Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder

• 40-second shock-resistant memory
• Lightweight magnesium die cast body
• Headphone remote with backlit LCD
• Rechargeable battery and charger supplied
• One AA battery case supplied for extended playback

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.

Buy Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder Now

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.

Read Best Reviews of Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder Here

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.

Want Sony MZ-R55 Portable MiniDisc Player and Recorder Discount?

If you want this unit to go out biking or blading or running, you are out of luck. I bought mine last May; by the end of Summer, and after a couple of accidental normal pulls the headphones stop working. At the juncture of the cable and the plug from the remote the inner cables became exposed. Then I dropped the unit from a 3 feet hieght and it stopped working all together. I'm really sorry I bought this thing.

My first review of a minidisc player was done in 2001. It was for the MZ-R70 blue model.

I have bought this MZ-R55 2nd hand, which is in fact, over 3 years old. The unit (recorder and all supplies) work like a charm. It works better than the MZ-R70, for it's faster when skipping tracks, and it runs the TOC EDIT faster than my other model, which is an MZ-R50 silver model. Yes, I have 3 minidisc players. May I say, even though many people have rated the MZ-R55 down, I love it. All you have to do is have a little patience, and take care of the Unit.

I like the backlit remote, which is excellently handy when you don't want to flip the player/recorder in and out of your pocket every two minutes to raise the volume or change song.

The unit's shell takes a lot more abuse than that of the MZ-R70. The paint doesn't come off as easy, and even though the unit may be a bit heavier, at least I'm more aware of the fact that there's something fragile in my pocket. I think that 4 hours of battery life is halfway decent if not acceptable. What I mean, is that 4 hours is fine by me. I don't go out much, and that leaves less ware&Tear on the unit.

Let me tell you...the bass in the collapsible headphones is outstanding. These headphones sport the best digital bass that I have ever heard. May I also add, you don't have to turn the volume up too high, to drown out the exterior sound around you. I find myself not having to put the volume up past 50%.

The AA battery compartment is handy to have when your NH-14WM (Nickel-Metal Hydride Battert) loses its charge. Just today I went out with the compartment attached, and voila, it's there when I need it.

My MZ-R55 is the silver model. Even though I bought this unit second hand, it seems to have withstood a lot of time, and everything I expected it to be, it has lived up to its SONY name.

The carrying pouch is genuninely handy to have, if you're going out in the harsher of climates. That way, it won't get wet or humid. Another thing, the headphones, being as short as they are, are practical for someone who always puts their mini-disc player in their shirt pocket, with or without the remote. The only thing wrong with that, is that you can't really turn your head too far from in front of the unit, or you will be pulling on the wire.

For the 3 Volt power supply adaptor, I am happy about it, because it's the same voltage as for my MZ-R70. They both share adaptors, and one is always near the stereo for playing through big bass speakers. One is always there for the personal listening pleasure at my desk.

The whole shebang comes in a neat little rectangular box, which is great for storing, and great for placing my other mini-disc players and their accessories when not in use.

I would recommend you go on an internet site for SONY mini-disc players, to print out their service manuals for each individual model. I have a manual printed out for each of my 3 units. Kind of comes in handy when you know a little about electronics.

I am happy with this product, and would recommend this to anyone, even those fussy people who nag about every little problem they encounter.

Hope this review has helped you.