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The Sony D-NE320(and variants) is a really good pcdp

Discussion in 'Discmans, Minidisc, DCC and other players' started by Rochester21, Oct 4, 2017.

  1. Rochester21

    Rochester21 New Member

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    I have a small collection of sony portable cd players, mostly later models, like d-ej2000, d-ne10, d-ne511, d-ne600, d561 etc.

    My last addition to the collection was a cheapo(12 usd), newer D-NE320. There is nothing special about this machine, except the fact that....it`s really good. Better than all the others i have. The sound coming from it is really balanced and lively and it reads cds in total silence.
    Unlike other models, the equalizer setings don`t disappear after removing the battery and i didn`t even need to tweak the sound because it was good as it was produced with the existing presets. It has good, pretty natural sounding bass and gracefully reproduced highs. I was really surprised.

    Another point worth mentioning is that this model doesn`t have a loose lid like many models from sony. This issue used to drive me crazy on my D-NE600. Size-wise it`s average. Good design(all plastic), typical for sony, not nearly as sexy as a slim model, but considering the base price one can`t really complain. Feels solid enough for carrying it on a daily basis. The menu system is familiar, resembles my D-NE600. The older D-NE600 remote works with the D-NE320, but this was expected.
    Btw, i`m using Sennheiser HD 380PRO headphones for sound comparison.

    The purpose of this post is informative, there are plenty of good portable cd players out there, but the modest D-NE320 and all its variants(321, NF versions) are very good value for money. It definitely beats some of the older top of the line models from sony and it`s super cheap, there is no excuse not to have one if you like this type of walkman.

    It`s not a perfect pcdp and there are a few drawbacks, namely that there is no line out option and the fact that the buttons are a bit stiff, there is barely any travel when you press them, but the sound quality alone makes me forget all these small issues.
    Sorry for not being able to produce any photos of my own, i`m currently away from home.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2017
  2. T-ster

    T-ster Moderator Staff Member S2G Supporter

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    Great post and good tip on this Sony:thumbup:
     
  3. Longman

    Longman Well-Known Member S2G Supporter

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    To me that looks like a top of the range unit. My current go to personal CD player is a D-EJ750.

    The thing that I like about all the Sonys from that generation is how well they track CDs. Even with G Protection turned off it takes a very big shake to make them skip. A shame that the same can’t be said of the CD boomboxes like my two ZS-D55s.
     
  4. enryfox

    enryfox Active Member

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    I have a Sony D-NE1 I bought in 2003 and it appears to be one of the first Sony CDP to read MP3 files.
    51Y658W0KHL.jpg
    (stock picture)

    It has all sort of features and accessories , but sound-wise it is disappointing to me: volume is rather limited and several CD's (before loudness war, i.e. properly mastered CD) require maximum volume to get a normal listening volume (not too loud indeed). Sound is also compress and lacks breath and openness, it all sounds like a compressed mp3.
    The bulky remote is also rather awkward with too many buttons and a volume control that requires two hands; using the player w/o the remote is even more awkward as the buttons are located in weird positions and there is no display at all;if the two internal gumstick batteries are dead it has an external battery holder (2 x AA) but it is cumbersome and bulky (Sony provides a bag for that purpose). The power supply just died today due to the wire rubber over deteriorating and breaking thus exposing the copper for an easy short circuit. I have older power supplies for other CDP's which are in much better condition.

    I paid good money for that player in 2003, but it is a disappointment now as it was beck then.
     
  5. Jorge

    Jorge Well-Known Member

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    I keep Sony D-EJ985 in my collection, as an example of a "slippery slope" into iPods and MP3 sound:
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    Beautiful magnesium shell, no skipping, but Good News end here. They used "buffer" with a digi-stream going straight into some kind of compression (and it was not even MP3), then 4mW into 16Ohm h/p amp "finished the job" :cool:
    Unlike earlier models, you cannot even turn its "anti-skip" off
     

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