The shock-resistant memory is also unusually long, with 40 seconds at standard speed and 160 seconds at LP4. To save power, the MD-MT877 automatically adjusts from 5 seconds to 40 seconds, but you can set the memory buffer to its full length when you know that you'll be in shaky conditions, for example, when you're jogging.
Simple controls
The Sharp's controls are small (par for the course with portable audio devices) but easy to use. Volume and track selection are handled by a four-way rocker switch, which works great despite being smaller than a dime. Green, blue, and orange LEDs show the operating mode at a glance. The clip-on remote duplicates all controls except for record and even has its own small display. A sample-rate converter (available on most of these units) enables direct digital recording from DATs and other digital sources that use sampling rates of 32KHz or 48KHz instead of MiniDiscs' 44.1KHz.
Signal-actuated recording from the microphone, the analog line, or the digital line input makes it easy to synchronise the Sharp with your recording source; it simply starts recording when it hears something. Another neat trick up the MD-MT877's sleeve is that it can begin a new track every 3, 5, or 10 minutes.
Sharp's MD-MT877 is an elegant looking, easy-to-use, good performer. But what distinguishes it from lower-priced Sharp MiniDisc recorders we've reviewed is its ability to pack a lot more music onto each disc. Whether that's worth the AU$830 list price is up to you.
Sharp MD-MT877
Company:Sharp Australia
Ph: 1300 135 022
Price: AU$829
Rating:
4%
2%
