Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    Manufacturers Marketplace carries both the Sony and Technics, but
    service isn't their strong point either.  Most comments I hear are
    that both players are fine, but that the Sony has features that
    make it more pleasurable to use.
    					Steve

    I received the Technics player for Christmas, and was really happy
    with it, but for one thing.  For some reason, they used a non-standard
    plug for the A/C adaptor jack.  That means I couldn't use a standard
    cigarette-lighter adaptor to run the thing in my car.  I tried many
    times to call Technics/Panasonic/Matsushita to find out if they
    make an adaptor, but I got only busy signals.  I finally returned
    it to Service Merchandise, hoping to exchange it for a D-5, which
    has a standard jack.  Unfortunately, the D-5's were out of stock,
    so I'm without a portable at the moment.
    
    What's the best current model for around $150-$200?  Where can I
    get it?
    
    Thanks.
    -pd

    I also received the Technics for Xmas, and I like it except for
    the A/C adapter bit.  It appears that the A/C adapter converts the
    a/c to +6v and -6v which is why they they have the strange plug.
    
    It is possible to convert the 12v in your car to get the +/- 6v
    for the player.   The problem is to come up with another plug
    or install a standard one (sub-miniature stereo phono jack) in
    the line between the Technics plug and the A/C converter.  This
    way the Technics plug can be used for both the a/c and the car with
    the phono plug plugging into the car adapter or the converter.
    
    Also, does the D77 have the high filter on it? I like this feature
    and use it often.  
    
    Dale
    

Based on everything I have seen thus far the D77 doesn't have the high 
filter or oversampling. Based on separate listenings the Technics player 
sounded better to me. However, in all fairness the Technics was previewed
using a CD that I had brought along of knowm quality whereas the Sony D77
test used a sample CD from the store (CD was pretty beat up and not the
best of quality), also different headphones. BTW, everyplace that I saw 
the D77 it carried a price tag of $349, barely below mfg's list of $370.

I agree with the comments on the plug, a technician at Country Electronics 
in Sudbury suggested trying MIS Electronics in Waltham (not sure of name) 
because they are a major supplier of parts for Matsushita (Panasonic, 
Technics). Another possible source to check is U-DO-IT Electronics in 
Needham.

As for which is the best player for $150-200 I think it depends on the 
individual. Everybody's ear is slightly different as well as what options 
are most important. Personally I am leaning towards the Technics for the 
following reasons:

       1. Sounds "appears" more natural
       2. Portability (accurate tracking) is key as I expect to use this
          primarily on the go. The Technics is bulkier with the battery
          pack, but the added bulk seems to provide alot more isolation.
       3. If opting for the more expensive SLXP8 vs D77 to gain AM/FM,
          the SLXP8 offers Digital(quartz) AM/FM vs analog AM/FM.
          NOTE: availability of the SLXP8 could be a problem, Service
          Merchandise didn't expect to have any in the near future.
       4. Availability/reputation of Sony Repair centers, sony products
          tend to be more difficult to have serviced, usually requires
          return to factory ($/time without product)

Hope this helps. Thanks to all who responded.

   Earl

     

    RE: .0
    
    I own the Technics portable.  I had the opportunity to compare it
    with the SONY twice.  At first instant I was convinced that SONY
    was better.  It was better in tracking a very poor demo disc.  But
    then it literally got stuck at one track, whereas the Technics managed
    to play it, albeit with lot of skipping.  Next time I took a good
    disk with me to do the comparison.  I could not honestly notice
    any difference with my iron ears.  Oh yes, Technics was costing
    me $150.00 as opposed to SONY which was selling for $225.00 at that
    time.
    
    I have had good experience with Service Merchandise when I go there
    on Monday evenings, especially after a long weekend or so.
    
    I have read the new Magnavox portable is "supposed" to be superior
    to both SONY and Techinics.  You may want to compare them.  Service
    Merchandise does carry all three of them.

RE: ?    
    
    I have not yet found any information about the car adopter for the
    Technics.  Normally the accessories are always listed in the owner's
    manual.  I would assume that even if 12V -> -6V|0|+6V adopter were
    available, it could be quite expensive.  A single charge on the
    built-in NiCd can give you about 3~4 hours of playing time, which
    probably is reasonable for short to medium length trips in your
    car.
    
