SONY MDS-JA30ES Minidisc Recorder

 (ATRAC v4.5)

 

 

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This is the middle model from Sony's premium range of Minidisc equipment. Built like a tank, it's a gadget freaks dream come true. The features that are now available to the Minidisc user are now awesome. All of the illustrations of the JA30ES on this page show the CHAMPAGNE GOLD finish, my particular model is finished in BRUSHED ALUMINIUM BLACK finish. See below for the low-down.

 

• Features of the JA30ES:
• ATRAC 4.5 (IC: CXD2537R) 20 bit delta-sigma A/D with new ``adaptive high frequency control technology''
• 11.6ms edit point accuracy.
• Includes newly developed S-TACT IC for [D/A?] pulse generation section, reducing digital and analogue noise.
• Equipped with an R-core transformer
• Remote: RM-D14M, RM-D10P (optional QWERTY remote keyboard)

 



 

Specifications:
• Dynamic range: 104dB. S/N (manual: >104dB, brochure: >107dB, German Stereo magazine: >112dB).
• Freq. resp: 5-20kHz +/-0.3dB.
• THD: brochure: <.002%, German Stereo magazine: <.0012/.0013 (L/R).
• Line in: 47 kOhm, 500mV rms (min: 125mV rms).
• Coax in: .5Vp-p +/-20%, 75 Ohms.
• Optical in: 660nm.
• Line out: 2Vrms@50 KOhms, impedance: 10 KOhms.
• Digital out: -18dBm, 660nm.
• Phones: 28mW, 32 Ohms.
• GaAlAs laser output: 780nm @ <44.6 micro watts (measured at 200mm for the object lens surface of the optical pick-up block with 7mm aperture).

 

Adjustable recording level control for both digital and analogue inputs. Non-clip function in digital recording mode automatically reduces recording gain to avoid clipping (can be disabled). Selectable fade-in and fade-out of digital inputs during recording. Fade in and out curves can be separately set to follow a linear, sin, or log curve. Fade in and out times can be set separately between 1 and 15 seconds. Digital level control has 3 settings: off, recording use only, recording and playback use.

Various track mark functions: off, auto (level based), as well as 1 minute and 5 minute intervals. Auto track mark silence detection level can be set from -72dB to -0dB in 2dB steps. Auto track mark minimum silence duration can be set from 0 to 9.5 seconds in 0.5 second steps.

Has selectable resume function modes: 1) disabled 2) starts play where it left off (just like the portables), or 3) starts play at next song, even after power off. During playback auto space (insert space when crossing tracks) or auto pause (enter pause when crossing tracks) can be set, or disabled. Peak hold function, works during recording or playback. Digital output filter has 4 settings to control rolloff of frequencies above 20kHz to better suit system, room or song acoustics (adopted from Sony ES CD player). 6 second time machine. Digital out word length can be set to 16 or 20 bits, when connected to another 20-bit machine or D/A converter can do 20-bit dubbing. Handy indicator LED's on the play, pause and record buttons.

Entire front panel has 6 display modes: 1) time, track#, meter, misc. modes, disc/track title. 2) time, track#, meter, misc. modes, output filter setting. 3) time, track#, meter, misc. modes, rec. gain setting (in dB). 4) time, track#, meter, disc/track title (remove music calendar, mode indicators, etc). 5) time and track# only (remove meter, disc/track title). 6) Blank entire display (remove everything, unit functions as normal otherwise).

20-segment level meter. Tray loading mechanism. Rigid vibration resistant chassis. Two R-Core transformers (separate ones for digital and analogue sections). Note: Unfortunately there is no monaural recording and no mic inputs available.



 

 

 

This illustration is of the tray loading mechanism of the JA50ES and is identical to that of the JA30ES.

 

 

 

See what a user in Italy has to say about the JA30ES.  

 

 Mick Evans 1999-2000

 Last updated 2 July 2000

e-mail [email protected]