Aiwa Players

Features:

• ATRAC DSP Type-S.
• Headphone cord retracts into LCD-remote.
• Group mode functions.
• Available in silver, blue, green and pink.

Links:

• Aiwa Japan page
• Minidisc T-Station page

Reviews:

Features:

• E.A.S.S. GP shock protection
• Backlit LCD remote

Links:

• Aiwa/Sony (Japan)
• AVWatch (Japan)

Reviews:

Features: Targeted at teenagers and young women in their 20s, users can create their own original MD player by placing a printed film, photo, or illustration inside the large front panel on the AM-HX300's main unit. MDLP long-time playback mode, MD Group function compatible, battery charger stand, program search function that automatically lists the names in Japanese kana and alphanumeric order (allowing users to view the titles on the remote control unit's LCD panel and select a favorite song), sentence repeat function, 25-track programming, 40-second/80-second (LP2)/160-second (LP4) skip-preventing memory.

Links: Aiwa's official Japanese page for the AM-HX300. T-Station has some further information on the AM-HX300.

Specs: 3.8mW+3.8mW output.

Reviews:

Features: Playback starts in approximately 0.6 seconds after start (unit achieves this short time by reading and storing the music data in the main unit's memory when the disc is first inserted, retained whether the power is turned on or off). MDLP long-time playback mode, MD Group function compatible, battery charger stand, program search function that automatically lists the names in Japanese kana and alphanumeric order (allowing users to view the titles on the remote control unit's LCD panel and select a favorite song), sentence repeat function, 25-track programming, 40-second/80-second (LP2)/160-second (LP4) skip-preventing memory.

Links:

• Aiwa's official English page for the AM-HX400 (local copy).
• T-Station has some further information on the AM-HX400.
• Minidisco sells this unit.

Specs: 3.8mW+3.8mW output.

Reviews:

Features: Smallest and lightest portable MD player as of May 2001. MDLP compatible. Includes clip-type headphones that wrap behind one's ears, with pause and play buttons located on the headphone housing. 40-second anti-shock protection (160 seconds in LP4 mode), unit is recharged by being placed in recharging stand, sentence repeat function, LCD can be disabled to extend battery life, backlit LCD remote control,

Links: Aiwa's official English page for the AM-HX150. A Japanese press release covering the AM-HX150.

Specs: 8mW x 2 output. Times listed are for SP/LP2/LP4 modes.

Reviews:

Features: World's smallest and lightest portable MD player, with longest playback time (as of April 2001). MDLP and Group Function compatible. 40-second anti-shock protection, remote control has 10-character backlit LCD, sentence-repeat function, unit is recharged by placing it in recharge stand, power-saving mode to extend battery life (by disabling the LCD), programmable alarm functions, available in silver, black, and blue.

Links: Aiwa's official English page for the AM-HX100. The T-Station also has a page on the Aiwa AM-HX100.

Specs: 8mW per channel. 100V AC when using included AC adapter. Times listed are for SP/LP2/LP4.

Reviews:

Features: MDLP support. All-titanium body (first for Japanese market) with double the rigidity of aluminium. Sentence repeat function (to assist language learning): using any 0.5-second silence as an identifier, unit will repeat the "sentence" 9 times. "Digital tone processor" allows for bass/treble adjustment (-6 to +6). Alarm function (settable from 1 to 180 minutes), 25 track program play, power save mode ("PS"), as on previous Aiwa players. 10 chararcter backlight multi-jog remote. Track select during playback has been updated: when viewing the track list during playback, the tracks are displayed in sorted order (Japanese titles sorted in Japanese character sort order).

Accessories included: LCD remote control, stereo headphones, battery charger stand, AC adapter, nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery, battery case, carrying case, clip for remote control unit, rechargeable battery carrying case.

Links: Aiwa's English and Japanese pages for the unit. JIJ Announcement (Japanese).

Specs: 8mW+8mW headphone output. 20-20,000Hz, +-1dB (with 10 ohm load). 1 bit DAC.

Reviews:

Features: 40-second anti-shock protection, backlit LCD remote, "Digital Tone Processor", "sentence repeat" function, alarm function (1 minute to 3 hours), 1-bit D/A converter, 25-track program mode, 3-point battery check indicator.

Links: Aiwa's Hong Kong website has a page for the AM-HX77. T-Station has an Aiwa AM-HX77 info page.

