Sony MDS-JE520 MiniDisc Player-Recorder, "Mini-Wha!?"

The "format wars" were upon us in the 1990s!  Purveyors of digital media, and the equipment necessary to play and record digital media, were in a frenzy to develop the next best format.  The CD was a game-changer, no doubt.  The accuracy of the signal, the virtually zero harmonic distortion, and the size of the format were ultra-appealing to the mass consumer.  But the CD was not without flaws.  Initially, recording capabilities were limited. And the discs themselves could be victim to damage from heat, UV exposure, cracks and scratches.  

The search was on for a better format.  DAT and DCC were magnetic tape formats that were adapted to digital audio use after proving themselves in the computing world.  But the MiniDisc, developed by Sony, set out to be the durable hybrid offspring of the original CD.  The MiniDisc offered a magneto-optical format in a compact, and protected, enclosure.  

To go along with the media, Sony developed an entire line of MD players and recorders, the MDS-JE520 we have here slotted right into he middle of the MD lineup.  The 520s PCM recording and playback functionality were powered by a well-constructed 20-bit Delta-Sigma DAC circuit. Using Sony's proprietary ATRAC encoding, the signal quality was as good and sometimes considered better than the original CD counterparts. Although not considered "exact" copies of the original due to the encoding process, the MD versions were convincing. 

This unit operates flawlessly.  Despite a few scratches to the top case, it looks great as well. Functionality is easy and remote controls and owner's manuals are found online all the time.  

Come get yourself a nice little piece of audio history. 

$149 (plus applicable shipping and/or MA sales tax)