Welcome to our great Best Buy guide!
How we work...  It's not easy, to give good advice and actually very complicated, to select the absolute best value... And no advice, will fit everyone... But we are very careful, research deep, investigate more alternatives, have a talent for "systematic analyze" and write only about categories we really know, so I suspect that you always will find the best advice here...
We don't work like magazines, who only compare a few models (once or twice a year) and then give a "best buy" to the best budget alternative... We investigate every new promising product (within a week) in each category... And the products we recommend, are the "best value" alternatives that gives you "very fine qualities" at a nice price and NOT the little cheaper budget version, with lower qualities or some vital missing features... Plus more expensive alternatives, if they really are clearly better... Then is most of the Best Buy's tested with very high grades, by the finest review sites / magazines and always carefully evaluated, by myself...
Sometimes can a producer dominate a category, as Panasonic with six superior digital cameras 2008 but we never let any "feelings" or favouritism colour our judgments and we never guess... So we are sincerely happy if any brand make a better product and when we report about a new product, that might become a Best Buy, does we only call it "promising" until we seen very high grades in fine reviews...
We don't write complete reviews... We "simply" select the Best Buy and any really fine alternatives... Then does we normally explain the advantages, that make it the best choice and point out any negative sides... And we give also some vital advice and explain often what's extra important... And you can naturally use this guide, as a starting point or reference and then try to find something better... Or a good alternative, that have some special quality you love!
Please click here  and email me... If you have any important information (as extra good or bad qualities) about a Best Buy, news about finer worldwide alternatives and finer pictures... But we don't have time to answer questions and finally, nobody have ever complained about any advice... We have "only" got grateful emails, from happy buyers and other experts!!
This guide is normally adjusted, two three times every week... Click here to see some of the greatest news... The prices (in Swedish sek) was the lowest with delivery I found in Swedish sites (including 25% tax) when it's not written as the "max" price... I decided to not show all prices in US dollars and instead use that time, to give better advice... But when I anyhow write an usd price, is that without tax... You may click here and see (in an extra window) how much "Sek, Swedish krona" is in Your money... This guide is written from a Swedish perspective and some products may be more (or less) expensive, in your country and you may naturally find some fine local alternatives, in some countries!
Audio equipment & music
You should first click here  and read the HiFi school... Mainly to find out
what equipment, you actually may need (!) before you continue...
Home Cinema Receivers
Loudspeakers
Head Phones
Equalizer
Mini Disc & Mp3
CD players
Mini System
Tuner and more...
And the finest music - with a nice melody and dynamic nerve!
Home Cinema Receivers With Dolby Digital, DTS and normally over 7x80 watt at 8ohm or 7x110 w at 4ohm, see more about watt measurements below... They have also ProLogic IIx that can "play" old stereo as fine surround.
 We recommend only receivers with excellent sound quality, for both cinema and music. And they must normally have a fine digital equalizer, that you can adjust manually... Since a few "budget" models now have an excellent digital equalizer for every channel, plus bass and treble controls you can use in surround mode. A fine equalizer is extremely valuable, because it give you a dramatically more open and natural sound and can especially remove the ordinary "boxy" sound effect, you still find in most recordings - if you only set it right... And even if you have speakers, that give a very natural and "boxy" free sound, can you optimize your room acoustic with a fine equalizer... Click here to read about the exact advantages with an equalizer, in a new window...
And then has some receivers a noisy fan. See more what's important, just under my recommendations. I will also list some older models here (as long they sound just as good as the last ones) because some shop might suddenly sell them at an extra low price, making that one the best choice... Yes, the price differences between shops are often HUGE on receivers. Remember finally that a fine Cinema Receiver cost about 2 times more than a fine stereo amplifier (which anyhow is amazing cheap) mainly because it must include many more fine amplifiers and a lot of extra functions, plus the radio!
The best home cinema receiver, at a fine price is...
 The slightly brutal looking Onkyo TX-SR606 That offer an excellent deep detailed sound quality and massive power with 7x120w at 8ohm and 7x185w at 4ohm (in test, officially 7x140w at 6ohm or minimum 7x90w at 8ohm) plus a slightly finer 5 band Audyssey equalizer (+-6db at 63, 250hz, 1, 4, and 16 khz) for every channel and additional bass 50hz treble 20khz (+-10db) controls for the "main" front speakers, that also work in surround mode. One reviewer was amazed over the extremely clean cinema sound, that didn't include the normal artifacts of Dolby Digital compression (as occasional distortion of high frequencies) and wrote it gave a greater experience, than ever before. This masterpiece has also Audyssey Dynamic EQ for automatic loudness adjustment (compensate especially for your ears lower bass sensitivity, at lower volumes) and a fine remote, except it has no backlight. It has Audyssey's auto surround calibration with microphone (that handle distance, type of speaker, sound levels and correct the room acoustic) and you can also fine adjust, even if it give impressive or "astonishingly good" auto result according to several reviews. Then has it separate buttons on the front (not a dial) for direct input / source selection, which is very convenient if you have the equipment right beside you. Then has it 4 HDMI inputs (version 1.3a) plus line doubling / upscaling of analog video to 1080i by Faroudjas DCDi Edge (work not very good for 480 video) it handle also the new BluRay sound formats Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, has lip sync up to 100ms, it's even possible to bi-amp (use the power from two extra back channels, for the front speakers) or use the extra back channels for zone 2 in an extra room (where you even can play something else, from another source) frequency response 5 Hz to 100 kHz and Signal-to-Noise ratio 106db, has an Music Optimizer that really improve the clarity from compressed music as MP3 players, display dimmer (two lower steps) has no fan (can be a great "silent" advantage, if you have it close) and weight 11.4kg, at only 5500sek (if inot sold out) or just 400usd in black or silver aluminium... But the equalizer don't work (only the fine tone control's) in zone 2 or with headphones, it get very warm (so it really need some free space above) and the line doubling / upscaling could be better (especially for 480 video) even if a modern TV set normally handle that best. And clearly stronger alternatives from Onkyo, are dramatically more expensive.
And it got recently replaced by Onkyo TX-SR607 that also got excellent reviews, where several wrote that "the sound quality is higher than you get from most twice as expensive receivers" but with different words and this version offer all the advantages above plus Dolby Pro Logic IIz and 6 hdmi inputs, at only 5900sek... But some TV set give better upscaling / upconversion from standard definition video (just as before) it get still very warm (so it really need some free space above) and it has no S-video inputs.
Why Not??
But the lot more expensive Denon AVR-2808 does not sound as good as Onkyo TX-SR805 or Yamaha RX-V 1800 or the older Denon AVR-2807 according to several magazines - so something got very wrong, even if the late 2007 receiver series has a new and truly lovely front design...
Then get Yamaha's receivers, almost always very high grades for superb sound quality and they has also elegant "golden orange" glowing displays... But they don't offer a manual adjustable equalizer...
Harman/Kardon are slightly too expensive. Panasonic (was Technics) Pioneer and JVC are never as good as the above, at same price... Even if some more expensive Pioneer receivers are rather fine.
Warning! Some models turn off the tone controls, when you select home cinema and that can be a BIG problem, if you don't have perfect loudspeakers (with a very "boxy" free sound) and a perfect room, that fit perfect together...
You should also check... That your next amplifier, has Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro logic IIx that gives you fine surround, from any old stereo recordings and clearly improve standard surround. And naturally every connections you may need... For the digital TV box, DVD, BluRay, DAB tuner and old HiFi video... Plus maybe old record player, CD, MD recorder and DV camera. Then is it a lot more convenient with buttons (as few have) to select the input / source, especially if you have the equipment right beside you...
And it is very nice, if the amplifier can drive two pair of front speaker, so you can have as good sound in the bedroom or why not fine "mono" sound, in two extra rooms!!
A real loudness function (as almost none has) is also very good to have... Yes, you hear a lot less bass and treble, at low volumes and with a real loudness, don't you need to adjust the tone controls, as soon you change the volume... Audiophiles don't like loudness because they believe you always should enjoy the music at the same level it was recorded and then you don't need loudness, but then you need a villa and a big garden, or very friendly neighbours. Click here to read even more about loudness, in the HiFi school...
Finally have we also the problem with the watt power measurements... A normal and rather strong receiver may give 5x65 w/ftc/8ohm (at 20-20khz 0.07%dist) 5x75 w/8ohm (at 1khz 1%dist) 5x110 w/4ohm, 5x100 w/dyn/8ohm (often called rms) 5x150 w/dyn/4ohm, 5x200 watt dynamic in 2 ohm and that can make you very confused. The dynamic watt is the peak max, before it clip and "ftc" is the hardest way (at 20hz to 20khz within 0.07 percent distortion, for a long time) to measure. Simply compare the same type of watt OR select after the dynamic watt, that normally is the limit you will hear. The ohm you need, depend on which speaker you use and it's extra good if the amp handle down to 2 ohms, but then goes almost no speakers lower than 2 ohm...
