...That brand is Aiwa. I use my mini disc for editing interviews for my student radio programmes and the nudge edit facility on this machine means I can edit in the field, on the train or on a bus to a degree of accuracy as good as a full size mains operated domestic machine. Whilst Panasonic ... Read review
Advantages: Fine editing with a rehearse option and programmable playback of tracks Disadvantages: Can be hard to find, needs a padded carrying case
...to minidisc and take my Aiwa portable with me. Using a mini jack to phono lead I connect to an input on my mixer, turn up the volume out on the Aiwa, programme the track and play it without worrying that it will run onto the next track. Just as if I was programming my CD players. I don't why you can't do this on other machines that cost as much if not more than this Aiwa FM-80.
Like any other portable mindisc recorders The Aiwa FM-80 is fragile ... ...maybe it does with another Aiwa machine acting as the source. Track labelling is just as fiddly as other makes. Once you've mastered the manual you can alter the recording level manually and whilst recording. I've just edited down a live set by a fellow DJ who rapped over a reggae set by removing a track that jumped on his CD deck. You can't hear the join.
If you are buying a portable Mindisc recorder why pay more for a unit with less features ... more
I am amazed that reviews of Minidisc recorders concentyrate on size, colour and how neat they are rather on what they can do.I have found that there is only one brand of portable mini disc recorder that can edit to a hundredth of a second AND programme tracks for playback.That brand is Aiwa. I use my mini disc for editing interviews for my student radio programmes and the nudge edit facility on this machine means I can edit in the field, on the train or on a bus to a degree of accuracy as good as a full size mains operated domestic machine. Whilst Panasonic also offers this facility their portables don't programme. I DJ using CD's but I have a large collection of vinyl and if I need a particular record from that collection rather than take Technics record deck out I copy the track on to minidisc and take my Aiwa portable with me. Using a mini jack to phono lead I connect to an input on my mixer, turn up the volume out on the Aiwa, programme the track and play it without worrying that it will run onto the next track. Just as if I was programming my CD players. I don't why you can't do this on other machines that cost as much if not more than this Aiwa FM-80. Like any other portable mindisc recorders The Aiwa FM-80 is fragile and the bag it comes with offers little protection. I would advise buying a padded camera case and taking out Mastercare or whatever comprehensive repair cover your dealer sells. Unfortunately very few of the UK major chains (Currys/Dixon) stocks this brand so you have to search them out. The remote control works OK but the clip isn't particularly strong. The headphones don't fit into my ears and slip out when i am on my bike. The optical input works OK with my Pioneer domestic Minidisc and my Sony CD player although tracks of less than 2 seconds occasionally end up combined with the next track. I back up my collection of radio stings this way in case I wipe a collection gathered over several years. It does not copy track information such as names although maybe it does with another Aiwa machine acting as the source. Track labelling is just as fiddly as other makes. Once you've mastered the manual you can alter the recording level manually and whilst recording. I've just edited down a live set by a fellow DJ who rapped over a reggae set by removing a track that jumped on his CD deck. You can't hear the join. If you are buying a portable Mindisc recorder why pay more for a unit with less features when you can buy an Aiwa FM-80 for £170 pounds (November 2000 in Currys.
Advantages: recordable, cheap if you look around Disadvantages: no belt clip, earplug longevity?
i bought an aiwa amf-65 from big save.com for £117 it was in my mail order catalog for £199 so with it being a quality make like aiwa i thought it was a bargain, it was but not much longer than a month later the left hand earphone stopped working i contacted big save and they said instead of me sending the whole unit back the would see if aiwa would send me a replacement. aiwa sent an amtrack van to pick up the earphones but didn't send a replacement ... ...than that it has been a delight to use, fully featured but i would recommend up grading to the machine with the lcd display on the remote as aiwa dosn't have a belt clip so you have to put it in your pocket and then you can't see the display.. ...
mburden 17.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Aiwa AM-F65
Advantages: Good features Disadvantages: Recording mechanism broke
I got my Aiwa AM-F65 soon after it was released. A year ago it was relatively cheap (£170), and had all the features of the most expensive minidisc recorders, such as a 40 second anti-shock memory, 10 hour battery life for playback (most new players are much better), excellent sound quality, and all the usual track editing. The multijog dial makes entering track and disc names much easier. It's also one of the only players on which you can start ... ...The remote control does not have an LCD display, however, nor does the unit's display have a backlight. The AM-F70 model does have these features, but it's hard to find. The AM-F65 is quite compact, although most newer recorders are considerably smaller.
After 8 months of occasional use my AM-F65 died. The recording mechanism broke, and the parts to replace it cost £98 - thankfully it was still under warranty! I had always taked very good care of ...
Advantages: Cheap, good, and strong Disadvantages: bulky, old
this minidisc player is excellent. All the features are there, it comes with all the cables, and is very robust. I got this for £200, and even at that price it was a bargain, now its even cheaper. I've dropped it a few times with no problem, its been excellent. The playback quality is cd perfect and the mounted jog dial allows for easy volume control and easy input of track names. The only problem with this is minidisc system is, there is no title ...
Advantages: Small, Recordable, Solid Build Disadvantages: Not as Small as others
This player / recorder is a very solid peice of equipment. It has sustained over a year of use in a collage environmant where it is dropped and banged quite a few times, but it is still going. As for the spec the only thing missing is the remote (avalible on the AM-70) but with 40 seconds antishock and full recording and editing features it is one of the highest specs around. Only one thing which makes this a slightly less attractive bet than the ... ...and eaisly pocketable it is bigger than the top of the range Sony (but the sony is also £50 more). One not so noticeable feature of this over the others is the multi jog. This may seem a bit of a novalty but it does come in handy. When entering track titles you have to scrool through the letters untill you get the right one. On other makes this is not easy as you have to press buttons to cycle through, but with this (and other awia minidisc players) ...
millec199 08.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aiwa AM-F65
...selections. I therefore purchased a Aiwa F-65 MiniDisc player/recorder through QXL. The design of the player is very good. Despite the top-heavy appearance, the build quality is both sturdy and shiny - I bet that I could drop it a few times, though for some reason I haven't yet tested this "feature". The instruction manual is very comprehensive and in about five different languages with guidelines to the numerous functions in step-by-step fashion. ... ...is supplied to connect your Aiwa F-65 to a compatible CD player, there is no supplied cable to connect your personal Sony CD player to the unit. This will cost you, if required, another £10 to £15. On the whole though, an excellent buy for the users looking to get into the MiniDisc market. ...
JRW 19.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Aiwa AM-F65
