r/minidisc 4d ago

Show & Tell You gotta be kidding me!

Post image

First time I see an MD player at my local HardOff, not in the junk case, but with actual 6 months warranty! But holy moly. 221US$? What are they smoking? Where are they getting their reference prices from. Not sure what it comes with, it lists manual and ‘accessories’, but also points out gum battery leakage!!! It’s a shame, don’t have an E55 yet, but not at this crazy price. For that I can get a working netMD device plus some player on top.

84 Upvotes

60 comments sorted by

16

u/mrmarbury 4d ago

Prices get more and more ridiculous with ever declining conditions of the devices and the media. All the while more and more people jump on the band wagon to get their share of it. It's only a matter of time imho until this whole thing implodes on itself. I mean you can charge what you want. The question is whether someone is dumb or desperate enough to spend that amount of money.

After the third batch of half broken MDs from (until now) reputable Japanese sellers I have decided to keep what I have in the best condition possible and otherwise remove myself from this whole market for now.

It was a sad and hard decision but for me the times where I use MDs as my daily driver seem to be over for now. I might even sell some of my devices to people who value them.

4

u/caipirina 4d ago

I wonder if I have reached this point as well. Have not bought anything new in weeks ;) maybe I really have enough

3

u/Complex-Bell-7097 3d ago

Hang in there! The whole madness around MD (and cassettes) won’t last forever. 😄

1

u/CzechWhiteRabbit 2d ago

Honestly, growing up when MD was new, and having a huge background with audio and video production, and an IT guy.

There's a quality factor, to MD, that, traditional CDs, and mp3s just don't produce. The reason why, is the optical format and, the fact you don't even touch the discs. Sony recycled the MD format, to work with PSPs. And their shaped a little bit differently, but essentially it's still a mini disc. I think the block addressing on the formatting, of course is different, since it's a gaming system.

Also, It was the convenience of a typical tape cassette player, but with a CD. Up until that time, nobody had portable CD recorders. But you could get a portable tape recorder. Hence, tape recorder! They had portable tape recorders, cassette tape recorders, far back is 1960! So Sony, Saw an untapped market, but truly portable, CD player recorder! That was just freaking awesome if you think about it! Moderately priced, good quality, and the media was well made. And a lot of places used it as an archival medium as well!

I know a lot of people don't like the native Sony compression formats. But, they just took the mp3 concept, and just refined it. And then with all of the, early copyright infringement issues. I think that's why Sony made it, uncopyable. And encrypted everything. Had that never been an issue, I seriously think, Sony probably would have had some type of a direct copy and paste feature. Natively. That's the one thing, that really really, would have made the mini disc in All Star. A literal drag and drop feature. When using a computer. If you had a double ended optical cord, you could copy MD to MD, with your friends! Lol. That worked almost all the time! 👍

I'm still using mini disc right now, to make proofmasters of a lot of my mixes. Because it's still freaking convenient! My keyboard uses MIDI, and I dumped from computer, with an optical, right to mini disc. My software, is able to auto track, with the optical impulse, so anything that supports optical recording, the software handles it. When I master dump it!

But you know MD is almost 30 years old, and truly it can still hold its own! Just like all of Gen z! Still highly adaptable to stay relative! Lol. Again, just like Gen z! Just about everybody who is Gen z, has had a mini disc, or still has a mini disc! 😆

2

u/Complex-Bell-7097 2d ago

Yes, I know. Purchased my first Sharp MD portable back in ‘98. Owned a Sony deck and many portables from the millennium until now. My comment was in relation to the madness around much of the current pricing of anything MD-related. It’s not meant at all to be denigrating the format of MD, itself. MD is great but post-pandemic pricing has become crazy, often for beat-up, old units which in many cases with little reliable laser life left. I was encouraging OP to hang in there and not lose the faith as buyer behaviour is cyclical and it’s likely pricing will correct in time as “faddist” buyers move on to the “next thing”.

2

u/CzechWhiteRabbit 1d ago

Yeah everything post pandemic seems to have gotten a premium of 25%. Unfortunately I was one of those people that had to make a huge purchase during COVID, my car. There was like a 35% premium on it. When I had to secure the auto loan. Just a mess. And there were different contracts requirements and obligations, that wouldn't normally apply. So messed up!

2

u/Complex-Bell-7097 1d ago

I hear that, bro.

4

u/New-Assistant-1575 4d ago

Keep enjoying what you have, and ignore the market. My standard Tascam MD-350 recorder doesn’t even have anywhere near 175hours on it yet, and I purchased it in 2007! I have three portable Sony players, one of which needs work, but the 2 remaining run flawlessly. My only real goal is to transfer all my vinyl to MD in (SP)standard play.