- Vikas

	Hopefully in the tax free Massachusetts annex (Nashua area)?
						     
							- JP

    Re/ .5:
    
    	You said Service Merchandise carries the Magnavox portable?
	The one I've been to (Saugus) only had Sony and Technics. Where's
    	a Service Merchandise (or other dealer) who carries the Magnavox?
    
    Thanks.
    -pd

    The only New Hampshire Service Merchandise stores I know of are
    in Salem and Manchester.  The Salem store (on Rt. 28, just up the
    road from Cuomo's) is very large.
    						Steve

There was a review of the Magnavox CD9510 Portable in the July issue of 
Digital Audio. The review given was very good. The only minor concern 
listed in the review was the size/weight when the battery pack is added
(about the size of a paperback book). The battery pack is NOT included
with the player, it comes in an optional package, $60 list, which includes 
the battery pack, carrying case, shoulder strap and Digital Headset.

I hadn't considered the Magnavox player because I hadn't found any place 
that carried them. When I was at the Service Merchandise in Framingham they 
didn't have anything in stock. If I get a chance to check it out will 
report back on my findings.

                                                     Thanks,
                                                      Earl

        I just saw a Magnavox 9510 portable in a Sears out here by
        Chicago. I doubt that their price was reasonable ($199), as Sears
        non-sale prices rarely are. Portable CD players were pretty hot
        gifts for the holidays, so current stock is pretty low in most
        places I've seen. 

    I remember seeing it in the Manchester store.  But pelase call them if
    you want to be absolutely sure.  I did not actually listen to it.  I
    was there after Christmas to see if the new Technics i.e. SLPX-8 was on
    the display or not.  Since it was not there, I did not hang around much
    longer. Besides, the Magnavox portable had ungodly shape for the
    battery pack. I disagree with the previous reply.  I would take $199 to be
    a great price if it includes rechargeable battery pack.
    
    Manchester store is also quite easy to find.  Take the Exit 5(Granite
    St. exit) off the I-290N in the Mancsheter (Everett Tpk becomes I-290N
    in Manchester). At the end of the exit ramp, take the right and and
    after few feet at the light take another right.  This is one way road
    which makes a nice U-turn at the end of the road.  SM is on your right.
    Not only that now they even have a regualr entrance to I-290S for you
    to go back! Before that you had to sight see the downtown Manchester
    resedential area for couple of miles.

    It is about 20~22 miles from the MA-NH border on the Rt 3. 

- Vikas

    Re: .11
    
    For "I-290" read "I-293".
    			Steve

                        Oops, sorry, wrong Interstate

  
  OH! What would I give to be able to only!! pay $200 for a portable.
  What is a SONY D77?. We can get the SONY D50 MARK 2 for around
  $A499 which includes the battery pack, charger and car cassette
  adapter. Our disc prices are around $A25-$A28 but I would still
  pay this for the great sound. You people in the northern states
  certainly have it easy as far as prices are concerned!.
  				
  				Fred from The Land Down Under

    At long last another person from the Southern hemisphere, and whats
    more from Adelaide. I came from there about two years ago, was workign
    for CMC (you should know it).
    
	Can only agree with you Fred, even when you take into account the
    well standing of the South Pacific Pecso they do well. There US$200
    changes over to about A$320.....very cheap.
    
	From what I have been able to track down, the D5 is a D50. The D7
    is a D50 Mark II and the D77 is the one with the radio ( can someone
    over there confirm this). If the D77 is the one with the radio they are
    doing really well, that cost $699 down here.
    
	 Fred if you are looking at getting a new CD then hang on till
    March/April. It appears that SONY is about to bring out a new one and
    the D50 Mark II will be discontinued. I don't know anything about it
    but I'm giving the local SONY sales rep a hard time about it.
    

