Here’s the obscure but lovely Sony MZ-E630. This is an older MDLP (ie. legacy) MiniDisc player. For some reason, it’s not listed in the MDCF equipment browser, but it does in fact exist. Just like Bigfoot.
These were only manufactured for the Japanese market, and although several stateside importers had them for a brief time, prices were unrealistic. I wanted one, but was forced to pass.
Fortunately, I have an acquaintance who lives in Akihabara, and he found a shipment of these bound for China. He was able to get it for a pittance, so I jumped.
This is one of Sony’s rare white units. The only others I’m aware of are the MZ-EH50 and the MZ-E90. Unlike most units, this one has an opaque and slightly reflective white clamshell finish (which, of course, makes it difficult to photograph with a flash). Traditionally, they’ve chosen either a brushed magnesium or porous aluminum for the exterior.
Notice the direct similarities to the Hi-MD EH930 playback unit on the left. Button arrangement is the same, as are the batteries. Both have an attachment for an external alkaline battery as well. Dimensions are almost identical, but the E630 feels lighter. The EH1 is still the lightest and slimmest of the bunch.
The E630 uses Type S ATRAC, but predates the HD amps used on 2nd-gen Hi-MD units. Still, sound is clear and well-defined, as is to be expected. The jury’s still out as to whether the HD amp makes much of a difference, as the default is a Class D anyhow. I am unable to tell one from the other through ABX, and although nothing matches the tube-like warmth of Sharp’s Auvi amplifier, sound is still worlds ahead of what can be expected of any other portable format.
Given that we appear to be in the waning twilight of the format, now is a good time to grab a backup unit before they start becoming obscure (and therefore, expensive) collector’s items.
Oh, and that thing in the back is a Daiso single-disc aluminum case. Utterly impractical, but still quite neat.