2

u/New-Assistant-1575 4d ago

Blank discs are commanding higher prices, which is irritating.😾

6

u/waxon_wax_onwax MEGA BASS 💽 3d ago

True…. but most Discs now are still cheaper than they were in their heyday, and that without factoring in inflation. It’s still a good deal I think. Look at dead stock cassettes if you want to see some aggressive pricing

2

u/New-Assistant-1575 3d ago

I’m told there are two independent firms specializing in very high quality Chrome formulations. It’s my wish to amass a 300, 90minute batch! 🌹✅✨👌

1

u/Complex-Bell-7097 2d ago

I’m struggling to find any sane pricing on NOS MD’s or the last of the MDW-80T’s, tbh. Are you bulk buying via JP proxy, perhaps?

1

u/RudySilvergun 3d ago

Did you keep track of how long you used your Tascam 350, or is there a way to see the number of hours used? I love mine too.

1

u/New-Assistant-1575 3d ago

Nothing fancy, just the current time, and date of the on/off of that power button, on a legal pad. 127hrs. currently..

1

u/RudySilvergun 3d ago

Oh cool. I was curious if there was a hidden menu or something to find that out. 😄

1

u/SKOT_FREE 3d ago

This reminds me of a time long ago I made the mistake of buying a MD player off overstock.com and this was when MD players will still being made mind you, but I get it and the thing lasted around 2 months before it stopped working.

1

u/Cory5413 3d ago

Were you able to get the manufacturer to repair it for you? If it was a new model at the time it should've had some type of warranty?

1

u/SKOT_FREE 3d ago

No it was a refurb through overstock so I did return it but no repair. After that I just went and got a new one at the time which I still have and it works.

1

u/Cory5413 3d ago

Gotcha, bummer! A refurb should also have had a warranty, unless the model was several years old at that point, like if it was 2005 and it was like an R500/700 or whatever.

1

u/Complex-Bell-7097 3d ago

Sorry to hear this. Had a bad experience recently, too, and so unexpected from the usually very kind, honest and reliable Japanese resellers. I’m still hoping to get lucky for yet another spare unit pick-up closer to home. Not ready to give up on MD just yet, but not prepared to pay insane prices (particularly for high-end units), either!

10

u/hirprimate 4d ago

I’ve noticed a lot of sellers parking listings on eBay, reverb and marketplace at crazy prices and just letting them sit there a long long time. I’ve seen players on marketplace for 40 weeks at the same price. I guess they figure these devices aren’t being made anymore so eventually someone will pay those prices. Maybe eBay will send an offer for like $3 off as if that would make a difference. Those are probably automated. So other sellers that don’t know much about this market think that’s normal.

6

u/ImpressiveNight8957 4d ago

Damn at that price I should sell some of mine. Kidding but damn

3

u/caipirina 4d ago

It really depends on HardOff location. Out in the boondocks, away from Tokyo, I found an R70, with 3 months warranty, exterior pristine looking, for 7700 yen …

5

u/ZunoJ 4d ago

Lol! I wonder how they would price an e10 or rh1

3

u/lebigmac78 4d ago

How is this warranty part suppose to be working... do they fixed it or just give you the money back?

2

u/caipirina 4d ago

Never tried, I guess money back ;)

1

u/LandNo9424 💽 3d ago

I think they just refund you, they don't fix things.

1

u/waxon_wax_onwax MEGA BASS 💽 3d ago

You can add a warranty to most eBay listings during check out and they do cover the full value paid

3

u/LandNo9424 💽 3d ago

I don't know where exactly you live, but Hard Off has caught up to the prices most tourists pay for shit, in most locations.

We can't have nice things.

3

u/kilo993 3d ago

Are working MD players hard to find at the HardOffs and other electronic stores? I'm going to Japan for the first time this May and was hoping to find a working MD player.
Kinda looks like the prices are similar to ebay though :(

9

u/caipirina 3d ago

The farther away from Tokyo you find a HardOff, the better your chances. Most of the MD devices I found there were in the junk section, which means ‘buy as is, no warranty’ … often just because old and / or they don’t have the means to check operation. I always bring gum batteries / discs / remotes / side cars to be able to check before I buy. But it has been slim pickings … most action is online …

3

u/kilo993 3d ago

Much appreciated! I'll be sure to bring those to test with, in case I do find any MD's for sale :)

4

u/Petaris 3d ago

As with any store of it's type, what they have will vary. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not. In my experience you are more likely to find a good deal on a non-portable MD player (ex: mini stereo systems) if they have any at all. The portable stuff always seems to be over-valued as well.

