Price Paid:  $213.00 from unbeatable.co.uk

Summary:
Actually own the MDS-JB980. The same but with NetMD. The player gives a warm playback and can handle most things i have tried with ease.

Strengths:
Good top end that mixes nicely with the pronounced but not overinvolved bass. Build quality is brilliant

Weaknesses:
Recordings are pants using MDLP obviously.
The netMD stuff relevent to the 980 is a bit shoddy also.

Similar Products Used:
MZR-91 Portable

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
Everything the reviewers say about the 940 is true, this is probably the best value MiniDisc deck out there. I was lucky enough to get one off a clearance table for $150 US! I have three MD decks and this one sets the standard. The A/D converters are at the level of my pro equipment, and the D/A is some of the best you'll find in this price range. Digital dubs of live classical recordings from an HHB CRD-830 are flawless. I use MD as backup to live recordings, and this deck shows why.

Strengths:
Better high freq. resolution than lower end units. Rock-solid construction. Superior power supply makes a difference in the analog signal chain. Retains ease-of-use with fabulous sound quality.

Weaknesses:
None at this price. I haven't heard the "high-end" MD decks from Denon and Sony, but they would have to work hard to surpass this unit.

Similar Products Used:
MDS-JE510, MDS-JE630, MDS-JE330, MZ-R37, MZ-N505, HHB CDR-830 Pro CD-R, Fostex VF80 44.1/16bit HD recorder

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Very nice machine with easy sound. I am an owner of the MDS-JB930S also, and after purchasing the unit, I made lots of tests between these units. The new MDS-940 records -digital- very well, and you cannot practically see any difference from the originals. I tried lots of recordings and the deck seems to record very well. But I think the 930 is slightly better at digital recording. I can give 9.5/10 points for the 930 at digital recording, and 9/10 for the 940.

Strengths:
Very nice recordings.

Weaknesses:
MDLP is not so good. You can feel the compression at high frequencies (very hars), and slightly punchless bass.

Similar Products Used:
MDS-JB930S

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Sony Chile (www.sony

Summary:
Exelente producto del fabricante japonés. Además de su exelente sonido, permite utilizarlo como convertidor D-A y mejorar el sonido de CD players de nivel basico-medio (mejoré el sonido de mi Marantz CD-67 SE). Gran resolución en la entrada análoga (he rescatado muchas grabaciones antiguas hechas en cintas de video stereo y estas suenan con gran claridad al ser traspasadas a minidisc)Las características operacionales son un disfrute (entrada de teclado, edición, borrado, etc.)propias de este formato digital. Los ajustes digitales del sonido funcionan sutilmente, pero son perceptibles (en especial el ajuste Nº3, que confiere un carácter "análogo" al sonido) En resumen adquirí tres máquinas de gran calidad por el precio de una: grabador digital de minidiscos para uso en la casa, en mi automóvil y en el trabajo (player portátil), convertidor digital-análogo, y "preamplificador" análogo.

Strengths:
Sonido: claridad, balance tonal, transparencia (para su precio y formato)
Calidad de los convertidores A-D
Resolución en la entrada análoga
Calidad de construcción

Weaknesses:
Ninguna para su precio y formato digital

Similar Products Used:
Grabadores de discos compactos de computador (producto similar por ser formato digital)

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Richersounds

Summary:
Outstands every audio souce in my house, despite the fact that I have 2 Hi-Fi systems (including Denon D-MD 30, 2 times product of the year). Once plugged into my Marantz SR-96, it throws my Panasonic DVD-130 out of the ring immediately. Looks good, and solid build. Look no further if you want to buy the best MD recorder (if you have plenty of cash then consider the ES series, but you can't go far).

Strengths:
Sound, recording quality. Looks (who cares if the quality is already excellent?)

Weaknesses:
Takes time to scan and controling the machine without a remote is pain in the arse. Needs a keyboard if you want to enter the song names

Similar Products Used:
Sony ES-555 MD player