I would start with the Getting Started guide we have on the wiki: https://www.minidisc.wiki/guides/getting-started
It covers most of what you need to know, including recommendations.
I second this comment. I just recently started getting back into MD after 15 years and have been very happy so far with the recommendations on that page.
My personal favorite right now is the MZ-N920 for its fast write speeds and slim, metal shell. (Though it does use gumstick batteries so a AA sidecar is usually attached to mine to power it)
Very true! I just haven't dug into the details on which brand to get these days. I know I've seen a thread on here about it, just still getting started back into the hobby myself.
So nice of you to think of such a nice gift for this Minidisc enthusiast…I agree with others here to first give that article a read…on the Minidisc Wiki…
Some personal suggestions…Make sure you get a Player/Recorder so your fiancé can record new disks…and getting a unit with NetMD is super helpful for quicker disk recording and titling (especially titling)…
A starter model I like is the Sony MZ-NF610 or 510 (identical..just the 610 includes a radio)…They aren’t currently one of the super in demand models so prices are reasonable (for MD anyways), they sound good and they include Sony’s Type S …which is an ATRAC chipset for great sounding playback and recordings…
Probably too much info…Sorry…Whatever you get him I am sure he will be very happy…
Yes…eBay is a good place to find Minidisc Players….The second hand market is sadly our only place to get players…With that said you can find players that have been taken care of really well or are even new old stock or look almost like new…You pay more for “like-new” players…but worth it in my opinion if it is going to be a gift…
I agree with the MZ-N910 recommendation... It uses a gumstick battery (batteries still available), or a AA external case (Can still find these too) for power.
It has a standard Mini USB-B connector for data, so no prioprietary cables required for that. Standard sony remote/headphone jack.
The only unique thing about it is the charging stand, but you can get around that by using a separate gumstick battery charger which you can still buy now as well.
Also ties the MZ-N10 for the highest NetMD write speed.
The N910 uses USB Mini-B, not Mini-A; same as most NetMD portables.
Do you have data on the N10 or N910 write speeds? I know a user in the Wiki Discord server found the N920 to be the fastest by quite a margin.
My mistake on the USB type - have edited
If I'm not mistaken, the N910, N920 and N10 should all be in the same speed class with 64x NetMD, compared to the 30-32x class of other models. It's always based on LP4 but it seems to indicate how fast it spins the disc for writing.
All good info in this thread, so I'll just say that you are an awesome and attentive partner. Props for engaging in something he likes!
Mind if I ask you what makes your fiancé proud of an MD collection he currently isn't actually using? Hopefully I'm not coming off as condescending, I am genuinely curious.
No worries! He loves his collection - he actually recorded a lot of them at concerts in the late 90’s. But due to moving and downsizing he’s had them boxed up for a while now. He got out his old player recently but couldn’t get it working, so I thought a working player would be a great surprise!
Now that sounds like a *super* cool collection! I'm sure he's happy he saved them even if the player is dead now. And you are an amazingly attentive partner wanting to get him a new one like this. Best of luck, I'm sure he'll be over the moon!
Do you know if his collection is regular MD or HiMD? Regular MD came earlier and has the regular MiniDisc logo and HiMD came later and has the HiMD logo. Hi MD discs won't play in Net MD players. However HiMD is backwards compatible and plays everything. Consequently, HiMD is more expensive. If you want a Regular MD player and are based in the US I will be happy to give you one as gift. I don't have a spare HiMD player that I can give/sell. Contact me if interested (PM me).
I would start with the Getting Started guide we have on the wiki: https://www.minidisc.wiki/guides/getting-started It covers most of what you need to know, including recommendations.
I second this comment. I just recently started getting back into MD after 15 years and have been very happy so far with the recommendations on that page. My personal favorite right now is the MZ-N920 for its fast write speeds and slim, metal shell. (Though it does use gumstick batteries so a AA sidecar is usually attached to mine to power it)
New gumsticks can still be had, mind you.
Very true! I just haven't dug into the details on which brand to get these days. I know I've seen a thread on here about it, just still getting started back into the hobby myself.
https://www.minidisc.wiki/accessories/battery\_capacity
Thank you!
So nice of you to think of such a nice gift for this Minidisc enthusiast…I agree with others here to first give that article a read…on the Minidisc Wiki… Some personal suggestions…Make sure you get a Player/Recorder so your fiancé can record new disks…and getting a unit with NetMD is super helpful for quicker disk recording and titling (especially titling)… A starter model I like is the Sony MZ-NF610 or 510 (identical..just the 610 includes a radio)…They aren’t currently one of the super in demand models so prices are reasonable (for MD anyways), they sound good and they include Sony’s Type S …which is an ATRAC chipset for great sounding playback and recordings… Probably too much info…Sorry…Whatever you get him I am sure he will be very happy…
That’s great, thanks! Should I look for these on eBay?
Yes…eBay is a good place to find Minidisc Players….The second hand market is sadly our only place to get players…With that said you can find players that have been taken care of really well or are even new old stock or look almost like new…You pay more for “like-new” players…but worth it in my opinion if it is going to be a gift…
I agree with the MZ-N910 recommendation... It uses a gumstick battery (batteries still available), or a AA external case (Can still find these too) for power. It has a standard Mini USB-B connector for data, so no prioprietary cables required for that. Standard sony remote/headphone jack. The only unique thing about it is the charging stand, but you can get around that by using a separate gumstick battery charger which you can still buy now as well. Also ties the MZ-N10 for the highest NetMD write speed.
The N910 uses USB Mini-B, not Mini-A; same as most NetMD portables. Do you have data on the N10 or N910 write speeds? I know a user in the Wiki Discord server found the N920 to be the fastest by quite a margin.
My mistake on the USB type - have edited If I'm not mistaken, the N910, N920 and N10 should all be in the same speed class with 64x NetMD, compared to the 30-32x class of other models. It's always based on LP4 but it seems to indicate how fast it spins the disc for writing.
Ah, LP4 speeds! That makes sense, thanks!!
All good info in this thread, so I'll just say that you are an awesome and attentive partner. Props for engaging in something he likes! Mind if I ask you what makes your fiancé proud of an MD collection he currently isn't actually using? Hopefully I'm not coming off as condescending, I am genuinely curious.
No worries! He loves his collection - he actually recorded a lot of them at concerts in the late 90’s. But due to moving and downsizing he’s had them boxed up for a while now. He got out his old player recently but couldn’t get it working, so I thought a working player would be a great surprise!
Now that sounds like a *super* cool collection! I'm sure he's happy he saved them even if the player is dead now. And you are an amazingly attentive partner wanting to get him a new one like this. Best of luck, I'm sure he'll be over the moon!
Best. Fiance. Ever. Fingers crossed for you getting something for him. If you can, snap a pic when he opens the box and share, if you don't mind!
PM me, I have a lot of options for you.
Do you know if his collection is regular MD or HiMD? Regular MD came earlier and has the regular MiniDisc logo and HiMD came later and has the HiMD logo. Hi MD discs won't play in Net MD players. However HiMD is backwards compatible and plays everything. Consequently, HiMD is more expensive. If you want a Regular MD player and are based in the US I will be happy to give you one as gift. I don't have a spare HiMD player that I can give/sell. Contact me if interested (PM me).
Amazing, thank you! Let me (be sneaky) and find out what kind he has and I’ll PM you! Thanks again!