Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.13mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 0.8 x 3.2 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00001YVFJ
• Item model number: MZ-R55
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This is the world's smallest portable MiniDisc player, featuring a powerful digital Mega Bass sound system with three-position switch, the Automatic Volume Limiter System (AVLS), and multiple playback modes (normal, repeat track/repeat all, and shuffle).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reality Check, November 29, 1999

By 

That Guy (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder (Electronics)

I've read the other comments on this unit, and I have to say that they don't provide you prospective buyers with a very accurate view. I've used the Sony MZ-R55, owned a Sony MZ-R50, and own an Aiwa AM-F70 so I can easily compare this unit to others. The MZ-R55 may currently be the smallest unit in the US, but that's really all it is; what you do have is no battery life (4hrs) and a lack of features (more on that later). The Sony MZ0-R50 may have been large but at least it ran for more than twice the time of the R55, and the Aiwa AM-F70, may be slightly larger than the R55, but fully loaded it works for a whopping 30hrs. Now for the (lack of) features...no jog dial (very useful for titiling), no progammable play, and no backlighting on the unit itself. I'm sorry to bash this unit so badly, but those are the facts. On the upside, it is currently the smallest portable MD player/recorder (until something like March when the Sony MZ-R90 comes to the US) and hey, its made by Sony!

P.S. Both the Aiwa and the R50 have jog dials and longer play time. The Aiwa also has main unit backlighting (not only on the remote), and programmable play (true, this feature is somewhat useless on an MD). And guess what? Both players/recorders are much cheaper than the Sony.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the one to get, May 24, 2000

By 

Mary Jo Sminkey "dog trainer and web programmer" (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder (Electronics)

So, you're interested in a Minidisc, eh? Good choice! Minidiscs are just great, beat the pants off CDs and MP3 for portable music. After learning to transfer MP3s to a Minidisc, I'll never go back again, I have seen the light!

Now, about this particular player. The size is wonderful, if you have had one of the larger players, you just won't believe the size of this. It is small and light and wonderful to carry around. However, as others have mentioned, battery life sucks. There really are better choices. I personally went with the MZ-R90, and it is superb. Tiny, tiny recorder/player with excellent battery life and great features. Unfortunately, Amazon.com does not carry it yet, but there definitely are places you can get them now with a US warranty. Check around.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Audiophiles, this is the only unit that will due., October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder (Electronics)

I have had 3 different sony mini-disc portables.

If you are going to buy only 1 unit ( I have a full deck and this portable ) you'll be frustrated with anything less than this one. That's because the control placement for editing are well designed.

If you have two units ( 1 deck and 1 portable ) you should have this as part of you portable. I bought the sony bundle first ( the deck and portable unit ). The problem here is you can't record or edit with the portable. I real bummer if you go over to your friends place and hear something you've gotta have. Not to mention if you need to record a meeting or a lecture, you'll be out of luck if you've bought the sony bundle.

I run with this unit and it will skip only about 3 times over 8 miles of terrain.

The other nice thing about this is it small. Fits in you shirt pocket. If you'll be editing while your jogging like I do, the add on battery pack that holds an additional 2 AA is a nice feature.