Loudspeakers There are so many promising models, that it's very hard to say which is best and there are especially a lot of unique models in different countries, which naturally make things even more complicated... So I will mainly recommend a few outstanding "international" floor standing full register speakers, that don't need a separate subwoofer and normally work superb with any kind of music... And then can you simply use this recommendations as references, when you go out and compare, until you find your dream... Maybe with help of my listening advice, in the first part of my HiFi school.  But OBSERVE that I only recommend alternatives that offer a very open and clear sound, so you will hear a lot more details than normally and that mean that any bad recording or bad equipment, will also sound much worse than normally... So if you prefer a smooth sound, that especially mask / hide faults and distortion, should you look elsewhere... But don't worry, this speakers don't create any additional annoying effects to the treble and if the recordings or equipment are clean or fine, will you get a perfectly soft and ultra clear sound!!
And the best value (in most countries) is possible... The elegant Klipsch RF-52 That has very happy owners and offer sublime clarity (with more delicious details) deep dynamic bass (from 34 to 23000hz) and very high sensitivity (96db/m/watt) so they need only 50 watt for the same powerful sound that you get with 200 watt and ordinary (90db/w/m) speakers, at only 6920sek/pair... They are also extra slim (17.2cm) so the design match flat screens... But some people feel that Klipsch treble sound too clear and should be softer (as I explain above) so you should listen with high quality recordings, before you choose this alternative.
Then make the Swedish company XTZ the best value active subwoofers, with extremely happy owners and the compact (27x36x38cm) XTZ 99 W8.16 produce massive deep (29-180hz) and very accurate bass, for both music and film, at only 1600sek and if you want GREAT power (from 27hz) is the bigger (422x300x425mm) XTZ 99 W10.16 a magnificent alternative at 2900sek... But they need 50 hours playing to "open" up. And if you can't find XTZ in your country (or import them from Sweden) is the best value active "international" subwoofer Klipsch RW10D that is rather compact (318x452x483cm) work from 28 to 120hz, has also extremely happy owners and can remember separate film and music setting, at 5500sek!
And if you want to play much louder, is the even more efficient Klipsch RF-82 an excellent alternative, that offer 98db at 1 watt (so a 80w amplifier sound as 800w with Elac below) very dynamic deep bass (from 30 to 23000hz) with a very clear sound and more delicate details, according to several reviews and this big speakers look also very sexy (still only 24.1 cm wide) at 10400sek/pair... But some people feel that Klipsch treble sound too clear and should be softer (as I explain above) so you should listen with high quality recordings, before you choose this alternative!
And the finest floor standing alternative is Elac FS 137 JET that probably give even more details, with help of the exclusive ribbon tweeter, has very happy owners and a very dynamic bass, that is greater than the rather slim speaker cabinet suggest (just 22.5 cm wide) at 10000sek/pair... But you need sometimes a fine little subwoofer, too and this one need a lot more power (give only 89db/m/w) is rated for 4 ohm and goes "only" down to 35hz. And some people feel that the treble sound too revealing and should be softer (type hide faults in the music, as I explain above) so you should listen with high quality recordings, before you choose this alternative!
My humble dream budget speakers is anyhow a smarter 5.1 system, because the following type of cabinets would be much cheaper to build... With two very slim symmetric front towers (15cm wide 25cm deep and 110cm high, with rounded front edges and 20x25x3cm stone feet's) that has two very efficient and ultra exact 5 inch midrange elements, at both sides of a truly excellent dome horn tweeter (for minimum 96db at 1m and 1 watt) with front bass ports... So the main sound come from one point and they get easy to place... Plus a 110cm wide centre speaker, so it sound exactly the same... And then a very dynamic active subwoofer (with the centre of the membrane placed on the same distance as the midrange) that "only" work from 28 hertz and up to 90 hertz (at -3db) so you can't directly hear where the low bass sound come from... And two fine dome horn tweeters and midrange elements, directed in a wide angle and not direct, for the back speakers... Or exactly the same towers as in front (at a slightly higher cost) for the back... Then should there be an alternative at same price - with fine ribbon tweeters (in every speaker and then only towers, in the back) for slightly more delicate details and still with rather good efficiency at minimum 90db/m/w... Plus a more expensive subwoofer alternative, with very detailed bass from 22 hertz... And finally two premium alternatives with either sublime ribbon tweeters, that give minimum 93db/w/meters efficiency... Or truly excellent dome horn tweeter, with at least 99db/w/meter efficiency, at same price... Plus the deep digging alternative subwoofer... But this delicious sound candy - that should be rather cheap to build and should look very elegant together with flat screens - does strangely not exist at a moderate price!!
Then does some older speakers from CerwinVega sound extremely good, if they are placed right... Specially the huge models with 15" bass, which normally sound a lot more open and clear than any other speaker, even at a whispering low volume (when almost any other sound muddy) and they are in addition extremely sensitive / efficient, can easy give over 114db clean soft music (illegal at a disco) with a 20 watt amplifier... But, they must first be placed about 40-50cm (from the edge of the bass element) above the floor, which otherwise give bad reflections and bloated bass...
Click a picture, to see the big one!
    
I have two pair of CerwinVega AT100 and these excellent speakers give 98 or 101db (from 1 watt, at 1 meter) with very deep detailed bass and a purely delicious (both accurate and soft) treble, from 28 to 28000 hz... But the mid range doesn't sound better (or worse) compared with the best, of other speakers... CerwinVega are now marketed for people who want "great disco sound" but some of the old models from 1987 to 1993 are actually incredible accurate and sound better that every "high end" speakers I have compared... Friends have come and tested about thirty other models (over ten years time) and everyone prefer mine.
Even if they actually have three problems with the cabinet... First stand the huge speakers (they are 85 to 110cm high) almost on the floor and most models (some new have the bass higher up) must be placed a lot higher up, to not get bad reflections and a bloated bass... Secondly don't the midrange and treble come from the same point... Even if I did change that on my speakers, which have two midrange element... And finally could they have a lot smaller front area, which otherwise produce reflections... So I will maybe make new cabinets, if I got time and then get even closer to the reality!
Some people say that the main secret with CerwinVega, is the patented magnet system (1) that work more like an industrial electromagnet and simply lock the cone directly to the signal, from extremely low levels (2) and in addition work exceptional smoothly, without the usual "magnetic turbulence" and then can the big CerwinVega home speakers, even handle 400 watt (for many hours) and give an unique 127 db of delicious clear music... Okay, the last part is only valuable if you want to play for the neighbours, two blocks away - but that also means, that the old CerwinVega has almost no limitations!
They started with making superior elements (with the unique patent for the magnet flow) continued producing legendary professional speakers and finally did they release home speakers with 15" bass... But since 1994 has the home become much worse... Email me if YOU know anything more about CerwinVega!! Click here to visit CerwinVega!
Studio monitors KRK systems, make small exclusive monitors - with an incredible big, accurate and clear sound (mainly from 4400 to 16000 sek) which is very popular in the finest music studios, with famous artists (as Bryan Ferry, Paul Simon and Yello) and Hollywood... Click here to visit KRK!
We don't grade this excellent products, separately...
Because we only write about the absolute best alternatives,
so they are all in the true  value class!
Headphones The best headphones for mobile use are a few models, that have both great bass and less "tube or boxy" sound... And the best value is...
Sennheiser PX-100 that have a clean, not "boxy"and very detailed enchanting sound, with deep strong bass and high (to 28.000 hertz) silky clean treble...They are in addition foldable and offer both higher and cleaner treble than Koss Porta Pro, at 290sek... But this headphones are open, so you will hear more of the surrounding noise... Then is also Philips SBC HP400 an fine alternative, that have an extra open, almost "box" free and fascinating detailed sound, with deep (not as strong) bass and high silky treble... They are in addition closed, so you will not annoy people around you and you will hear much less from the surrounding noise, at only 200sek... But they sound not totally clean and a bit "confusing" sometimes, they are slightly less efficient and you may need to turn up the bass a step or two.
Equalizer A fine equalizer is normally vital for a truly natural sound...You can click here and see why, in the HIFI school... Yamaha was finally the only company (it's not in the late years catalogs) that did sell a really fine equalizer, which not is too expensive. It should have min -95db noise and max 0.01% distortion... But Onkyo, Kenwood, Sansui and Luxman did also to have fine ones!
First a short and VITAL explanation... The superior MiniDisc system died finally 2008 even if the disc's still was in production 2009 and always may be... The last major home deck recorders from Sony, came 2002 and the last portable recorder from Sharp, came 2004 even if you get slightly worse sound quality with 320kbps mp3 than you get with ATRAC Type-R recordings. Then is MiniDisc also extremely safe and can be recorded (the most "damaging" action) over one million times... So it might actually be very smart to buy "old" but rarely used MiniDisc equipment (especially home decks) that are sold extremely cheap in some countries!!
