The Personal Hi-Fi Blog: Sharp MD-MT66 / MD-MT866

~~~ MD-MT866/MT66 ~~~

PORTABLE MD RECORDER

MiniDisc [MD] is a magneto-optical disc-based data storage device initially intended for storage of up to 74 minutes and, later, 80 minutes, of digitized audio. In the form of Hi-MD, it has also developed into a general-purpose storage medium. MiniDisc was announced by Sony in September 1992 and released that November for sale in Japan and in December for the USA and Europe. The music format was originally based exclusively on ATRAC audio data compression, but the option of linear PCM recording was later introduced to attain audio quality comparable to that of a compact disc. MiniDiscs were very popular in Japan but made a limited impact elsewhere. {wikipedia}

Introduction

1999 Sharp introduced the MD-MT66, the smiling Minidisc player: 6/1999 it cost 46,000 Yen As the World's Smallest and lightest MD Recorder as of June 1999. The new laser pickup is super-thin efficient & equipped with the new hologram laser! This cool Unit incorporates low consumption electric power type LSI with a 0.25 um process that uses the latest technology 3 Beam Optical pickup. Edge mounted shuttle Jog dials with Integral Push Button for Labeling and Track selection - Can title while Playing a Track. Special "one Track Record" function. 40 Second Shock memory. Synchro-Recording, sampling rate Converter. Battery charges only when UNIT is stopped. Manual and Auto level Control Recording. comes in 3 unique metal colors: Silver, Pink, and Blue. In 2000 the Sharp MD-MT66 has been awarded the Good Design Award in Japan.

Features

LSI Hologram Chipset (Sharp ATRAC 7)
24 bit DAC and ADC.
40-second shock memory.
Optical input.
LCD Edge lights around the LCD show the operating condition.
3 modes Bass boost.
Top open (clam-shell) disc insertion.
Back-lit LCD remote control.
Analog and digital recording levels.
Mic and digital synchronous start recording.
Disk/track "name stamp" function allows titles to be cloned from another disc.
2 x high-speed playback option on mono recordings.
Conferencing Voice-activated recording.
Charging stand for the supplied flat Nickel-Metal Hydride battery.
The unit can be operated while recharging.
Available in silver, blue, and pink.

Owners Manual - names of parts

Sharp MD-MT866 Original Remote control

MD-MT 866 Original manufactured picture.

Sound Quality

The Sharp MD-MT66/866 has an overall excellent clear sound without any enhancement, a very good sound stage with very nice channel separation. Both Analog and digital sounds are very good. The Mt66/866 has three sound enhancements: Bass 1-2-3. Emphasizing the sound with bass 1 sounds pretty cool for low end bass tracks, while Bass 2 gives a more mesmerizing deep effect for vocals etc and strings. for rock or trance music etc. The enjoyment that is completed by the Bass 3 is more than enough for any enthusiast. Sharp really did a great job with this cool Minidisc, the only downside, unfortunately, is the low sound level which is barely satisfying, however this is a common and known problem for this format.

Power source

Recharge time: Approx. 3.5 hours.

12 hours playback, or 6.5 hours of recording, on a rechargeable battery.
18 hours playback, or 6 hours of recording, on a single AA external battery.
30 hours playback, or 15.5 hours of recording, on a rechargeable battery and the external battery case.
1 AA size battery using the supplied battery case.
1 NiMH rechargeable battery.
Adapter - AC 5V
Power consumption 7W.