				    Bazzoo

	The D7 has been discontinued here (US) in favor of the D77 
	(+am/fm).  The D7 I bought at the end of Nov bit the dust
	before Xmas.  Now I find that it took my Ludwig Von's 9th
	with it.  It was the only disk I had that a) I played often
	and b) had music to the very edge.  Evidently, the unit had
	trouble at the edge and put some nice circumferential gouges
	into the disk.  This might have aided in the demise of the 
	unit which finally only stuttered.  I never examined the 
	lens closely, but I bet it was scratched, too.  I now own
	a Technics SL-XP7, and I'm very happy (also a Sony CDX-R7
	car unit).  

	The AM/FM addition seems to be hitting all the manufacturers.
	But the delta $ seems a bit exhorbitant, especially when I
	can get pretty small am/fm stereo for next to nothin at Radio
	Shack.  I'd be interested in hearing other's opinions on this.

						     
							- JP

  Thanks for the prompt replies. I am in the market for a portable/car
  player and since our car only players are in the vicinity of
  $A800+ I will wait for what comes out in Q4 or so (585.15). Thanks
  585.15 for the comments, yes I know CMC well!!!! as I supported
  an engineer on a you-beaut!! 1170 all night... I currently have
  a SONY CDP 101 and have had it for over 2 years with only one
  problem with the tracking which SONY fixed under warranty. I
  wish I could just throw away used players like 585.16 at least
  could he send it to me so I could fix???
  					
  					FRED
  

    The D-7's replacement is actually the new D-10, which is 40% smaller
    than the D-7, plus it adds Sony's "UniLinear Converter" and added
    damping in the transport for improved sound (supposedly).  The
    D-10 has many options, including a bracket intended for mounting
    the player (removeable) in a car, plus remote control!
    
    Since my brother managed to buy a new D-7 at Christmas time, I have
    a hard time believing that the D-7 is being replaced by the D-77.
    
    					Steve

      I, too, bought a D-7 at Christmas. I returned it becuase of a
      defect and haven't seen any D7s since. It's a good time to bring
      out a replacement; it appears that there are no more D7s.
      
      kh

	OK perhaps I misspoke myself.  I returned the D7 to Lechmere (I
	didn't throw it away, Fred).  They said the D7 was discontinued.
	All the adds out showed the D77, so I assumed it was the 
	replacement.  Glad to hear it's not.  I mean, who needs yet 
	another am/fm radio?  My only question on the, what was it -- D10?
	is "remote control?" for a portable cd? oy!

						     
							- JP

    Yes, the D-10 has an optional $50 remote control.  The receiver
    attaches to the player with a cable, and you get a separate remote
    much like those for other Sony players.  It was even suggested that
    the remote is easier to use than the front panel in the car!
    
    Actually, this is not unique - Toshiba's portable has had a plug-in
    remote receiver for some time now.
    
    The February Stereo Review has a "User's Evaluation" of the D-10,
    plus additional details.
    					Steve

    RE: Magnavox portable:
    
    Over the weekend I was at SM, Manchester store.  They seem to have
    the Magnavox portables in stock for $169.00 and for that you get
    the player, power pack (rechargeable?) and get this, a "retractable
    car adpator"!
    
    No, I did not get to actually see the gizmo since it was not on
    display but it is worth to check it out before anyone gives up on
    Magnavox for the lack of car adopter.
    
    - Vikas

    I was in Hugo's Appliance in Melrose over the weekend, and apparantly
    Technics DOES make a car adapter to go with their SL-XP... line.
    They're checking cost/availability for me, so I don't have that
    info yet.  Meanwhile, the $169 Magnavox sounds like a good deal
    to me.
    
    -pd

    The D10 seems like it might be just what I'm looking for.  Has anyone
    seen it in any store yet?  Any idea as to the price?
    
    Rich.
    

<--(.21)
    
    Now if only someone (prehaps the author of pointed to note) could key
    in the review for us poor people down under who can't get this
    magazine.
    
			    Barry
    

	I have seen the D-10 in Boston Compact Disk.  So I would guess
its available elsewhere (Leech-mere?) too.    

The February issue of DIGITAL AUDIO has a brief article on the new Sony 
D-10. Following is an extract from the article:

0 The Discman D-10 is 40% smaller than the SONY D7, & weighs ONLY 14 oz.
0 Automatic Music Sensor can choose up to 99 tracks in both directions
0 21 Selection random programmability
0 "Better sound" due to Sony's "Unilinear Converter" system which includes
  oversampling, digital filtering, and a master clock "to reduce spurious
  noise products".
0 The D-10 comes with AC adapter, rechargeable battery, cables and carrying
  case.
0 Optional accessories are: remote controller, car cassette adapter, an 
  automotive mounting system that promises "a flexible yet secure way to 
  use the D-10 on the road."

