Sony MZR90 Minidisc Recorder

The Sony comes with a digital cable to connect to a home digital preamplifier, CD player, DAT, or digital satellite system unit. The sampling-rate converter allows you to record minidiscs that have having different sampling frequencies, such as digital satellite systems and DAT. A digital recording-level control allows you to manually maintain a consistent recording level on your minidisc, no matter what your source. An automatic gain-control feature also prevents overload distortion.

A digital megabass sound system provides rich, deep bass tones with digital signal processing for virtually inaudible harmonic distortion. With digital synchro-recording, you can make digital copies of CDs onto a minidisc with a synchronized operation that only records once it receives the digital input signal.

You can use CD Text to record the title and songs onto the MD during recording. You can also create and modify individual track information to your own liking with personalized character input. With Sony's Name Bank, you can store up to 600 characters for easy, fast recall. The date and time stamp function automatically places a marker on each recording for future reference.

The slim, backlit LCD remote provides direct access to the minidisc player's functions. A backlit display informs you of the song title, disc title, playback status, and if the battery is on, off, or near depletion. This display is easy to see even in low light, and it has a stereo minijack for headphones on the remote.

From the optical-in, the sampling frequency is 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48kHz. The frequency response is 20 to 20,000Hz (+/- 3dB), and the wow and flutter is unmeasurable. It has a DC-in, a 3-volt microphone-in, plug-in power, and an in for an optical line. The outputs include headphones, which are connected to the remote, and a stereo minijack.

The Sony MZR90 comes with an AC adapter, digital connecting cable, NiMH rechargeable battery, AA battery, carrying case, and a battery protector.

The battery life is approximately 16.5 hours of recording time and 12 hours of playback with Sony's NH-14WM NiMH rechargeable battery; four hours of recording and 16.5 hours of playback with Sony's AA alkaline battery; and 14.5 hours of recording and 29 hours of playback with Sony's NH-14WM NiMH rechargeable battery plus the Sony AA alkaline battery. Recording time using only AA alkaline batteries varies depending on the brand.

I got it at some going out of business sale in the city. I bought a nice microphone from Sony to go along with it. My primary goal was to record all my language classes while overseas and then post them on my web site.

Anyways, the sound quality is great, and i'm definitely sold, but here are the two major drawbacks for me:

1) No digital offload of recordings to your computer. (I'm a web developer)

2) They have this stupid "End Search" button. It works like this. If you want to record anything... first you hit the "End Search" button, then you hit the "Record" button. If you don't hit the end search button first, it will erase all the rest of your recordings after the track number that you hit record in front of. I lost lots of great recordings in Thailand before i finally learned about this user interface failure. They should have just labeled it "prepare for recording" in stead of "End Search". Better yet, they should have just eliminated it and included the functionality in the record button.

That being said, I'm thinking about selling my my current one in favor of one of their new ones that is more expensive but promises to overcome the above two drawbacks.


Very small, usefullbut now it is outdated.   May 22, 2001
 21 out of 23 found this review helpful

Living over here in asia I get access to all the new gadgets by japanese companies. I actually have this model. Mine is silver though. I guess blue is a world model.

There are some pains you must go through with this piece of equipment.

1st of all you cant change the bass level through the remote. This is the worst feature. Very inconvenient

Second sony still didn't get rid of the End search button. You might just erase your album by mistake.

Third the playing time isn't that great. 8 Hrs of so. Unless you have 2 or more batteries get's pretty irritating.

Actually the most important thing to know is that this model has been replaced. The current flagship sony is the r-900 which allows MDLP recording/playback allowing max 320 minutes of recording on 1 disc. This is worthless but the 160 minute option is very useful.

I recommend getting a MD audio system and a dedicated player. Not a recorder/player. I personally use a E-900 which supports MDLP playback and 20 hours of playback on 1 charge. Smallest, lightest in the world right now. Once you go to a dedicated MD player there is no turning back. MD recorders have just too many drawbacks.


Great MD Player   March 4, 2001
 7 out of 10 found this review helpful

Having a lot of experince with minidisc players, i can easily say that the MZR90 is a great buy. It's practically skip free under all conditions including running. Its recording and titling capabilities are easy and compact. The option for two colors always allows for slight creativity. The remote has display/and playmode features so u never have to be bother to even take the remote out of your pocket. The headphones are foldable for compact storage, or you can use your old ones and plug them right into the remote. If you have a few extra dollars and a need for an MD Player I would get the MZR90.