But if you want to buy new recording technology today, must you record with high bitrates on SEVERAL different HDD or SSD units, because HDD units will crash after some time and even the latest SSD flash memory begin also to die after 10.000 to 100.000 new writes (on the same sector / block and you can read unlimited times) which at least is much better than 10 years ago. And soome cheap cards (of the MLC type) hold only from 1000 new writes... Then is recordable CD or DVD's even worse, with a lifetime from a few months to max 10 years, if you not use very rare Archive Grade disc's (see more at the DVD section) that might hold 25 years - or BluRay disc of the dual metal type (not the "BD-R LTH" version with an organic dye recording layer) that may hold over 50 years...
Hi-MD was the second MiniDisc system from Sony You may first click here to see why you may need a MD recorder and every great thing, you can do with it... Sony did finally develop a dramatically improved MiniDisc system, that offer both excellent quality AND much longer recordings. But if you don't need to record more than 80 minutes on each disc, can you buy a older fine MD recorder instead and get the same excellent quality. HiMD SP mode (ATRAC3plus 256kbps) give recordings of CD quality (according to Sony) or virtually the same excellent quality as fine MD decks with Atrac type R (according to ultra critic audiophiles) and the new 1GB disc store then 7h55min... That is the same record time as 6.4 old 74min MD's (160MB with 292kbps) and you can save 118 four minutes tracks, with this excellent quality!!
HiMD LP mode give recordings of MD quality (according to Sony) or slightly worse than MD LP2 132kbps (according to ultra critic audiophiles) and slightly better than MP3 128kbps (according to deep listening tests) and you can then store amazing 34 hours, that sound exactly as the original with most music... Type 510 four minutes tracks!!! Atrac3plus has especially significantly lower sideband noise, so peak signals are much more cleaner. You can also use old blank 80min MD discs (so they "change" from 177MB to 290MB) and HiMD SP give you then 2h20min, with excellent quality... And HiMD LP store 10h10min. You will get the same extremely secure recordings, that last at least 50 years and the new disc is also possible to record 1.000.000 times... Hi-MD equipment can also play old Minidisc recordings... Some models can even record in the old MD format. Hi-MD microphone and line-input recordings are possible to upload (copy) to a PC system. But only a few of the first models, have line input and mic input. A Hi-MD recorder can in addition be used to store data and files, from a PC system or PDA...
And the best Hi-MD recorder is...
The amazing Sony MZ-RH1 that offer many advantages and especially Digital uploading (5x or faster) of standard old MD recordings (done through mic, analog or digital) via USB (but only with perfect quality as WAV and that take over 700MB for a MD) so you can first make one high quality backup AND then convert that to HiMD. Then has it also a finer HD digital amplifier, high capacity coupling condenser for authentic reproduction of bass, Li-ion battery & charging via USB, from 30% faster USB transfers, a sexy black metal case 104cm3 (or 83.8x84.4x14.7mm) with a very long slim display at one side, that is more easy to view in a pocket... Almost like a micro HiMD deck. And it remember every setting, including last rec level, spectrum analyzer, digital Pitch Control, clearly finer MP3 playback and dynamic normalizer (doing something) at slightly expensive 3050sek or 325usd 2007 with rechargeable battery and charger. And it has also adjustable track marks, separate line in & line out setting, great battery life: minimum 8 hours HiSP rec and 15 hours play... But you can only view titles on the remote, it has no jog / scroll wheel (you can only jump 10 tracks with the group +/- function) and even if you temporary upload your old MD recordings as WAW (that take too much space) will the conversion to HiMD save them with slightly worse quality, which you hopefully not will hear... And it's also hard to find home decks that handle HiMD too... So I personally decided to stay with my "old" ATRAC Type-R system and upgrade to some finer and rarely used recorders (that was sold extremely cheap 2008) instead. Then was Sony MZ-NH910 the best budget alternative, with a big 5 line display, up to 34 hours battery life, very elegant 141cm3 body (80x21x84mm) very happy owners, possibility to store mp3 files directly, plus "High Definition" digital amp, 6 bands equalizer, mic in, line in, USB in and can also store data files, at 2100sek or 177usd 2007 with rechargeable battery and charger. Why Not?!? Sony MZ-NH3D and Sony MZ-NH600D has probably not line in and out, so they work only with a PC connection
The only portable alternative today (that not is very expensive) is a fine mp3 player... But you can't just change to another disc and other music, when you want... So you simply need one that have room for your complete collection and extra space for the near future... And you need 10GB for 80 hours (or 1200 four minutes tracks) of "rather fine" quality MP3 at 256kbps... Or 12.3GB for 80 hours of really high quality MP3 at 320kbps... Or 10.1 Hi-MD discs at HiMD SP for 80 hours of practically the same high quality... So you need a mp3 player, with rather huge storage capacity - if you really want quality... Plus a second HDD disc for a safety copy, because HDD units crash after some time and a modern SSD flash units can "only" be written on 10.000 to 90.000 times before they begin to die (on the same sector / block and you can read unlimited times) not over one million times as MiniDisc... All flash memory write also to the next free sector, until the memory is full and does only note that a sector is ready for a new recording (in a non flash register) instead of writing over "deleted" parts and when every sector is used, does it begin again with the oldest "deleted" sector and that method give them as long life as possible. The main advantages with a really roomy mp3 player, is that you don't have to change the disc and it's rather easy to do a safety backup, to the secondary safety HDD disc. And you must then always do backups or loose everything you forgot to save, if the very sensitive hard disc brake OR when the flash memory's limited lifetime ends!
And the best mp3 player is...
Sony Walkman NWZ-S638F with 8GB internal flash memory (good for 770 four minutes tracks at 320kbps) a fine 2 inch screen (240x320 pixels) under 1 second start up, five bands equalizer (with 2 user memory) an FM radio with 30 station presets and VERY happy owners, that say it sound better (with the extra fine included earphones) than the finest players from iAudio, Creative x-fi and Iriver. It got also excellent "pro" reviews and they especially verify (with different words) that this machine give a clearly richer sound with more details, than Apple's alternatives and the partly metal body is only amazingly 7.5mm thin (totally 29cm3 and 42.9x89.5mm) at 1200sek, with Li-Ion battery (40 hours for music 37 in intense test and 10 for video) and the extra fine MDR-EX082 earphones. It play MP3 (with ID tags, or VBR and up to 320kbps) AAC (only DRM free) PCM WMA and show MP4 MPEG4 (30fps) WMV9 AVC JPEG files - that you simple drag & drop with Media Player 11 or Windows Explorer. Then has it also the unique "SenseMe" function that can shuffle play in 12 different moods / feelings (almost as I sort my music and some people truly love this option) plus 3.5 mm earphones jack, naturally USB 2.0 and it comes in delicate black, deep red, hot pink or strange silver/orange... But you MUST charge from your computer, you can not queue songs or make playlists on the go, you get not gapless playback (but everyone prefer the clearly higher sound quality) it has no line in, maybe not line out either and you can maybe not change the battery...
And if you need more space (type for 1540 four minutes tracks at 320kbps) then is. Sony Walkman NWZ-S639F exactly the same lovely machine with 16GB internal flash memory, at 1635sek...
And if you want a more advanced player, with recording possibilities then is... Cowon iAudio D2 that came 2007 the finest alternative with 2.5 inch TFT touchscreen (clear, bright and good view angles in test, 320x240 pixels and 16 million colors) elegant aluminium body with a matte black frame around the screen and especially sublime sound quality (with finer earphones, but NOT with the included) type dramatically finer than Apple (or Creative Zen) and from slightly better to slightly worse than Sony, according to different reviews. This machine has also line in recoding (which need a special extra cable at 99sek and rec max 256kbps mp3) and play the more advanced music files FLAC Ogg vorbis APE (maybe ATRAC) plus MP3 (max 320kbps with VBS and ID3 tags) WAV WMA , show AVI MPEG4 (30fps) WMV JPG files, store any data files (max 4000 in max 500 folders) and it simply to drag & drop. And 5 band equalizer, with variable bandwidth and one user mode. You can also expand the memory (at a very low cost) with a full size SD card, at only 1610sek with 8GB internal flash memory, internal rechargeable Li-polymer battery and charger. You get also a clock, alarm, sleep function, notebook and basic or scientific calculator. You get 52 hour battery life for music, or 50 to 35 hours in different tests and 10 hours for video. And it has also dictaphone (with 4 step rec volume) radio with 20 presets (that you also can record from) 3.5 mm earphones jack, USB 2.0 and is Audible compatible for audiobooks...
But it can't play ACC files, need 8 screen touch steps to change to a track in another album, then is D2 much "fatter" than Sony (still only 72cm 3 or 78x55.4x16.6mm) the radio has weak / bad reception (according to three owners, even if other is happy) the line out give rather low volume connected to a stereo (according to one owner) and you can not change the battery...