Reviews:

Features: Power-save function extends battery life (see battery table below). 25-track programmable playback function, digital tone processor (bass/treble control), 40-second anti-shock memory, and several alarm functions. A "sentence repeat" mode will loop a portion of audio that has at least half-second moments of silence at each end, supposedly this feature is useful when learning another language and using MiniDisc.

Links: Aiwa's official page for this unit. Josh Pelland wrote up a great in depth review of his player.

Specs: 8mW per channel.

Reviews:

Features: Available in three colors, power save feature allows unit to run for an extended period of time, backlit LCD remote control, alarm function, 40-second skip protection, three step base boost.

Links: Aiwa's English page for this unit.

Reviews:

Features: 25 track program play mode, 40-second anti-skip buffer, alarm function, program search, backlit LCD,

Reviews:

• Tim Yocum writes a review of the AM-HX55.

Links: Aiwa's English page for this unit. R.M.Morrien has started an Aiwa AM-HX55 page, with some good photos of the unit. Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.

Specs: headphone output 8mW per channel (load impedance 16 ohms), NiMH battery DC1.2V, 1 AA alkaline battery DC1.5V, 100 VAC household current.

Features: Was smallest, lightest portable player with longest battery life for a short period of time (July 1999). Display of both the disc name and track number on the remote, programmable playback, backlit LCD remote control, 40-second skip preventing memory, alarm function,

Links: Aiwa's English page for this unit. Dave Bell has made a Aiwa AM-HX50 review. Ian McFarlane has made a review of the Aiwa AM-HX50 player. HiFi Choice magazine (UK) has a review.

Specs: Frequency range of 20 - 20,000Hz, ±1dB (with 10 ohm load), headphone output 8mW per channel (load impedance 16 ohms),

Reviews:

Features: "Outdoor type" player, with carrying strap, neck strap, and corner bumpers. Unusual "Time Alarm" function can be set at designated time intervals, from 10 minutes to three hours, in one-minute increments. An electronic alarm sounds at the designated time. This function can also start MD playback at a selected time. Backlit remote with 10 character display shows MD disc name, track name and number, and functions. Program play (25 track), 40 sec shock memory.

Links: Aiwa's English and Japanese pages for the unit. MiniDisc World's review for this unit.

Reviews:

Features: ATRAC 4.5 Back-lit remote, song name search, 25 program play, 40 second shock memory. 8 hours playback on internal rechargeable cell.

Links:

• Aiwa's English page for the AM-HX30 portable player.
• The AM-HX30 is awarded the Etown Editor's pick position for best portable MD player.

Reviews:

Features: Built in AM/FM/TV tuner (Euro/US models [do they exist?] have world band AM/FM tuners). Backlit remote, jog dial for track or radio station selection. Double speed playback option.

Tips: To set the radio's tuning band (Japan, Europe, US) try these steps: 1) Press ENTER. Within one second jog + on the TUNING jog shuttle. 2) Press PRESET + or - key to cycle through JPN,USA,EU. 3) Press ENTER to lock in your choice. [from [email protected]]

Links: Aiwa's English page for the unit.

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mW+10mW

Reviews:

Features: Jog dial for track selection, double speed playback mode, backlit remote. Program (up to 25 tracks), repeat 1, repeat all, and shuffle play modes. Silicon rubber cushions on ear caps for better fit and bass reproduction. 1 bit D/A. Battery life: Rechargeable LiIon: 7 hr, AAx3: 19 hr, both: 26 hr. Recharge time: 2hr.

Links: Aiwa's English page for the unit. Japan Direct's clear photos of the unit.

Specs: Headphone amp: 10mW+10mW

Reviews:

Features: Reportedly a clone of the Sharp MD-S10. ATRAC 1(?) 3 second shock memory. One step bass boost. PLSS (personal listening setting) changes sound so that headphone noise does not disturb others. Opens with button, not slide. Remote displays: track number, play mode (random, repeat), bass boost, PLSS, battery empty. Rechargeable 4.8v (NiCad?) battery life: pre-recorded MD: 100 minutes, recordable MD: 90 minutes. AC adapter can charge battery and operate the unit simultaneously. Full charge: 5 hours. Button press confirmation beep may be toggled by holding the DSL/PLSS button for 3 seconds while in playback or stop mode. Pushing the play button repeatedly toggles the play mode (normal, repeat, random).

Specs: THD: 0.07%, Headphone amp: 15mw+15mw

Reviews: