REVIEW: MDS-E10 Pro Deck

[newwave8]

Sony MDS-E10 Pro Deck: Does It Get Any Better?

I can’t imagine how it can. This gem of a machine (which I am continuously tagging “Pro Deck” to the end of, as to not confuse it with the similarly titled “E10” portable unit) truly does produce the ultimate MiniDisc experience. So much so, that DirecTV keeps them on hand for their own production work.

Don’t let the “pro” title fool you; this deck should not be thought of being exclusive to professionals, but, rather, a top of the line consumer deck, as well. Yes, it sounds that amazing hooked up to a hi-fi.

Most of the extra features (Auto Cue, Vari Speed) really are tailored to the needs of those working in production. However, sound quality should be what it’s about, and seeing as how top of the line decks are mainly found within the Asian and European market, this should be labeled *the* one for American customers.

The optical, coaxial, and analog inputs and outputs should fulfill all consumer and professional needs. Indeed, it’s perfect for me: I use the coaxial connections to go to and from my TASCAM CD-RW 4U, the optical connections to go from my Mac (for cleaning up records) and to my Sharp MT200 MD portable recorder (for MD copies). Perfect.

So what can I tell you about the sound? It has to be heard to be believed. Those dedicated MiniDisc followers have had it good over the years, but they all must hear how much the MDS E-10 adds to the MiniDisc experience. Talk about shutting up the MiniDisc scoffers!! Have them turn their backs and play a MiniDisc on this beauty: They’ll never believe it was MD, and if they say they hear limitations then they’re lying! The parts used on this deck should be found in every piece of MiniDisc equipment; there would be nothing for the “anti-Minis” to complain about ever again.

What about MDs that were recorded on other equipment? Well, up until now, I had been making copies of CDs into the “optical in” on my Sharp MT200 portable. After playing them on the MDS-E10 I couldn’t even tell---this deck brought even more life into a disc that had already sounded fantastic. That’s a relief for me, because I didn’t want to have to re-record everything. Never fear: the MDS-E10 *will* have your MiniDiscs sounding fuller than ever.

Here’s a final run-down of the pros and cons:

What I love about the MDS-E10: THE SOUND QUALITY!!!..., keyboard input (Man, does THAT make my life easier!), Optical, Coaxial and Analog inputs and outputs, Headphone Jack (perfect for monitoring the tweaking of EQ and restoration plugins when recording vinyl), all the great things that we have already grown to love about MiniDiscs and their equipment, (the production features do not apply to me, so I won’t delve into them in this review)...

What’s Missing: The ability to let each track title continuously scroll while playing (this feature seems to be missing on all decks. Why? It’s not a huge deal, but it’s a little cumbersome to constantly have to hit “scroll” on the remote to see the title of a song that has too many characters to display at a time); when hitting the fader button while recording, it’s always set to 5 seconds. That’s a bit of a hassle, because you need to go the SF edit menu after recording to do a fade with a different increment of time.

Well, that’s about it for now, as I need to go back to letting the Sony MDS-E10 Pro Deck blow my mind some more.

Thanks for taking the time to read this review. Let’s all continue to think positively: “MiniDisc WILL catch on with the masses!” If we all believe it long enough, it can happen...

[newwave8]

I'll post pictures if someone can tell me how...

I can't figure it out...

(I'll replace this post by editing and inserting pictures once I learn how...)

[mclaren20]

{IMG} the link {/IMG}



replace { and } with [ and ]

[Mr Coffea]

www.iupload.com

or

www.upload.ipaska.com

[Ziggy]

Moving to comparisons and reviews.

[newwave8]

Originally posted by mclaren20
{IMG} the link {/IMG}



replace { and } with [ and ]

I'm sorry, I still don't get it. You mean I have to have a web site where these pictures are posted? I don't want to do that. I've seen people put pictures right in the message field...how do I do that? (Sorry for the ignorance)

[Mystyler]

Yes, unfortunately you need to have the pictures hosted before you can insert them into your posts...

You know what, I think I should start saving for this deck. It would fit just perfectly under the DVD player.

[newwave8]

Originally posted by Mystyler
Yes, unfortunately you need to have the pictures hosted before you can insert them into your posts...

Ah, well, the pictures will have to wait.

Originally posted by Mystyler
You know what, I think I should start saving for this deck. It would fit just perfectly under the DVD player.

Do it! The deck has legs, so it doesn't have to be racked; it would fit perfectly.

[Superbaldguy]

Nice review.

As much as I love my portables (2 recorders, 2 players), there's something about plugging in my ATH-A900's into my home system, popping a disc into my MXD-D5C, and off to the races. Honestly, I cannot tell the difference between an SP recording and the original CD; in fact, the MiniDisc recording seems to have a certain 'sparkle,' due to the ATRAC encoding.

Glad you like your MDS-E10.

[Mystyler]

Well, it'll take me a few years to save up, newwave8. By then Tascam would have released the MD9000 and Sony the E18...