Price Paid:  $209.00 from CG Electronics

Summary:
This is the coolest thing I ever bought for my home stereo. I've been into MD since late '93 and this is the apex of the format. And the CD player is just too cool with it's CD text capability and pitch control. Note: when you enter CD text for a non CD text disc, it really remembers it!

In this one box you can dub CDs to MDs, mix CDs and Mic or Line input to make your own mixes. You can record in digital or analog, and if you copy a CD text disc, it copies the text info to the MD.

Remote has full keyboard input, but no pause button. The front display is fun and informative: too many products these days have such tiny or "stripped down" displays.

Strengths:
Absolutely zillions of buttons and knobs, and a big informative display. Excellent operation, CompuLink, CompuLink Text, CD Text, etc.

Weaknesses:
No pause on remote, limited minidisc titling

Similar Products Used:
JVX XM-448 Minidisc

Price Paid:  $279.00

Summary:
This is a marvelous-almost unique in its genre machine. JVC innovated by making this two in one and it is very convenient for people who believe in the Minidisc. The truth is that I don't understand why there still is a resistance to it, but that's another story...

After two years of use of the xu-301, I must say that I have really got a good return on my investment (though I still got it for 200 dollars less than it cost when it first appeared on the market). I have recorded mds from cds, but also from musical programs on tv, on the radio, and I have made several copies from md to md (hooking up another md player through a digital cable, with no loss of quality). Since there is an "in", but also an "out" digital, you can copy FROM the xu-301 without loss of quality. You can of course title all your mds but also your cds (there is an internal memory that recognizes cds you have previously titled each time you play them).

Of course, it has some flaws. The first track copy from cd to md function is useless (who copies ONLY the first track of cds ?). The titling is limited to 32 characters. The clock timer doesn't have real autonomy (each time the energy goes off, it starts blinking), plus the other weaknesses I mention above. I also have to say I had a problem with the unit from the beginning : the TOC was sometimes working, sometimes not. As it got worse, I decided to take it to JVC (25 minutes away from my house). They fixed it, free of charge, and I haven't got more problems with it since (incidentally, a very big five star to the people from JVC at Lawrenceville, Georgia; they really treated me as a customer wants to be treated). It seems however that we might be talking about a misconception, because more than one user has had the same type of problem, and that needs to be fixed. The lesson here is that it is important to make sure post sales services respond, especially for any item over 250 dollars worth. JVC did, in my case...

Strengths:
- The item is practically unique on the market : 2 in 1, you save space !
- It is very convenient and very easy to use when making straight copies from cd to md.
- Made in Japan, which should be reassuring from the quality control point of view.
- Has many extras (wake up timer, random play on cd and md, digital in and out, possibility to record md from cd, mic, or out source with recording level adjustments, possibility to increase or reduce speed of cds playing [plus and minus 12%] and more)

Weaknesses:
- Noisy when cds change.
- Keyboard buttons on remote need to be pressed in a certain way.
- md stops when you finish titling a track you're listening to (on other md players the song continues).
- Only 20 tracks show up on the screen. If your md or cd has more than 20 tracks, it's too bad...
- Operations are a bit slow (cd changer, md loading)
- Compulink only works if your other items are JVC.
- No output level control for headphones.
- No pause button on remote...

Similar Products Used:
JVC xm 242, Somy mds je 330, Sony mrz 70, Sony mrz 30

Price Paid:  $400.00 from J&R Music World

Summary:
This is a question for users of this unit. The unit has trouble recognizing some blank minidiscs. Any of you had similar problems? Do you know which brand of minidisc never fails? Thank You.

Strengths:
Multiple CD to MiniDisc dubbing/recording. Great for music type mixes and you can dub a CD and then delete the songs that you dont like, this way you don't damage the original CD pattern. Also, you can mix different sources like line+CD or microphone+line and CD's.

Weaknesses:
Some trouble recognizing blank MiniDisc.

Summary:
Once you get hooked on a combination deck like this, I think it's going to be tough to go back to separates. I'm selling mine soon(I just got similar Pioneer W739 CD Rec.), but that's because I don't use MDs anymore.

If you are MD user and looking to buy a recording deck, strongly consider this one. Because the CD changer is built in with the MD recorder already, you don't have to connect & then operate two separate decks. Less wiring & automated dubbing will make it so much easier. Also, if your CD already has title & track text, it will automatically transfer over to the MD you are dubbing on to.

My deck is rufurbished, but it's been perfectly reliable. Only major complaint I have is the track programming for CD-MD dubbing. JVC's own programming is supposed to be easier to program, but is simply annoying. It also require more time & steps to dub.

If you can get it for reasonable price, and if you are into MDs, this mini MD recording studio is a great choice.

Strengths:
CD changer & MD recorder built in one deck. Great sound both CD & MD. Disc Exchange.

Weaknesses:
The program mode for dubbing.

Similar Products Used:
Sony MDS-JE520 & 320

Summary:
I love this thing in my house: clear sound , a lot of mixes on MD since I got it...I even got some music from Europe that I couln't buy here , in USA, but my friends have CD's. Couldn't record on tape, but did it with pleasure on MD...
This JVC very easy to use, and as someone here says before, the remote is good.....

Strengths:
Since I got it I never use my tape recorder... Very good thing for home.... I also got one portable, so can hook it up in a car....next my car I'm goona get MD for car...

Weaknesses:
name -JVC.. never liked it... got this one because of good deal - about $170... I like my JVC, but don't like a name anyway..... :-)

Similar Products Used:
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