Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder

Other products by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.13mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 0.8 x 3.2 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 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)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,045 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  #16 in	Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Minidisc Players & Recorders > Component Players & Recorders
  #32 in	Electronics > Portable Audio & Video > Minidisc Players

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

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).

Product Description
This world's smallest recording MD Walkman combines the superb sound reproduction quality of digital technology and the ease and convenience of MiniDisc recording and playback in a unit virtually as small as a MiniDisc itself. New Smart Remote Control provides editing function including Titling and Move to customize your MiniDiscs and to listen tracks the way you prefer. Backlit LCD on Headphone Remote makes it easy to see the display even in low light, and offers convenient direct access to the unit's major functions. Its Shock Resistant Memory resists bumps or vibrations while the laser scans ahead on the disc and stores 40 seconds of music in memory, for interrupted skip-free playback. NIMH rechargeable battery and charger are supplied to provide greater convenience and saving over replaceable batteries. Character Input for Titling let you create or modify individual track information as the MiniDisc is being recorded. Date and Time Stamp automatically places a date and time marker on each recording for future references. Digital Synchro Recording lets you make digital copies of CDs onto a MiniDisc with synchronized operation that begins recording when digital input signal is received. Sampling Rate Converter allows MiniDisc recording from other digital media having different sampling frequencies, such as DSS and DAT, and automatically converts to MiniDisc Rate. Powerful Digital Mega Bass Sound System with 3 Position switch provides rich, deep bass tones with digital signal processing for virtually inaudible harmonic distortion. Automatic Volume Limiter System (AVLS) maintains volume output below strong signal levels, for listener comfort. High Quality Recording with Digital AGC ensures proper recording levels through Automatic Gain Control to prevent overloading distortion.

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	Christopher Hippolyte (NYC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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 "author of cfwebstore" (Carlisle, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A step down from its predecessor, June 18, 2000

By	Han Chung (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

Junk! Absolute junk!

The MZ-R55 looks and feels great - it fits into just about any tiny pocket! It has a neat remote control with a nice backlit LCD screen. Unfortunately, that's about where it all goes downhill.

Battery life sucks. If you're using the rechargeable chewing gum battery that it comes with, you'll be lucky to get through 2 discs before you hear that awful loud beep telling you that the battery has died ... AGAIN! If you're using the optional 2 x AA alkaline batteries, you might get through about 3 discs. Hell, if you're recording something, don't even bother, if what you're recording is likely to go for more than an hour. Gone are the days when you could play your minidisc for 12 hours straight, as you could with the previous model.

When you hook up the MZ-R55 to your hifi, the sound comes out a lot softer than other music sources. I've tried it with other MD decks, CD players, etc, and they all sound a lot louder than the MZ-R55.

The MZ-R55 doesn't seem to be able to take small vibrations very well. It does alright with big, sudden bumps, but when you've got it seated on the passenger seat in the car and you're going over a slightly bumpy road for a continuous period of time, it'll start to jump, and jump regularly.

Now to the functionality of the MZ-R55. You can't program tracks. It's difficult to edit song titles for your tracks as there's no 'wheel' - you have to rely on the up and down buttons.

Just don't bother with the MZ-R55 - you're better off going for the older or newer model. Size isn't everything - I'd much rather have a bulky MD that plays and plays, rather than a tiny toy who's battery won't last a 2 hour car journey.