a cool system
Written: Sep 08 '00 (Updated Sep 08 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: 5 md/cd changer, built in timer recording
Cons: discontinued model, no optical inputs/outputs
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| sector001's Full Review: Sony DHC MD555 Stereo Mini System |
The Sony DHC-MD555 is essentially a mini Hi-Fi component system consisting of an am/fm stereo tuner, a 5 Minidisc changer along with a 5 CD changer.
The reason why I wanted to get this mini system is because I am a big fan of the minidisc. I have a portable player and a home recording deck. The minidisc format allows you to record and re-record up to a 1000 times without any sound degradation.
I listen to this radio program in the early mornings (z100) WHTZ-FM 100.3fm on the dial in New York City. Between the hours of 5am and 10am. And I had wanted to listen to the entire program but unfortunately I have to work and they don't allow me to listen to the radio at the office. The program ends at 10am and it is about a 4 hour long program. I listen to the first half of the program and then record the second half.
This unit has a built in timer that allows you to program it just like you would on a VCR. It has a 5 event timer, meaning it allows you to program up to 5 events--just like a VCR. Now I take the recorded program on the road with me and listen to it during lunch and during those long train rides.
You can also make recordings of your favorite cd’s, you can compile your favorite tracks or record the entire cd with a single touch of a button. You can also label the tracks onto the MD and CD. If the CD were already labeled, it would automatically be labeled onto the MD, when you make a recording. (The tracks title). The minidisc format also lets you change the tracks in any order. Or you can delete a track or the entire MD, so that you can reuse it.
The CD changer has conviences like disc exchange, meaning you can exchange 4 discs while the 5th is still playing. This is also true for the minidisc; you can manually exchange 4 discs while the 5th is still playing.
You can also hook up your portable MD walkman to record from MD to MD via a hook up cable, which is included with the system. Unfortunately, my MD walkman is only a player, not a recorder, and it’s not compatible with this feature. It is only compatible with some of Sony’s portable MD players/recorders.
Now for some bad points about this system:
The unit has only one recording MD, meaning you can’t record from MD to MD, you can only record from MD to CD, tuner to MD or other audio sources. The unit also doesn’t have any digital optical inputs or outputs. It only has regular analog inputs.
The remote control is kind of crappy too. It only has the basic functions like play, stop, on, off, fastforward, rewind. Volume Up Down. Doesn’t have direct access to the CD’s or MD’s track. You have to press the fast forward button. The CD player’s platter is also kind of flimsy, it is thin. I guess it’s because of the small size of the unit, Sony has limited the thickness of the platter. So I would be careful when handling the CD platter.
Other than these minor flaws, it is a well-designed system. The sound is quite good. Anyone who is looking into digital recording should look into the minidisc format. I highly recommend it. Once you get into it, you can’t live without it. It is the easiest and most versatile digital recording format that I have ever used.
One final word: You may have trouble locating this system because Sony has discontinued making this model. However it is still available from crutchfield.com for $349. (Please read my review of crutchfield).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sector001
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Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 0 members
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