Sanyo MCD-3100

sanyo_mcd3100_1_.jpg

Name MCD-3100
Manufacturer Sanyo
Released 1999/04
Device type boombox
Recorder Recorder
MDLP No
NetMD No
Hi-MD No
Radio Yes
Dimensions 486x166x291mm
Weight 5.9kg
ATRAC ver
Battery
Battery notes
Sidecar (depr) No
Voltage
Power cable AC
Price (launch)
-
Inputs 3.5mm microphone, CD, Radio recording, Tape deck
Outputs 3.5mm headphone, Tape deck, Built-in speaker
Control

Also sold as Fisher PH-MD100.

Features: AM/FM/MD/CD/Cassette boombox. Jog-dial for Volume, Equalizer, Bass and titling. Backlit (Fluorescent) display. Clock-timer (wake-up, timed record and sleep functions). Auto-reverse cassette with unique high-speed CD to tape dubbing (sadly no high-speed CD to MD). Full function remote control. Large, attractive dot-matrix display.

Specs: AC input: 100/120/230VAC FM : 87.5 - 108 MHz (0.05 MHz steps) 76 - 90 MHz (0.1 MHz steps) AM: 522 - 1710 (9 KHz steps) 520 - 1710 (10 KHz steps)


Content adapted from: Minidisc.org page, Sanyo product page (Archived), Fisher product page (Archived)

Oscar Fowler: Nice size (not too big/small). Sound is decent (for a boombox). Shows timestamp of MD recordings if available (relatively rare feature), and timestamps its own recordings. The CD→tape recording functions are very impressive. For example, you can set it so that it never truncates songs when switching tape sides during a record - it'll skip the end of the first side of the tape and start the song at the beginning of the next side. Too bad I don't use tapes anymore… Above-average manual in both English and Spanish. Final verdict: I'm very impressed with the features of this unit. I would definitely recommend getting one if you want a boombox that plays everything.


Peter Ravn: Can automatically insert track marks after 1.5s drop in sound input, or at fixed intervals (2,3,4 … 30, 45 min.). Has REC-IT feature that with one button press records the entire CD track you're currently listening to to the end of the MD. CD to MD recording is done digitally.


Hue Beavers: I thought it worthwhile to pass on my observations of the unit I ordered and received (Fri 10 Sep 99) being sold by 800.com. It is essentially what is advertised.

Overall audio quality of the box is pleasant. Tone control is rather limited to presets with some alteration of low end (bass) response. There are line level and mic level ('mic mixing' ala karaoke [?]) inputs on the rear of the unit allowing for traditional style recordings from external sources.

Worth noting: Unit is AC only, no batteries so it is not intended to go to the beach. Record level on cassette (or MD) input level is not variable; unit has some sort of AGC for analog type inputs. Ten preset memories for AM and FM bands (20 total). No direct entry of frequency.External loop (standup type on integral base) is supplied for AM reception. AM performance is good to very good by today's standards. FM reception switchable to mono and also has 3 beat cancelling positions for noisy multiplex recordings. Cassette deck quality is very solid and fidelity is good.

Minidisc allows 1.6x playback for location/editing/dictation playback. Unit does provide for monophonic record on MD. Minidisc transport seems to be solid with audio quality as one would expect from any MD.

No performance specs published in supplied manual-which itself is decent as a guide around the box. Books infers digital transfer from CD to MD. Usual programmable track features found on most CD's and MD's of this size/price range. Remote control required for some functions (date & time entry as an example). Flourescent display is generally easy to read; e.g. MD titles scroll nicely and can be seen well.

Summary: well worth $200 price at 800.com; probably would be a slow mover on open market at original $400 due to lack of DC (battery) operation, weight & size, and lack of consumer awareness.

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  • equipment/sanyo/boombox/mcd-3100.txt
  • Last modified: 3 years ago
  • by specialk