparing the Sony MZ-R30 and Sharp MD-MS200. Steven Smith has done a little bench testing of the unit. MiniDiscussion has collected user reviews for this unit.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-MS200

Service Manual: MD-MS200

Features: Sharp ATRAC 3. "slot-in" (non-clamshell) disc insert/eject [easier to manage when you're on the go], stereo/mono recording, track move/ divide/ combine/ erase, random play, sound-synchro recording [starts recording when audio appears on the input, automatically truncates between track silence exceeding 4 seconds], auto marker, remote on headphone cord (volume, track select/position, stop/ pause/ play, bass boost), katakana/roman alphabet input/display. Line out uses the headphone connector. Unit available in black or silver. Comes with: headphones, remote control, lithium ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter, analog line cord, carrying case. Playback time 4.5 hours, recording 3.5. Recording time about 12 hours with separately available battery case (AD-MS10BC)

Comparison: with Sony MZ-R3 (showing features unique to each): Sharp MD-MS100 Defeatable beep sound. Ability to change recording level whilst recording. Standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Loud!! Uses 5V adapter. Combined headphone/line-out jack (though output impedance is adjusted to match the load). Calibrated level meter in dB. Suppl. acessories: headphones, rechargeable Lithium battery, power adapter, analog cable, carrying bag, remote control. Sony MZ-R3 Date/time stamps on recordings. Automatic gain control. Uses 4.5V adapter. Separate outputs for headphone and line-out. Suppl. acessories: headphones, power adapter, analog cable, carrying bag, remote control.

Problems: Japanese domestic units have trouble charging on North American 120VAC house current.

Links: Sharp press release. Sharp Japan Spec sheet (in English). Sharp Japan page for this unit, including a cute animation of the "Slot-in" design.

Reviews:

Features: Sharp ATRAC 2. Track/disc titling. Track delete move, join, divide. Sampling rate converter, st/mono recording. 1 bit AD and DA. Defeatable beep (hold bass boost button). Nearly identical in features to the Sharp MD-M20 (the MD-M20 kit included the AD-M20BC 6AA cell case as standard). Accessories: AD-M20BC 6AA cell case, AD-M20CK car mount kit (¥13,000, includes base mounting unit, car power cord, cassette adapter, 2 velcro strips. Mounts on center console). Battery: AD-M20BT Lithium Ion rechargeable (¥5000).

Links: User's review and comparison with MZ-R3.

Specs: Headphone jack supplies 10mW+10mW into 16ohm load, or 275mV line level (@-12dB) into 50kohm load.

Reviews:

User Manual: MD-M25

Features: First Sharp recorder. Sharp ATRAC 1. Full editing and titling functions. 10 second shock memory. Rechargeable 3.6V Li-Ion cell, recharge time 1.5 hours. Battery life: continuous playback: 2.5 hr, continuous record (monitor volume at zero): 2 hours. No AGC (manual recording level only). Backup battery pack (4 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 3/4 inches) holds 6 AA batteries, pack snaps onto the back of the unit. 50-level recording meter.

Quick-Charge Trick: Purchase a Recoton DC adaptor with voltage selector ranging from 3V to 12V from Sears, and set it to 7.5 volts. The unit will now charge in 20-30 minutes with no damage done. I've been doing this for months and battery life has not suffered at all. -misfit809

Links: A user has several photos of the Kenwood DMC-A7R clone.

Specs: Headphone amp: 8mW + 8mW, 0.2% THD. Freq resp.: 20-20kHz +/-3dB. 1 bit A/D and D/A. 4.5 DC input.

Reviews: