Sony MZ-R90: The Ultimate MiniDisc

Sony has packed a number of exciting features into what is currently the world's smallest and lightest MD recorder. Aside from basic features such as the ability to play, record, and edit MiniDiscs, the MZ-R90 includes a sprinkling of new features, including increased capabilities in the wired remote control and a pair of functions that make it easier to name tracks on a MiniDisc. Since the MZ-R90 is so small and streamlined, many of its functions require navigating through onscreen menus with its jog lever. Once we got used to the lever, we were able to access some of the recorder's more complex features such as track moving and track naming.

The MZ-R90 makes it easier for you to enter the names of the tracks on your MiniDiscs. With the majority of MD recorders, the process of entering the name of each track on a MiniDisc is a tedious and time-consuming process. Two new features, the phrase bank and real-time track naming, promise to save time and effort for the user. First, the phrase bank feature allows you to store 600 characters' worth of commonly used words and phrases that can be retrieved when you enter the names of songs or MiniDiscs. This will save you from having to type out words like "the" or "and" while you are naming your tracks. Second, real-time track naming allows you to enter track and disc names while you record discs, which is a new feature in Sony's MD line. While Sharp's MD recorders have had this feature for over a year, it's nice to see Sony finally jump on the bandwagon.

Usability
The MZ-R90 has three colour-coded ports -line-in, mic-in, and headphone-out - which allow easy connection to a home stereo or CD player. The headphone-out port doubles as the analog line-out. As with most portable audio devices, you will need a separate adaptor to connect the MD recorder to your home stereo. While Sony doesn't include a home stereo adaptor cable in the box, it does include a more costly optical cable, which makes it easy to create digital MiniDisc backups of your CDs. (Note: You will need an optical-out-enabled CD player to do this.)

The basic play and record functions of the MZ-R90 were easy to pick up. Some of the more advanced functions such as track naming and track moving required a quick perusal of the manual. The only major design flaw was the placement of the "end search" button, which is right next to the "next track" button. When you press the "end search" button, the track that's playing stops and the player skips to the end of the MiniDisc. If you're not careful, it's all too easy to accidentally press the wrong button. This happened to us a number of times, especially when we were using the MZ-R90 in the dark or when it was in a jacket pocket.

Sony makes up for this small flaw with its finely crafted wired remote. The remote's backlit LCD display is great for operating in the dark, and it gives you full disc-editing capabilities.

Look and Feel
The MZ-R90 is truly remarkable in its look and feel. The tiny MD recorder is about the size of two MiniDisc cases stacked together. And, weighing in at just 147 grams (with a recordable MiniDisc and the rechargeable battery), it is as light as it is small. Presented in a strikingly smooth silver, the MZ-R90 is likely to turn a few heads. It marks the premiere of Sony's magnesium top cover. The magnesium top cover is rugged and durable, yet it is lighter than other metals normally used in MD recorders. Despite its small size, the MZ-R90 feels solid and sturdy. Another plus is that the MD recorder is not littered with extraneous buttons and switches that are rarely used. The jog lever replaces the functions of a number of buttons.

Performance
The MZ-R90's performance is definitely competitive with other high-end MD recorders in terms of its sound, shock resistant memory, and battery life. At home, we used the MZ-R90 with a Sony STDRE935 Dolby Digital Receiver and surround-sound system. On the road, we used Sony's Studio Monitor MDR-7506 headphones for our testing. In both instances the sound quality was excellent. The Digital Mega Bass came in handy when we needed a little extra bass on the headphones. When the MZ-R90 is connected to your home stereo, you will definitely amaze your friends with the big sound produced by this tiny MD recorder.

Since MiniDisc recorders are excellent for making field recordings and recordings of live concerts, we took the MZ-R90 on the road with Sony's ECM-MS907 stereo microphone. The auto gain control feature did a respectable job of managing the recording levels, but you also have the option of setting the recording levels manually. The serious MD field recorder may want to note that it is not possible to adjust the recording levels while a recording is in progress. It is unfortunate that Sony has not elected to include this among the MD recorder's features. Sharp's MT15 and other Sharp MD recorders, for example, do allow you to adjust the levels during a recording.

With 40 seconds of shock-resistant memory, the MZ-R90 is at the top of the curve in terms of skip prevention. We had a reasonably hard time getting the MZ-R90 to skip, unlike with Sharp's MT15 MD recorder, which has only 10 seconds of shock-resistant memory. If you are a hard-core runner or jogger, you may encounter some skipping, but under normal circumstances the MZ-R90 will not skip.

Another area where the MZ-R90 really leads the pack is battery life. With the rechargeable battery alone, this MD recorder gives you as much as 12 hours of continuous playback and six and a half hours of recording. If size is not a concern, and you are willing to tack on the supplied additional battery pack (which consists of a single AA battery), you should attain a combined battery life of 29 hours playback and 14.5 hours of recording. MZ-R90's incredible battery life helps position this MD recorder at the top of its class.

Value
The ERP for the MZ-R90 is a whopping AU$719, making this MD recorder one of the most expensive out there. The big factors that separate the MZ-R90 from the majority of MD recorders on the market are its size, weight, and battery life. If these qualities are not important to you, then we suggest you save a few bucks and buy a cheaper MiniDisc recorder. If a wired remote control is not important to you, you can save even more. However, if you are serious about audio quality, portability, battery life, and having the coolest gear money can buy, then the MZ-R90 will treat you right.

Sony MiniDisc MZ-R90
Company: Sony
Ph: 02 9878 9712; Fax: 02 9888 6264
Price: ERP AU$719.
Rating: 4 Star