Why Not?!? The low budget E series from Sony, have less good sound quality and some problem with the videos... The slightly clumsy (49cm3 or 48x 93x11mm) iRiver e100 was promising - but the screen is not as good, very few want to buy / review them and some owners have problem with them... And the players from Apple simply sound less good, plus need a special program...
 
The very good looking budget model from Pioneer * An "old" elegant mini Technics
MiniDisc home deck A fine MD deck should first have the very convenient "track selector knob" or "jog dial" and naturally an extremely accurate sound, with help of ATRAC TYPE-R or TYPE-S as the best value: Sony mds-je 480 at 1700sek 2006. The only home decks with Hi-MD are the mini Onkyo MD-105FX at 420usd (205mm wide) and elegant midsize Onkyo MD-133 at ultra expensive 640usd 2006 but they are hard to find outside Japan and I have not found any reviews. Then has Sony mds-je780 and jb980 (or the older fine ja333es, ja555es, jb940, je770, je640, jb930, jb730 and je530) in addition a very useful display (showing record level, track name, number and time, plus a track calendar, at the same time) and more expensive don't sound better. Then has the latest Sony's a "Group Function" to organize the titles in groups. Finally has the older Sony mds-jb940 and ja333es (plus some other exclusive models, but not jb980) a complete "easy to write titles" remote... But you can connect a standard PC keyboard, to some new models as je780/770/640 and jb980 but not je480
Other brands don't sound exactly as good, at the same price... But Pioneer has in addition some fine machines (as MJ-D508 above) that reduce the tape noise from old cassette recordings, when you copy them... Panasonic SJ-MD150 got also some fine reviews and Yamaha mdx595 or 596 is a good looking slim line machine, that gives you excellent sound!
   
The revolutionary Sharp md-dr7 * Elegant Sharp md-mt77 * Sony mzr900 * Sharp 831 as Kenwood
Portable MD with recording Click any pix above, to see bigger versions...
The revolutionary and very elegant Sharp MD-DR7 (DR470 in Europe and DR480 in Singapore) offer clearly finer sound quality (with deeper bass and more detailed sound, according to several reports) than any other portable (actually 20-45% finer sound quality) with help of a unique advanced 1bit digital amp, of 2x8mW and better battery life, with min 27 hour play or 10.5 hour rec. At only 2000sek 2003. This lovely machine have also a BIG five lines display (12 characters title, track number and time, as mt77 but it is ugly green with blue digits in some versions) an extra elegant slim remote control, 5-30 second pre-record (a time machine function) no motor or engine noise, group and MDLP functions, 9sec intro play mode, 3step xbass and 5step treble control, NiMH battery, play speed -30% to +15% and a ultra compact top loaded (101cm3) metal body... But you should absolutely buy better earphones, to really enjoy the sublime sound quality!
The last Sharp MD-DR77 that came 2004 is basically the same fine machine, with slightly different design (102cm3 or 7.89x1.8x7.19cm) and the black version look excellent.
The superior digital amplifier, drive also a very fine budget model, Sharp IM-DR420 at only 1380sek 2003 and this bigger version (177cm3 or 83x28x76mm) use AA batteries... And then has Sharp IM-DR400 and 410 the same amplifier with more elegant design, but no remote and no mic in... But be careful to get the standard earphones adapter, if you buy this machines used...
Then is the old Sharp md-mt77 even more elegant (or mt877 in Europe and also as Kenwood DMC-M7R in nice white design) and even smaller (95.1 cm3) than Sony mzr900 and has the most elegant look ever (in silver, not the light blue) and a very fine price at 3600 sek (before md-dr7 above) but it's now hard to find... It have also a bigger display with 2x12 character and 2/3/10 elements for text & time plus track/ battery/ volume (one 12 digit line show always the disc title) cute 4way jog pad (work as two jog selectors, but with one finger) very small buttons, a fine docking station (but it can't charge while using) MDLP (long play) it's open at side, is very silent (no motor noise as Sony) can auto play, can copy titles (Sony can't) has high precision divide (Sony mzr900 has not) and USB connection, for advanced computer editing... But Sony mzr900 has longer battery life (Sharp play anyhow 12 and rec 6.5 hours, with the same nimh batt) more advanced tone controls (Sharp can anyhow give more and deeper tight bass) you must pause before editing and both give 2x5mw.
Why Not?!? Both Sony and Sharp have models with a NetMD function, that make it possible to download Atrac compressed audio... But you get better quality, if you copy directly from CD discs and normally even radio... So we don't write especially about that function. Sony have also released some very fine models, but Sharp md-dr7 is reported to be clearly better. Older machines and other brands, are not fine alternatives to the late digital amp models from Sharp. As reference, is an old cassette box 131cm3 and a CD jewel case, 176cm3 big...
Warning: Most Sony and Sharp machines, have the extra minidisc coding system "MDLP" that allow for longer alternative recordings in two steps and the first give you max 160 minutes, but with some reduced sound quality. And then up to 320 minutes, with bad quality that ONLY is good for speech and that #%& can only be played on MDLP machines... But you can naturally record, at normal speed and get excellent quality!
More inside Vantage Tech Magazine: Visit the HiFi school, to see why you may need a MD recorder and every great thing, you can do with it... More about selecting a portable MD recorder... Link to more info: Visit MiniDiscOrg to find details on almost every MD unit ever made!
Portable MD players Was the natural alternative, if you have another MD recorder... And the last ones, was only 65-90cm3 big and have very long battery life (16-40 hours) with the internal rechargeable battery... But you should only select a Sharp with 1-bit digital amp or a Sony with HD digital amp. They are very similar in sound quality, but sell at very different prices and then is the size, battery life and the remote control, the biggest difference.
CD players Home deck.. You should actually invest little more, in a fine DVD player as me and they play naturally old CD records... But if you don't want a DVD player, is it anyhow very convenient with a "track selector knob" or "jog dial" and a full display - that show you track number, time and a track calendar, at the same time.
Click a picture, to see the big one!
The incredible (but old) JVC ux-md 9000r micro system!
Mini System Is a category I haven't got time to check, the last years...
How to select a mini system... You should naturally listen carefully (with good test tracks, you are familiar with) before you buy... And remember to set the xbass and equalizers (or tone controls) to compensate the speakers and get the best (natural and balanced) sound, for every machine (that's sometimes done with the remote) before you compare. It should sound clear, with a deep detailed bass, high clear soft treble and not the usual "boxy or tube" sound. You can remove some "boxy" sound if it has an equalizer, see more in the HIFI school below. Then must you check that it has the connections you may need, especially to a MD recorder, DVD player, digital TV box and HiFi video.
The JVC ux-md9000r was an incredible micro system with a MD recorder, rds radio, CD player and diminutive shiny black speakers, that sound both extremely clear, with a very deep warm bass (!) and not "boxy" sound... But it was sold out 2001 for only 4000 sek. Click here
for the complete article, that open in a new window...
Tuner Sony, Denon and Pioneer make very fine tuners, under 1800 sek.
Microphones Sony's tiny ts120 stereo "stealth" tie mic was excellent, but are replaced with ts125 that might be as good... See more here!
CDr, DAT, MP3 and the old cassette system Have simply too many disadvantages to MD records and only a few plus... Click here to read exactly why, in the HiFi school!
Other sites You find also a great collection, with helpful REVIEWS of almost every audio and video product, in eCoustics big free website... Click here to explore... And lick here for links to the finest reviews, of digital cameras!
And the finest music I could find, anywhere!
Yes, taste is very personal... But people use to LOVE the music I like and get a truly delicious surprise, when I play them my findings... So I might have a very good taste and this can be like a treasure map, to the greatest magic in music - if you just have a similar taste!
And I only like music with a nice melody (or a very interesting arrangement) and a dynamic nerve - so there is some drama, that also can be a sensual or cool vibe... And I mainly see fine singing, as another fine instrument - so I don't care about the language or the lyric... Then is a clear "elegant" sound a big advantages (for me) and there may only be a few disharmonies, as a hot spice... So I simply don't like too much noise (distortion) silly low sound quality or annoying instruments, including bad vocal crescendo parts!
To be sure that a CD was worth buying, did I invent following grading scale a long time ago and it's simply to add the points for each fine track, to see how good a CD are...
Nice & error free (or lovely with annoying faults) get 5 points, Delicious (or truly great / single class) 10 Fantastic (maxi class) 20 Heavenly (sale CD class) 30 Magical (cd class) 40 and observe that heavenly is possible, but magic may not be...
Then did I never note from whish album each song came, so you have to figure that out in Google and I don't include my grade of the sound quality, because that may differ on different recordings and note that I also use to fade out ugly end crescendos, so the track time may not be as the original recording... And observe that many recordings need heavy a equalizer correction, even to sound acceptable - type get ok bass and a "non cave" sound!