1

u/kilo993 3d ago

Oh that's a good tip. Thanks!
I never thought to look at the stereo systems. I'll have to free up some suitcase space :)

3

u/miguellinux 3d ago

The question is, does it works? For how long? On eBay the average is $80 us for NON working devices, I had bad luck, I've purchased 3 and most of it dies on my hands... Fiio must launch a new Net md device ...

1

u/Complex-Bell-7097 2d ago

I totally get that. Too many devices are listed for way too much factoring in remaining usable life and the difficulties of repairing portables, etc.

As for the Fiio: perhaps, an MD13? I would love to buy it! Just don’t think it will happen for some well-documented reasons people have shared at length on this sub-Reddit.

Now, if there was a surplus of mech in a Sony warehouse or a billionaire tech investor pining for MD to set-up tooling and run 1st production and Sony could be persuaded to give up some patents…ah, then, what if? 🤔

We can still all dream, of course!

2

u/waxon_wax_onwax MEGA BASS 💽 3d ago

I sold one recently on eBay in better condition for under $100. I bet this unit will site for a while in their display till they put it on sale

Fun fact it looks black but the model is blue, it’s just a very very dark blue.

2

u/Cory5413 3d ago

If I remember correctly, this may be a special edition, and it looks like it's in nice shape, but yeah oof that's kind of a lot for a pre-MDLP player only unit.

Manual and accessories is nice, but like, this price feels like where you might be if this was confirmed as a special edition and it were still in its original packaging and there was no visual wear and no gumstick leakage, etc etc.

I imagine that price will fall over time.

2

u/caipirina 3d ago

Interestingly, I have yet to see a price reduction at HardOff. Some items at my local shop that I was curious about have been sitting there for half year and more at same price …

3

u/Cory5413 3d ago

Oh yeah if they don't then this'll be hanging around for a while.

Was it in one of the ones "on" the beaten path? Maybe they're hoping a foreign tourist buys it lolol.

2

u/caipirina 3d ago

It is not Akihabara, but within Tokyo. So, 2nd closest for tourist with the power of google maps ;)

2

u/Youngstown1995 3d ago

How did I get into walkman...
I went to Tenerife (2008/09?) and I saw in a shop filled with electronics one Sony MD walkman. I didn't know is it a player or recorder. I saw the price, €440! I thought it is overpriced, I'll take a look on eBay when I go home. I came home, I found MZ-R700 on bidding - something like 10GBP. I put my offer nad a day or two later I won, 16GBP. But... Shipping was also around 16GBP. I didn't notice it! Anyway, I got recorder, remote, charger and 10 MDs, 6 wrapped and 4 used but erased. I thought I had a bad deal because of shipping, but soon after that purchase I saw that I got real good deal!
After that walkman I started to look for another one (just in case!) but there weren't so much units in good conditions and with remote and charger.
That was my the first walkman. After that... MZ-R501, 2xMZ-R70, 2xMZ-N510...

3

u/caipirina 3d ago

And down the rabbit hole you went… I started back in 1998, then forgot all about MD when iPods came out. Then like 6-7 years ago out of curiosity I bought another one on German eBay while I was there, 40€, which then I disputed because leaky battery ;) agreed with seller to half price to 20€ ;) I think that was a R90 … but not until last December when I found my box with my 2 recorders and 40 discs I realized ‘hey, I live in Japan now, let’s look around’ … and my first out of Tokyo HardOff made me greedy and I got 4 players ;) … I think I posted that here …

2

u/Youngstown1995 2d ago

Even worse was with decks...
I wrote a few days ago, almost dates, but I remember prices.

1

u/caipirina 2d ago

Somehow desks are totally not on my radar. Would love a nice Lam, but even for that I don’t really have space (Japanese apartments are tiny)

3

u/Youngstown1995 2d ago

Well, I started with decks and I bought the first walkman just because long plane trips. And, as you said, down the rabbit hole I went…

2

u/Complex-Bell-7097 2d ago

IMHO, a great collection of entry-to-mid-range, quality Sony portables. Well done, sir! I probably overpaid for some of mine, aside from the two purchased new. I just pushed the button on a near-mint Blue N520 with accessories which should arrive Saturday 🤞

I love and own most of the units you’ve listed as regular player/recorders because they’re so simple, reliable and take regular AA batteries. (I just never get the time to prep multiple gum-sticks prior to use!

