aiwa_md3_1_.jpg

Name XR-H3MD
Manufacturer Aiwa
Released 1997/07
Device type bookshelf
Recorder Recorder
MDLP No
NetMD No
Hi-MD No
Radio Yes
Dimensions 260x340x346.5mm
Weight 6.8Kg
ATRAC ver 4
Battery
Battery notes
Sidecar (depr) No
Voltage
Power cable AC
Price (launch)
¥41 200
-
Inputs RCA in, CD
Outputs 3.5mm headphone, RCA out, Digital optical (TOSLINK), Speaker amplifier
Control

First MD bookshelf system available in North America. MD/3-CD changer/2-Cassette 'basic' bookshelf system. High speed (2x) MD playback mode. Mono recording. 3CD changer is convenient for editing to MD. 'Music genre position.' Jog dial. Auto vocal fader/mic mixing function. 'AI/program edit'. Diary and sleep timer functions. Double cassette deck (playback 1 way + playback 1 way). Bass boost. Amp: 60 watts

  • Easy digital recording, as simple as programming the tracks on the keypad and pushing the Digital SYNCHRO button.
  • Sony's ATRAC 4, with 20-bit D/A
  • 3-Compact Disc Changer
  • Dual-Well Cassette Deck (one recording, one play-only)
  • Digital Output (Minidisc and Compact Disc)
  • Video/Aux input for LD players, MD players, VCR's, etc.
  • Advanced Jog Dial for Easy Titling
  • Both Anologue and Digital Recording
  • Mono Recording for Double Length
  • 50Wx2 Output
  • Impedance: 6 ohms
  • Output sound pressure level: 87 dB/W/w

Content adapted from: Minidisc.org Page, Aiwa product page (Japanese, Archived)

I use this machine almost everyday, what makes it so unique is the ability to make exact DIGITAL recordings without the fuss of cables. I own an MZ-E40, and wanted this machine to function as my minidisc recording studio.

The Advanced Slot-In Design makes inserting an MD easy, though the TOC reading is actually a little slower than my MZ-E40. Not only will this unit display the MD title, when moving to a track in STOP mode the song title is also displayed.

My opinion is quite simple: This system is of high quality, something I expect for an odd sum of $700. Aiwa could have made the TOC readings faster, but I have no complaints. Digital recordings are a breeze. When recording from cassette to MD, rewind the cassette, push play, push ANOLOGUE MD RECORD, then the SET button. When recording from MD to cassette, program your tracks, push play, then push CASSETTE RECORD.

My recommendation: Buy this system if you're after ease of use, not advanced experimental research.

Tom Kroh

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test192.30.190.3, 2022/04/06 19:05
I purchased one of these locally as my MZ-R3 died and I don't need portable recording functionality so I intended to attach this to my receiver without using the speakers/internal amp - some corrections/notes:

Digital out is only for CD apparently, I believe the similar HR33MD allows MD digital out.
There is no analog out, only RCA connections for surround speakers.

Effectively, this unit makes a decent recorder, but not useful for playback through any external equipment unless you feel like taking headphone out of the AIWA into RCA line in on your receiver (not ideal)

Less critical for most in 2022 anyway - the tape decks have no option for Type II EQ but I'd imagine you'd want to use a better quality external deck if transferring cassette to MD.
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  • equipment/aiwa/bookshelf/xr-h3md.txt
  • Last modified: 3 months ago
  • by specialk