Yes, I sort also my music in moods or feelings - except the music styles reggae, disco and rock... And the taste differ more at lower points, so I will not include any tracks below 8 points... Which also make it a lot more possible, that YOU really will love this tracks and the only big problem, is that too many of these tracks are rare - type very hard to find...
COOL music * 36 5:02 ELO "One summer dream" (fade out) 33 2:16 ELO "Above the clouds" 33 11:43 Art of noise "Moments of love" 32 4:22 Mono "Life in mono" 31 3:21 Yello "Otto di Catania" 30 5:56 Yello "Of course Im lying" 30 5:18 Mylene Farmer "L'antre" 26 5:51 Anna "Like they do in movies" 26 3:35 Beach Boys "Kokomo" (from the single) 25 5:17 Julee Cruise "Tell your heart" 25 6:13 Julee Cruise "Love come this way" 24 4:34 Charlotte Gainsbourg "L'un part l'autre reste" 22 2:16 Louis Armstrong "What A Wonderful World" 22 3:37 Yello "Desire" 20 5:02 Prince "The beautiful ones" 19 3:45 Ayla "Angel falls - Particular Remix" 19 2:25 Destination "from beginning.. The party's over" 18 4:20 Dave Stewart "Jack talking" 17 1:49 Joanne Whalley "Past, Present & Future" (from radio, not complete) 17 2:35 Agneta Fältskog "Past, Present & Future" 16 5:00 Jimmy BO Horne "Close to you" 16 5:46 Teddy Pendergrass "Come go with me" 16 4:17 LL COOL "I need love" 16 5:04 Irene Grandi "Vai vai vai" 16 3:36 Bowie "Changes" 16 5:19 Dive "Captain Nemo" 16 4:14 Roxy Music "Avalon" 16 5:51 Yves Rénier "La chanson PCV du Commissaire Moulin" 15 1:46 Joe Walsh "Daydream" 15 3:56 Bangles "Eternal flame" 15 4:34 Street band "Toast" 14 4:02 Prince "Damm U" 15 3:03 Roxy Music "As times goes by" (from a tv concert) 14 2:24 Robert Miles "In my dreams" (parts) 13 4:28 Joe Dassin "L'ete Indien" 13 3:41 Candyman "Knocking boots" 13 3:03 Jean Birkin in concert 13 2:26 Peter Skellern "Isn't this a lovely day" (radio, without the beginning) 13 4:11 McLaren "Call a wave" 12 4:34 Dusty Springfield "Daydreaming" 12 4:00 Double "Captain of her heart" 12 3:21 Whitney Houston "Exhale" 12 4:29 Paul Simon "Something so right" 12 2:53 Louis Armsrong "Fantastic, thats you" 12 3:41 Roxy Music "Dance away" 11 3:00 Lennon "Imagine" 11 4:42 Dave Stewart "MrReed" 11 3:26 Barbie (Bard) "Around the world" 11 4:16 Neneh Cherry & Youssou "7 seconds" 10 4:41 10cc "Im not in love" 10 4:34 Roxy Music "Oh Yeah" 10 5:15 McLaren "I like you in velvet" 10 2:55 Alejandro Fernandez "Loco" (live) 10 2:56 Lisa Ekdahl "Vem vet" 10 3:43 Brook Sapphire "So we start" 10 3:32 "This is ponderous" by 2nu
9 points * 3:38 Paul Simon "Was a sunny day" 4:45 Leonard Cohen "In my secret life" 8:08 Pulp "Seductive Barry" 3:25 Jason Donovan "Any dream will do" 3:39 Love C.A. "Rain until we meet again" 3:17 Paul McCartney "Bluebird" 4:45 Roxy Music "These foolish things" 3:58 Chaka Demus & Pliers "Tease me" 4:08 Louis Armstrong "When you wish upon a star" 2:45
8 points * 3:01 INXS "Beautiful girl" 3:22 Stephen Simmonds "Tears never dry" 5:18 Julee Cruise "Falling" Martin Ljung "Visst var det roligt" 2:50 Jobim "Agua de beber" 3:24 Joe Dassin "Et si tu n'existais pas" 4:23 Pj Duncan "I want you" 3:47 AoL "Bienvenue au paradise" 4:18 Flash & the Pan "California" 4:50 ZZtop "Rough boy" 4:54 Julee Cruise "The nightingale" 3:24 Flash & the Pan "Walking in the rain" 4:08 Love And Rockets "So alive"
SEXY music * 38 5:03 Era "Flowers of The Sea" 36 3:19 Serge Gainsbourg "Je taime moi mon plus" (a very rare version with a wild beat, that I never found on record) 36 3:29 French Affair "Comme Ci Comme Ca" 33 3:42 Metisse "boom boom ba" 33 1:13 Mikado "L'exotisme" 30 4:22 Mono "Life in mono" 29 5:11 Charlotte Gainsbourg "Lemon Incest" 28 3:44 Alizee "J'en Ai Marre - live" 27 3:44 Vanessa Paradise "Joe le taxi" 26 2:41 Stephanie "Besoin" 26 2:14 Jazz Lee Alston "Round Black Berry" (only the sexy parts) 24 5:08 Madonna "Erotica" (album version) 23 3:45 Visage "Fade to grey" 22 4:18 Anna "As they do in movies" 22 0:28 Samanta Fox "More More More" (only the beginning) 22 4:03 The Underground Crew "Orgasm" (alternative 1990 version of "Jungle Fever" by Kinkina) 20 3:46 Paradisio "Bailando" 20 3:35 Robert Miles "One & one" with Maria Nayler 19 5:07 Gainsbourg & Birkin "La Decadance" 18 5:14 Madonna "Erotica Original" (the photo book maxi) 18 2:00 Meri Wilson "Telephone man" 18 3:53 "Stars are blind" Paris Hilton 16 3:51 Bardot & Gainsbourg "Je taime" (with stereo & bass, rare) 16 3:56 Stephanie "Fleur du mal" 16 3:45 French Affair "Sexy" 16 2:27 "Rose's theme" from mowie Color of night 16 1:55 Bardot "Je me donne ā qui me plaît" 16 0:27 Baccara (only the intro from) "Bamba" 16 4:10 Touch and Go "Straight To Number One" Buddha Bar mix 15 3:52 Charlotte Gainsbourg "Charlotte for ever" 15 3:10 Matt Bianco "Macumba" 15 4:28 Sergio Mendes "What is This?" 15 4:49 Madonna "Justify my love" 14 3:44 Claude Monnet present Monica Nogiuera "Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais" (by Gainsbourg) 14 1:22 AoL "You come a long way babye" 14 1:38 Mandy Smith "I just cant wait" 14 3:19 Princessa "Ensalza Tu Amor" 14 1:27 Anna Book "November December" 14 6:50 Kinkina "Jungle Fever" (long 1982 version) 13 4:32 Baccara "Yes sir, I can boogie" 13 3:04 Donna Summer "love to love you baby" (maxi) 13 4:20 DuranDuran "All she wants is" 13 4:13 Jane Birkin "Quoi" 12 3:22 Bugsy Malone "My name is Tallulah" 12 1:27 Bardot "L'appareil a sous" 12 5:31 Grace Jones "La vie en rose" 12 2:18 Donna Summer "Prelude to love & Could it be magic" (fade after beginning) 12 9:25 Extreme Erotica "First theme" (not released yet) 12 Verona "La musica" 12 4:23 Princess Superstar "Fuck me on the dancefloor - remix by zio" 11 4:20 Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg "Je taime moi mon plus" 11 2:29 Brigette Bardot "La Madrague" 11 3:12 Scene from the film Gwendoline 11 4:11 4 Ying Yang Twins "Pull my hair"10 3:55 Kylie Minogue "Lets get to it" 10 0:47 Addis black widow (just the beginning) 10 3:09 Pierre Bachelet "Emmanuelle" 10 5:08 Cargo "Pornstar - extended version"
9 points * 3:37 Samantha Fox "touch me" 2:30 France Gall & Gainsbourg "Les sucettes" 4:45 Kylie Minogue "lets get to it" 4:50 Korsakow & Noël "Sweet Poison of your love" 4:44 Deadmau5 feat Melleefresh "Hey Baby" (fadein at 2:20) * And 8 points * 5:46 Stephanie "Flash" 3:47 Niagara "Pendant Que Les Champs brulent" 2:27 Lulu boys "Boom boom" 3:24 Divinyls "I touch myself" 4:18 Haifa Wehbe "Oult Eah" 1:12 Theme of Emmanuelle two 3:38 French Affair "My heart goes boom" 2:16 End song of Emmanuelle two 8 2:15 Julie Brown "Cause I'm a Blond"
