Price Paid:  $200.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
I had a Sharp MiniDisc, but unfortunately, all the jacks on it died. This MiniDisc is alright, but has some serious flaws which are addressed below.

Strengths:
Reliability and you have lots of space to record onto.

Weaknesses:
Personally, after using this for 2 years I think this MiniDisc is weaker than it is stronger. I went from using a MiniDisc built like a tank to this, which I feel like I could break it my hand. The software is cheap and died very quickly (I had been recording analog, and had used the USB once or twice then it stopped working), the design *looks* good, but it's a very bad idea. The play, stop and next/back functions are on one big round button which is very picky, if you do not push the desired button, like for the next track for example it will go backwards, stop, etc. Lately the worst has been it cuts the track into two...by simply trying to go back to the track I was just on! They should really ask if you want to actually make that edit, seeing as tons of my tracks are now in bits in pieces because the thing cuts them up due to finicky controls. I don't understand the point of the record over current material function, that is utter crap, no matter what I did it wouldn't work, it just told me "sorry" for one of the modes the manual told me to use and end search never worked. Sony should consider making it quality over looks.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from sony store

Summary:
this little baby is at first sight awesome. i am a poor (as in not rich) music lover, and appreciate good sound, and this has it (although understandibly in a not very powerful form). i originally wanted a jukebox or ipod, but the aforementioned cash problem led me to this. the sound is only good if you keep it on bass level one. stereo quality rips are almost clones of songs in most cases. lp4 is even tolerable if you are desperate for lots of time. lp2 in case you are wondering is better. but: me and my friend both have had problems with the buttons (press skip track forward, it skips back. press stop, it just plays after a second). stand up my brothers, and complain the hell out of this sony bull! i have taken it in twice, and would need an extended warranty to get it replaced, but knowing my friend has the same model, why would i want more of the same? the software bites ass too (crashes on xp). i am only being slightly serious though. sure, it does all of these things, but looking at audioreview, it seems perhaps a replacement might be the answer. so let me just say that if any of you guys have the same problem, post it here so people don't go buying the cheapest md without a fair warning.

Strengths:
let's face it: it's the only thing under $400 that will fit more that 70 songs, doesn't skip, and has an alright interface.

Weaknesses:
my buttons don't work half the time. the software is less stable than alpha releases. it feels cheap, despite it's good design. i wish i had spent more money for a better version.

Similar Products Used:
music superman (oldschool mp3cdplayer) soul (awesome mp3cdplayer) various crappy discmans and walkmans

Price Paid:  $300.00 from The Sony Store

Summary:
I wrote a review on this before..(I think it was under the gold one) Just an update..The software is great! Today I got out of the van and this thing fell out of my pocket and fell hard onto the concrete sidewalk! :O It didn't even skip! It didn't scrathc or anything..it still works great! This thing has quality written all over it!

Strengths:
Stores A Lot Of Music! Great Quality. Sony Name...Everything!

Weaknesses:
None!!

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $149.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
Bought the MZ-N505 cause it was less expensive than buying a cd burner and all the extra gadgets you have to have in order to play the cds. Its easy to import and export the files. Definatly a must have for anyone who loves music and wants it at a great price.

Strengths:
Easy to operate. Can listen to it in your car, at home on your stereo, even in the bathtub if you want to and all you have to buy is an inexpensive convertor.

Weaknesses:
NEEDS MORE COLOR CHOICES!!! Plus the battary life it really bad if it isn't plugged up to the charger your battary will last maybe 4 hours.

Similar Products Used:
None this is my first but definatly won't be my last.

Price Paid:  $129.00 from J and R Music World

Summary:
This unit was fairly inexpensive for what it gives you. I had the MZ-S1 Sports version before. The MZ-N505 unit is actually an upgrade in my mind. So far is has not given me any real concerns. It is easy to operate and has a wide range of uses for the creative operator.

Strengths:
Controls and connection ports are well laid out. I connect a 2 to 1 RCA plug from my stereo pre-amp to the MZ-N505 mini-jack LINE IN. That let's me record from any source connected, including vinyl. Editing out the pops and clicks is a trick, but it can be done by using manual track marks then deleting out the crud. Buttons feel solid and work accurately. Sound in SP mode is good for the most part. Editing funtions are a breeze to work. Unit is very small and very very light. I find it much easier operate and carry around in the gym and out running than the "sports" version.

Weaknesses:
FLIMSY build. The plastic feels and looks very cheap. The eject mechanism sounds like a rusty old spring on some one's gate. No LCD backlite!!!! Use the the pause button when recording different tracks. I found it a pain to get "record" to start up in a hurry.

Similar Products Used:
Sony MZ-S1