Sony MZ-R900 Review

Overall Rating

Absolutely tiny, looks good

Headphones

There is so much good stuff to say about this Minidisc Recorder that I will get the 2 bad points out the way first.
The major problem, which is an absolute disgrace, is the headphones that come with it. For Sony's top of the range MD recorder one expects good head phone at least, nothing ridiculous but what I got was cheap plastic rubbish. I am not a sound expert by any means, just the opposite, but even I felt that these were tinny, it was like listening to music through a 100 year old record player. Luckily I had some other headphones I could use. The other problem which is really pedantic is that when you first get the minidisc recorder you have to alter the record modes so that it no longer records from the start of a minidisc with material already on it.

Now for the compliments, when I got the unit, I couldn't believe how small it is. The same size as an MD case only slightly deeper than 2 cases. It looks absolutely amazing, I went for the metallic blue option which is very stylish I am always stroking it and waving it around. The remote control is silver and really easy to use, it is a bit plasticky but you only notice this when you touch it.
Having MDLP is an absolute godsend with no loss in quality I can fit 2 cd's onto one minidisc and for a minor loss, 4 cd's onto 1 minidisc. This takes ages to label. The controls are really easy to use with the two dials on the main unit & the RC is so easy you could use it in the pitch dark with your hands tied behind your back. Having a backlight on the RC is an excellent feature.

REcording is really easy, so far I have only done this digitally so I am unsure how easy it is to set sound levels on analogue recording.
So far battery life has been very impressive and spares are very easy to come buy. The unit also comes with a case which is a nice idea from Sony. The case is ugly but I think it is nmuch nicer than the black bags that most units come with. i keep the unit in it's case in my pocket so it serves as agood way of protecting it rather than a fashion accesory.
Overall an absolute essential for anyone who likes listening to anything recorded. It is small, light, easy to use.

Members' Comments onThe Stein.'s Review

• Admiral Hoonage. on 5th Jan 2002

  Hmm... most audio fanatics would kill to have a working 100 year old record player..!
  I agree with the headphone thing, I have almost come to expect poor 'phones with decent products, so I now budget for them whenever I buy a new player... Sony could have at least chucked in their nice new silicone 'canal phones'...
  The player is very good though, its just the trivial stuff that is particularly annoying, but no matter.

• Chromate. on 20th Mar 2002

  God I love this thing, but completely agree with the ear phone thing. The ones that come with it are RUBBISH. The sound improves ten fold with a decent set of headphones.

• Blair Pincock. on 10th Mar 2003

  Hey there I got online today to actually see if I could find this individual Mini-Disc player. I was totally amazed to see this site but I have one Question... Where can I buy one? This is the exact model I wanted but I am Having a hard time locating one for a good price. Can someone please let me know if there is one out there that I can buy. My Email is FCJammer@juno.com

• shamzz on 31st Oct 2004

  I recently purchased this md player but I can't seem to work it! even thought it came with instructions i'm still trying to figure it out. The recording is really confusing ahout the whole record before or after a song blah blah...
  I don't know much about this md player but was wondering if someone can tell me if this md player is able to record songs from the computer? or wherther it comes with any software like other md players? I know that it's a great player, it's going to take me a while to get the hang of it...oh yah and does anyone know any sites where i can get more info on it?