REGGAE * 28 3:53 Serge Gainsbourg "Daisy temple" 26 4:06 Grace Jones "Pars" 25 2:49 Serge Gainsbourg "Vieille Canaille" 22 3:11 Freddy MacGregor "Just don't wanna be lonely" 18 3:24 UB40 "Cant help falling in love" 18 4:28 Grace Jones "Libertango" 16 4:18 Grace Jones "Walking in the rain" 16 3:47 UB40 "Kingston town" 15 3:06 Serge Gainsbourg "Javanaise remake" 12 2:43 Bob Marley "Buffalo soldier" 12 5:10 Grace Jones "Private life" 12 3:38 Aswad "Shine" 12 4:21 Boy George "Everythig I own" (max) 12 3:29 Boris Gardiner "I wanna wake up with you" 12 4:04 Chaka Demus & Pliers "Tease me" 11 4:20 Culture Club "Do you really want to hurt me" 11 3:17 Bob Marley "Jamming" 10 3:13 Serge Gainsbourg "Eau et gaz.. & Pas long feu" 10 3:34 Bob Marley "Could you be loved" 10 3:00 Serge Gainsbourg "Aux armes et caetera" * 9 points * 3:21 Mango Kings "Under di Mangotree" 3:02 Dawn Penn "no no no" 7:13 Boy George "everythig - Botha mix" 6:43 Grace Jones "The Apple stretching" * 8 points * 3:35 Maxie Priest "Wild World" 3:35 Chaka Demus & Pliers "Gal wine" 3:10 Shaggy "Oh Carolina" 3:32 Duke Baysee "Sugar sugar"
GREAT music * 40 6:18 Mylene Farmer "Ainsi soit je.." 36 5:01 ELO "One summer dream" 33 2:16 ELO "Above the clouds" 30 5:17 Mylene Farmer "L'antre" 30 5:24 Pavarotti & Zucchero, live "caruso" 25 to 05 Pink Floyd "Drak side of the moon (with the tracks) "Speak to me & breathe in the air (from Dark live) - Time - The great gig in the sky (from dark live) - Money - Us & them - Brain damage - Eclipse" 25 1:00 ELO "Tightrope" (just the intro) 25 4:24 Queen & Elton "Show must go on" 24 6:33 Sweetbox "Don't go Away" (vers 1 & 2 on CD maxi) 24 4:50 Grandaddy "He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's the Pilot" (not the youTube versions) 22 11:40 Enigma "Principles of lust - Sadeness - Find love - Sadeness reprise" 22 7:07 Jean Michel Jarre & Natacha Atlas "C'est la vie" 22 to 10 Rick Wakeman "The myth and legends.. (with the tracks) Arthur - Lady of the lake -Sir Lancelot and the black night - Merlin the magician - Sir Galahad - Guinevere (only the beginning of the beginning) - The last battle" 22 to 08 ELO "Concerto for a rainy day (with the tracks) Standin in the rain - Big wheels - Summer and lightning -Mr Blue Sky - Believe me now - Steppin out" 20 0:18 20century Fox "theme" 20 3:25 Tina Turner "Golden Eye" (the 007 theme) 20 4:22 ABBA "Happy new year" 20 3:01 ABBA "The way old friends do" 20 6:37 Dana International "Free" (from tv) 20 6:41 Rick Wakeman "Judas Iscariot" (fadeout) 20 3:56 Lennon "Starting over" 19 3:10 Sweetbox "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright" 19 1:53 Wakeman "The empty vessel" voice of Nina Wakeman 18 5:44 Gary Moore "Parisienne walkways" 18 3:47 Rick Wakeman "Funerailles" 18 2:56 Miquel Brown "When did it all begin to end" 18 1:21 Pink Floyd "One of the few" 18 2:42 Kellys heroes "Burning bridges" 16 9:20 Enigma "Back to the rivers of belief" 18 3:02 Alan Parsons Project "Dont let it show" (from robot) 16 9:07 Frankie goes to Hollywood "Two tribes" 16 3:52 AoL "Supernatural" 16 4:00 Supertramp "If everyone was listening" 16 2:28 Ronettes "Be my babye" (extra groovy version, but not complete) 16 2:07 Beatles "Sgt Peppers lonely hearts club band - With a little help from my friend" 16 3:35 Beatles "The long and winding road" 15 4:28 Beatles "A day in the life" 15 2:58 Lennon "Imagine" 15 4:19 Rick Wakeman "The maker" and first seconds of "Spaceman" 15 4:35 Cats "Memory" 15 3:53 Sandra "Secret land" 15 7:10 Robert Miles "Children, the dream" 15 5:42 Mylene Farmer "Agnus Dei" 15 2:16 Supertramp "Crime of the century" 15 2:52 Supertramp "Casual conversations" 15 4:20 Alan Parsons Project "Prelude & arrival" (from poe) 14 3:47 Erika "In the arms of a stranger" 14 5:29 Frankie goes to Hollywood "The Power of love" 14 4:34 Enigma "Mea culpa" 14 4:32 ELO "Telephone line" 14 3:48 Whitney "I will always love you" 14 6:15 Mike Batt "Tarota" 14 Mike Batt "The night of the dead - The dead of the night - Run like the wind" 14 2:11 Sailor "Jacaranda" 14 3:34 Pink Floyd "Paranoid eyes" 14 6:37 Elton John "Song for Guy" 14 3:08 Beach Boys "California dreamin" 14 4:03 Lennon "Just a jealous guy" 14 3:03 Beatles "Here comes the sun" 14 2:26 Beatles "Girl" 13 2:17 Petrus "China in my head" (from tv) 13 1:48 Rick Wakeman "The reaper" (only the end) 13 4:22 Alan Parsons Project "The eagle will rise again" (from pyramid) 12 4:30 Rick Wakeman "Jane Seymour" 12 4:11 Enigma "Callas went away" 12 3:48 Nina Hagen "Zarah" 12 3:47 ELO "Strange magic" 12 3:01 Goldfrapp "Utopia" (fast version) 12 4:00 Goldfrapp "Utopia" (slow promo version) 12 5:29 Pink Floyd "The gunners dream" 12 1:15 Pink Floyd "Get your filthy hands off my desert" 12 2:13 Pink Floyd "Southamton docks" 12 5:40 Elton John "Don't let the sun go down on me" (from the Rio concert) 12 4:03 Mike Batt "Voices in the dark" 12 2:59 Beatles "Something" by Harrison 12 2:56 Beatles "Penny lane" 11 3:17 Beatles "All you need is love" 11 3:22 Alan Parsons Project "In the lap of the Gods" (from pyramid) 11 3:35 Mike Batt "Losing your way in the rain" 11 3:34 The Mo "Nostalgia locomotive" (maxi) 11 5:16 Mylene Farmer "De'senchantee" 11 2:48 Beach Boys "God only knows" 11 4:06 Rick Wakeman "Rienzi/Chopsticks fantasia" 11 3:07 Rick Wakeman "Orpheus song" 11 5:07 Supertramp "My kind of lady" 10 4:49 Supertramp "A soapbox opera" 11 4:24 Sinead O'Connor "Nothing compares 2U" (cut version) 10 2:48 Rick Wakeman "Silent prayer" 10 3:08 ELO "Eldorado overture.." 10 5:35 ELO "Shangrila" 10 1:59 Enigma "The voice of enigma" 10 4:30 Mylene Farmer "Sans logique" 10 3:36 Guns N Roses "Since I don't have you" 10 3:10 Pink Floyd "Another brick in the wall part 1" 10 3:12 Pink Floyd "Nobody home" (fade out) 10 11:02 Pink Floyd "Shine on your crazy diamond" 10 4:02 Elton John "Your song" (from the Rio concert) 10 6:10 Elton John "The one" (from the Rio concert) 10 13:39 Frankie goes to Hollywood "Welcome to the Pleasure Dome" 10 6:10 Frankie goes to Hollywood "War" 10 3:35 Beach Boys "Good vibrations" 10 2:03 Beatles "Yesterday" by McCartney 10 2:58 Lennon "Woman"
9 points * 4:52 Mylene Farmer "California" 5:10 Mylene Farmer "Nous souviendrons nous" 5:13 Mylene Farmer "Regrets" 4:07 ELO "It's over" 4:11 Pink Floyd "the Fletcher memorial home" 2:20 Rick Wakeman "Excelsior song" 3:48 Elton John "Candle in the wind" 5:43 Elton John "Nikita" 3:12 Elton John "Goodbye yellow brick road" 3:55 Frankie goes to Hollywood "Relax" 3:41 Supertramp "Slowmotion" 1:00 Supertramp "Aint nobody but me" 3:40 Supertramp "Poor boy" 1:24 Supertramp "Even in the quietest moments" 5:31 Peter Gabriel "Here comes the Flood" 7:23 Alan Parsons Project "A dream within a dream & the Raven" 4:00 Alan Parsons Project "Some other time" 5:01 Alan Parsons Project "I robot" 0:55 Alan Parsons Project "Genesis" 3:18 McCartney "Bluebird" 2:37 Beatles "Michelle" 3:52 Beatles "While my guitar gently weeps" by Harrison 5:00 10CC "Dreadlock holiday" 3:38 Queens "Barcelona" (live) 5:49 Dire Strait "Private investergations" 3:43 Kim Carnes "Betty Davis eyes" 4:10 Spandau Ballets "Trough the barricades" 3:47 Rialto "Anything Could Happen" 4:57 Eagles "Hotel California" 6:44 Eagles "Hotel California" (live) 3:32 INXS "Never tear us apart" (live) 5:13 Mylene Farmer "Pas de donte" 2:14 Niel Sedaka "Oh Carol" 9 5:08 "Night and day" with U2 live