Suggested Retail Prices:

Discman D-10 package                -  $349.95
RM-DM1K Remote Commander            -  $ 49.95
CPA-1 Car Cassette Adapter          -  $ 39.95
CPM-100 Automotive Mounting System  -  $ 74.95
DCC-120 Car Battery Cord            -  $ 36.50

As yet, I have not seen any D-10 anywhere in my search for a portable as 
yet. Availability of portables of any make are still veery slim.

As for the value of remote, I read a study recently that indicated that 
portable represent 50% of ALL CD players sold. The study also indicated 
that alot of people are buying portables that can play on the go or 
connected to a home stereo. It appears that Sony is trying to capitalize on 
this fact by providing a remote, which is desireable for some on a HOME 
unit. 

I think Sony is recognizing that CD's are rapidly becoming a "toy" of the 
masses now as opposed to the audiophile. In the mass market, most people
cannot afford two CD players, one for home & one for the road. Once most
people hear the clarity of a CD and THEN make the mental transition to 
accepting a $15 price tag for each new CD purchase it is only a matter of 
time before they have to buy. 
for home use because of limited space available in the stereo listening area.

One last reason for a remote, since portable CD's are viewed as a YUPPIE toy 
it's necessary to include as many trinkets and gadgets as possible to 
maximize appeal to the YUPPIE masses. :^>

       
                                                   Earl

    I consider the remote option on the D-10 to be just wonderful. 
    I own a D-5, and only twice have I actually used it as a "portable",
    though I have carried it from place to place.  The D-10's remote
    "eye" is a little thing that plugs into the left side of the player
    like headphones.  It can swivel up and down.  I'd love to have
    remote control for my D-5!
    
    				Steve

    re: last few - 
    
    I just picked up a D-10 at Underground Electronics on Broadway in
    New York City for $239.00.  Cash-n-carry or charge it for 5% extra.
    Comes with all the before-mentioned goodies; case, charger, strap,
    patch cord for line out.  No phones though. Oh yeah, it also has a 
    warranty card.  I checked the S/N and they match.   
    
    How is it?  So far, so good.  Play time is >4hrs per charge.  And 
    it really is as small as they say; the D-10 with battery pack is 
    about the same size as the D-7 without its pack.
    
    Will keep you posted,
    
    /rob conrad

I, too am looking for a portable CD player.  SO I called my 
favorite price only stores in NYC and got the following info:

Sony D-10 - $279  not as good as .-1 but not too bad

Sony DT-3 - they said it was a new Sony with an AM/FM tuner, but
 	    no body I talked to had one in stock?  Price around 
	    $300 I think.

Sony D-55 - this must be the older one with an FM tuner, $279.

Now my questions:

Did I hear that the tuner is an option on the D-10?  What kind of 
tuner is it?  Good, bad, analog, digitized?

What do you know about the DT-3?  Size, what kind of tuner, does 
it have the new tracking circuits etc?

Did someone mention that the Technics had a digital tuner in it?  
I guess I'm one of those yuppies that loves that kind of 
gadget...

Thanks,

Barclay

    The DT-3 is a D-3 with a tuner.  The D-3 is a new model that is
    larger than the D-10 and is non-programmable, but cheap.  The
    DT-10 is the D-10 with a tuner - it's not an add-on to an
    existing D-10.  All of these models (with the exception of the
    base D-10) are so new you'll have a hard time finding anyone who
    stocks them quite yet.
    
    					Steve

    One more question:  has anyone compared the sound of the Technics
    vs. the D-10?  Have Sony's enhancements improved the sound and shock
    resilience beyone the Technics SLXP8?  I understand that the Technics
    is also much larger since the D-10 is 40% smaller than the old Sony
    players.  Has anyone taken a look at the car mounting kit?

    NOTES$FULL_OF_QUESTIONS
        
    Barclay