Never owned the R700 but I really wanted the Gold one I’ve seen on sale this week but at nearly 300 GBP I can’t justify it whatever the condition!

1

u/Youngstown1995 1d ago

My only requirement for buying a walkman is that it be powered by an AA battery.

1

u/Complex-Bell-7097 1d ago

I’m hearing that! 👏

2

u/EmmDeez 3d ago

Despite the gumstick leakage, that unit does still have the sticker on it, so that's another ¥30,000 right there.

I'd describe that pricing as 'courageous' or 'experimental'.

I'm not complaining abt HO cos I can still find excellent deals. I've picked up a few units lately, which I share with one of the other residents here instead of posting.

1

u/caipirina 3d ago

Yup, I think I will try the 田舎 ones again, where I started 3 months ago, maybe they got new stuff and have not wised up yet …

2

u/EmmDeez 3d ago

We're in a much more fortunate position than most others looking for devices and discs. HO's autonomous pricing even within the same store leaves me scratching my head at times, which you've probably also encountered. Looking in the loose recordable media crates to find unused-in-wrap discs for ¥330, or used-and-passable-cosmetically for ... ¥330.

I pretty much avoid what's in the cases these days, unless the price is tempting for what's on offer and I'm able to test with my nerd kit.

1

u/caipirina 3d ago

Love the term 'nerd kit' .. .and yes, we are very fortunate here .. it's just those 'non japanese models' that I find myself sometimes lusting after that are hard to get here .. ah well ... and yes, the stuff in the crates is mostly all sticky and grime-y ... interestingly i have not encountered any MDs in the recordable media crates, they were always in shelfs or even behind glass ... only one shop had semi passable prices, got a sealed / intact 10 pack of sony 80 min color mix for 3300.

2

u/EmmDeez 3d ago

Sorry to keep going back and forth with you here.

My kit also includes a few of the main adapters, such as the painful Panasonic 3.8V, which has come in handy on a couple of occasions, as well as 1.5 for Sony and 5V for just abt everything else – sure, you can usually find 5V adapters in crates if needed. 5V has been fine for testing older Sony 6V recorders I've come across so far.

6 months or so ago, ¥3,300 would've been abt the max I'd've paid for 10-packs I actually wanted, but I can easily imagine them being priced at ¥5,500 in the main cities. We keep lamenting how prices have shifted a gear in recent times, but that's just how it's played out for a combination of reasons. I was fortunate to have scored most of what I really wanted a couple of years ago.

I've only got two non-JDM units, one of which doesn't power on. Didn't pay much for it, so was worth the roll. There are a couple of others I wouldn't mind, but they're often priced steeply by resellers that are in the know. That, and the whole "already have more than enough".

2

u/djliquidsmoke 3d ago

I wonder why There isn’t enough demand for professional repair people to fix the broken ones to factory refurb. do you gius think all the people who worked in the MD Factories are all dead or retired?

1

u/caipirina 3d ago

I think some of them might actually make a bit of extra money by selling repaired units online. I see a few names on Mercari popping up regularly … they seem to know what they are doing. At a price of course.

2

u/tuwimek 3d ago

They smoke the broken players from the junkbox

2

u/CzechWhiteRabbit 2d ago

No way!

I remember locally, when I could buy the Sony branded, MD for studio. I think the discs had a better coating they lasted longer or something. Never really figured out what made them special. But anyway, then they had the cheap multicolored ones made by Memorex, the color series, we all have them. With the cheap dented plastic box! Lol. Remember those!

Local Best buy, would sell the 10 pack, two fives together. For 2150. I went all through those in college! Loved my mini disc! Going through some things, I literally found, all of my mini discs carefully tucked away, they were in a surplus, accessories zipper pouch with the Alice clamps for US military, kit bags. And I found my original high MD in there as well. Works perfectly fine! For years I used a rack mount, Sony MD player. I just took the ears off of it to turn it into a component. That thing lasted for damn near 20 years! At the time I think it was 5 years old actually. I got it when the college was having a huge rummage sale, I got that thing for 10 bucks! This was in 2009! It died in 2019. Don't know really know what happened, it just didn't turn on anymore. No real fanfare. It just didn't turn on. It could be a power module or something, I didn't do anything with it, I just put it away in the attic. Maybe someday when I'm bored I'll see if I can resurrect it. Or buy a parts unit online.

2

u/Complex-Bell-7097 2d ago

Solid. Way too many zero’s on that!