8 points * 2:30 Ronettes "Baby, I Love You" (extra wide stereo version) 5:42 Mylene Farmer "Il n'y a pas d'ailleurs" 5:30 Mylene Farmer "Je t'aime melancolie" 5:03 Mylene Farmer "L'Horloge" 4:18 Mylene Farmer "Au bouit de la nuit" 4:22 Mylene Farmer "Redonne-moi" 4:43 Pink Floyd "The final cut" 2:27 Pink Floyd "Is there anybody out there" 3:35 Rick Wakeman "Love's dream" 2:44 Elton John "Harmony" 4:14 Elton John "Cry to heaven" 3:46 Elton John "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" 4:45 Elton John "The North" 5:16 Supertramp "Rudy" 5:34 Supertramp "School" 10:28 Supertramp "Fools Overture" (live Paris) 2:09 Supertramp "Easy does it" 4:28 Alan Parsons Project "Pavane" 3:20 Diana Ross "Mahogany" 2:46 Frank Zappa "Bobby Brown" 4:46 Dire Straits "Brothers in arms" 2:10 Rambo II intro 4:27 IL DIVO "Si tu me amas" 4:55 IL DIVO "The Adagio" (from Arena at Pula) 4:20 Monty Phython "Every sperm is great" 6:05 10cc "Don't hang up" 3:45 Boomtown rats "I don't like mondays" 3:33 Paul McCartney "Beautiful night" 3:50 John Miles "Music" 4:03 Vienna Parade "Wonderland" 2:40 Bo Caspersons Orkester "Resa med enkel biljett" 2:53 Cornelius Vreeswijk "Balladen om Herr Fredrik Åkare och den söta fröken Cecilia Lind" 3:02 Cornelius Vreeswijk "Deidres samba" 2:43 ?? "Sandman" 2:32 Jan & Dean "Surf city" 2:35 Beach Boys "California girls" 2:13 Little Eva "The Locomotion" 2:40 Chubby Checker "Slow Twistin" 1:36 Mike Batt "Bourree" 2:43 Mike Batt "The fires of rabat" 0:45 Peter Gabriel (the end of) "Moribund"
DISCO * 36 22:33 Alec R.Costandinos & the syncophinic orchestra "Hunchback of Notre Dame" (arr: Don Ray - but need heavy bass equalization to sound great and not boxy) 33 3:19 Serge Gainsbourg "Jetaime moi mon" (rare version with a wild groovy beat, from radio - want the whole track) 28 3:44 ERA "Ameno" (disco remix) 26 3:42 Visage "Fade to grey" 25 3:26 AoL "Lit de parade, radio edit" (need strong bass equalization to sound great and not boxy) 24 6:33 Sweetbox "Dont go Away" (1&2 on CD maxi) 24 5:14 Madonna "Erotica" (album version) 22 3:10 Dana International "Free" (fade in from 3:25 in original) 22 3:33 AoL "Crucified" 22 3:20 Sash! "Stay" 22 7:55 Kimera & the Operaides "The lost opera" 22 4:03 Kinkina "Jungle Fever" (alternative 1989 version) 21 4:09 Phyllis Nelson "Move closer" 20 15:42 Hot RS "House of the rising sun" (by Kevin Kruger) 20 34:14 Festival "Evita" (by Boris Midney) 20 3:43 AoL "Obsession" 19 2:28 Destination "from beginning.. The party's over" 19 3:21 ?? (tu fu tu flame, in french) 18 5:24 Snap (slomo vers, feat. Rukmani) "Rame" 18 5:11 Madonna "Erotica" (original book version) 18 3:05 Diana Ross & Supremes "medley of hits" (maxi A slutet) 18 3:09 Fredrik Kempe "Vincero" 16 4:26 ORB "Little Fluffy Clouds" (as the Cumulonimbus mix) 16 2:30 Ronettes "Be my babye" (extra groovy version, but not complete) 16 4:33 Baccara "Yes Sir, i can boogie" 16 3:45 French Affair "Sexy" 16 4:09 Madonna "Justify my love" 15 8:13 DeeLite "What is love" (maxi B2&1) 15 9:16 Propaganda "Machinery" (maxi) 15 4:11 Enigma "Sadeness & reprise" 15 6:10 Enigma "Rivers of belif" 14 7:42 Mel Brooks "the Hitler rap" (maxi) 14 1:22 Magic Affair "Give me all your love" (a short part) 14 3:34 ?? (Com en fou, in france) 13 3:50 Dr Alban "Sing Hallelujah" 13 2:17 Petrus "China in my head" 13 4:58 Jimmy BO Horne "Close to you" 13 4:25 DuranDuran "All she wants is" 13 6:42 Sabrina "Multimegamix" 12 8:20 Madonna "Into the groove" (fade out) 12 3:43 Guru Josh "Infinity" 12 3:50 Bonnie Pointer "I can't help 12 4:23 4 Princess Superstar "Fuck me on the dancefloor - remix by zio" 11 6:17 Lionrock "Packet of peace" myself" 11 3:30 AoL "Venus & mars" (cd maxi, radio edit) 11 9:06 Frankie goes to Hollywood "Two tribes" 11 3:14 Jennifer Rush "Yesterme.." 11 4:19 Boney M "Rivers of Babylon" 11 Verona "Stay With Me" 11 7:40 Poussez "You're all I have" 10 7:50 Poussez "Never gonna say goodbye" 10 5:41 Sabrina "Boys / summertime love" 10 3:05 Jam & Spoon "Right in the night" 10 3:46 Paradisio "Bailando" 10 3:30 AoL "Venus & mars, antiloop mix" (cd maxi) 10 6:10 Sash! "Mysterious times - remix" 10 4:44 Deadmau5 feat Melleefresh "Hey Baby" (fadein at 2:20)
9 points * 3:41 DrAlban "freedom" (live) 4:33 Yello "Lost Again" 4:16 Webber "Phantom of the Opera" 3:57 Boney M "Sunny" 4:18 AoL "Dub evolution" 4:12 Dr Alban "One love" 6:54 Poussez "Come on and do it to me" 13:44 Love & kisses "Accidental Lover" 3:22 Blondie "Heart of glass" 3:53 Mylene Farmer "De'senchantee" 4:03 Saint Etienne "He's on the phone" 3:52 AoL "Supernatural" 4:12 Robin S "Luv4luv" 3:27 Eruption "One way ticket" 3:00 Eruption "I cant stand the rain" 6:14 Sash! "Equador" (remix) 6:22 Sash! "Stay" (dreamy echo remix) 1:58 Afrodite "Turn it up" 3:13 Sash! "Adelante"
8 points * 5:53 Iren Cara "Flashdance, what a feeling" 4:25 David Bowie "Lets dance" 2:40 "Disco Chicken" 7:26 Andy Williams "Love Story" (maxi) 6:36 Bassheads "Its there anybody out there" 3:06 Verona "Stay With Me" 2:41 Scatman John "Im the scatman" 6:25 Children of dub "transidental" 4:28 Carol Douglas "Doctors order" 4:48 Kylie Minogue "Lets get to it" 3:49 Three Degrees "Givin up, givin in" 2:07 Lou Bega "I got a girl" 3:29 Harold Fluke "Bullit" 3:22 Paradisio "Bailando Extreme" 6:57 Jackie Moore "This time babye" (maxi) 7:02 Sash! "Stay" (echo remix) 6:18 Madonna "Where's the Party" (dub version) 1:59 Nadia Oh "Shake it"
ACTIVE music * 25 4:24 Ten Sharp "You" 24 4:24 Fire Inc "Tonight.." 22 3:03 Alan Parson "Dont let it show" 20 4:17 Fire Inc "Nowhere fast" 20 3:56 Lennon "Starting over" 20 3:35 Robert Miles "One & one" with Maria Nayler 20 2:42 Kellys heroes "Burning bridges" 18 4:56 Billy Idol "Catch my fall" 18 4:20 Dave Stewart "Jack talking" 16 1:00 DSL "advertising" 16 3:28 Tess "The second you sleep" 16 3:15 Lena Zavaroni "River deep, mountain high" 16 4:56 Billy Idol "Eyes without a face" 15 8:23 Billy Idol "White wedding" 16 3:36 David Bowie "Changes" 15 2:55 Nusa Derena "Energy" (the 2001 contribution of Slovenia) 15 4:12 Sisters of mercy "More - live" 14 2:35 David Bowie "Life on Mars" 14 3:18 AoL "Lit de parade, video edit" 13 6:16 Billy Idol "Dont need a gun" 12 6:46 Liza Minelli "Losing my mind" (maxi version) 12 3:46 Paradisio "Bailando" 12 3:08 The Beach Boys "California dreamin" 12 4:40 David Bowie "Five years" 12 3:33 David Bowie "Soul love" 11 2:45 Madonna "Santa Baby" 11 3:00 Eirikur Hauksson "Valentine Lost" 11 4:00 Billy Idol "Beyond belief" 11 5:05 Supertramp "My kind of lady"
9 points * 4:35 Billy Idol "All summer single" 3:33 INXS "Never tear us apart - live" 4:43 Barry Ryan "Eloise" 2:32 David Bowie "Rock'n'roll suicide" 7:38 David Bowie "Lets dance" 5:32 David Bowie "China girl"
8 points * 3:43 Billy Idol "Fatal charm" 4:10 Dusty Springfield "In private" 3:58 ZZ top "Gimme all your lovin" 4:03 Dire Strait "Money for nothing" 3:14 David Bowie "Modern love" 3:07 David Bowie "Here comes the night"
ROCK * Most tracks of Billy Idol and David Bowie above, can also be included here and yes, I find other "rock" recordings too distorted or badly played - even if I did love Deep Purple a long time ago, before I got better equipment... * 28 3:26 Mott thee Hoople "The golden age of rock 'n' roll" 26 5:15 Joe Walsh "Rocky mountains way" (the lousy sound live videos on youTube, don't make him justice) 25 3:07 Mott thee Hoople "Roll away the stone" 19 2:28 Mott thee Hoople "Foxy Foxy" (fade out) 18 4:28 Joe Walsh "Song for Emma" 15 1:46 Joe Walsh "Daydream" 14 3:21 Mott thee Hoople "All the way from Memphis" 13 5:32 Joe Walsh "Dreams" 10 1:01 Joe Walsh "All night laundry mat blues" 9 2:44 Joe Walsh "Book ends" 8 5:23 Mott thee Hoople "Hymn for the Dudes"
ROMANTIC CLASSIC * 22 2:19 Tchaikowsky "Danse des mirlitons" 20 8:22 Johann Strauss "On the blue donau" 20 1:09 Tschaikowsky "Danse chinoise" 20 3:16 Grieg "Anitras dance" 19 1:36 Tschaikowsky "Swansee, no5 tempo di valse" 19 8:35 Johann Strauss "Die fledermaus overture" 18 2:31 Johann & Josef Strauss "Pizzicato polka" 18 6:41 Mozart "kv467 Elvira Madigan" 18 6:55 Tschaikowsky "Walse des fleurs" 18 5:12 Rodrigo "Concierto de Aranjuez" 18 2:45 Bach "Largo, ur Pianokonsert nr5" 18 8:46 Tschaikowsky "Danse des cygnes no13 part1-4 & 6" 14 4:06 Tjajkovskij "Walse, törnrosa" 1710:58 Johann Strauss "Tales from Vienna woods" 17 1:35 Tchaikovsky "Danse de Fee Dragee" 16 3:36 Johann Strauss "Im Krapfenwald'l polka" 16 4:07 Vivaldi "Largo, from R443" 12 6:30 Waldteufeln "Skridskoåkarna" 10 10:07 Johann Strauss "Artist life / Kunstlerleben op316"
10 9:10 Johann Strauss "Accelerationen, op234"
9 points * 6:04 Gluck "Dans i de saligas.. ur Orfeus.." 2:56 Beethoven "fur Elise" 9:51 Johan Strauss? "Wiener blut" * 8 points * 5:18 Albinoni "Adagio, ur Oboekonsert op9 nr2" 2:35 Satie "Gymnopedi nr 1" 5:14 Beethoven "månskenssonaten"
GREAT CLASSIC * 26 2:44 Bach "Toccata con fuga" 25 2:33 Grieg "In the halle" 22 to 14 Tschaikowsky "Schwanensee no18 - no03 - no10 - no24 - no09 - no29" 22 6:36 Elgar "March no1 pomp & circumstance" 20 11:28 Albinoni "adiago for organ & violins" 18 3:45 HC Lumbye "Homage March" 18 2:15 HC Lumbye "Champagne galop" 18 3:37 Vivaldi "Spring, begining" 18 13:51 Ravel "Bolero" 18 9:23 Chopin "Laghetto ur Pianokonsert nr 2" 16 3:05 Pavarotti sings "Turandot" 16 7:47 Ponchielli "timmarnas dans" 15 13:59 Tchaikowsky, Symfoni nr 5 "Andante cantabile" 15 4:10 Prokofjev "Montague ur Romeo & Julia" 15 6:50 Beethoven "nr5 ödessymfonin" 14 2:00 ? Film music from Casino 14 2:24 HC Lumbye "Pepita polka" 12 3:28 Farnon "State occation" 10 2:32 Tjajkovskij "Pianokonsert nr 1 op23 intro" 101:03 RimskijKorsakov "Bumblebee" 103:34 Strauss "Im krapfenwaldl polka" 10 2:15 Three tenors sing "La donna e mobile"
9 points * 2:19 Verdi "La donna e mobile" (with Pavarotti) 8:43 Mozart "Symfoni nr40, part one" * 8 points * 2:20 Johann Strauss "Explosions polka" 2:34 Strauss "Radetzky marsch" 2:25 Johan Roman "Allegro con spirito" 7:30 Siberlius "Finlandia" 9:37 Beethoven "Overture Coriolan, op62" 11:23 Gioacchino Rossini "Ouverture Guillaume Tell"
RONDO VENEZIANO (a delicate mix of classic and pop arrangements) * 18 0:40 "Piano concertos" 16 0:51 "Chairo de luna" 14 3:07 "Ritorno a Venezia" 13 3:28 "Arcobaleno" 12 5:02 "Romanza" 12 2:36 "Armonie" 10 8:00 "Fiaba antica, part 1" 9 3:04 "Misteriosa Venezia" 8 4:09 "Specchio della laguna" 8 2:25 "Corso delle gondole"
SPAIN (to smooth for the cool section) * 20 18:49 "Boleros 2" 18 15:50 "Tango a media luz" 05 13:26 "Canciones toda la vida"
Then have I two times as many tracks with grade 5 to 7 - but at that point will the taste differ more... And if you know some delicious music, that I really should love and possible give 8 to 40 points (according to the tracks above) are you very welcome to tell me!
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Best Buy - part two
Selecting a portable MD recorder, a personal view... Sound quality and "no general problem" should naturally come first... Then can't some machines (especially from Sony, JVC and Panasonic) play loud enough or with strong bass... Any kind of "jog track selector" is very handy and long battery time for playing (specially on internal batteries, if you want a micro machine) is rather vital... Plus a noise free mic input, if you want to record...
Other good, but not so important qualities... Is a clear display with many segments (for rec volume and battlife) and many characters, back light and slot-in (which is convenient but bulky) and getting lithium battery, which you can charge anytime...
Finally I like good controls, that is easy to find in a pocket and have fine feeling... Then is it good if they are hard enough, so you don't need the hold function all the time... Other stuff... A ten second memory buffer, is normally more than enough for MD because it reads four times faster, than the music plays and it read in very small portions, so it can try many many times and then read right, before the buffer is empty and it skip... 40 sec buffer, is mostly included because many CD players have that (and they really need that or more) so people may think, that less buffer on a MD payer is worse... A combined line out and headphone connection (as Sharp) is finally better than separate, because you can select the line out level and bass response.
About sound levels.. 2x5mw for the headphones, give you 3db less sound level than 2x10mw... But it may be bigger difference between the ear plugs and even that may be another good reason to buy Koss sportapro headphones, which gives you about 10db higher level!
Microphones Sony's tiny ts120 stereo "stealth" mic is excellent and the new 125 model is possible the same, but... Warning for the "direct plug" mic (without any cable) which pic up an annoying whining from the MD engine...
The tiny Sony ecm-ts120 stereo mic, is rather directional (possible binaural) and sound truly excellent (to my great surprise) specially compared with the modest cost, of just 80 dollar, here... And that's including an alligator clip and an extra active battery adapter, so it also works with passive inputs... Finally it even look expensive, with a dark titanium grey (just 26x10.5 mm) metal body and "chrome" details!
I am not sure its a very "low noise" mic, but I can record a low speaking voice and bird songs, without any background noise (just with plug in power, on my Sharp 701) and even recordings of music from speakers (!) sound very accurate (clear and with deep bass, but the spec is 100-15000hz) and that's rather difficult for a mic...
With a fine portable MD recorder, you have the great possibility to TEST most extra equipment and really hear the quality... Otherwise I wouldn't dare to suggest something so cheap, even if its possible to make superior electret condenser mic's (made in long series) at very low cost!
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