Author: Ashley

I founded Audio Appraisal a few years ago and continue to regularly update it with fresh content. An avid vinyl collector and coffee addict, I can often be found at a workbench tinkering with a faulty electronic device, tweaking a turntable to extract the last bit of detail from those tiny grooves in the plastic stuff, or relaxing in front of the hi-fi with a good album. A musician, occasional producer and sound engineer, other hobbies include software programming, web development, long walks and occasional DIY.

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Adventures in MiniDisc & Sony MDS-JE770 Repair

I had every intention of starting a small MiniDisc collection, but ultimately it’s not going to happen. The MiniDisc technology was cutting edge on its introduction and something that few if any home computers could replicate. These days however the MiniDisc is easily outshines by the most basic digital players. While it’s a nice format, it’s not difficult to see why it has faded into obsolescence.

The Components of a Turntable

Many of the most popular record players for sale today are of an all-in-1 design, meaning that the record player, amplifier and speakers are housed within the same case, which is usually of a retro design in a portable space-saving form factor. These devices can be purchased for less than £100, which compared to even a budget system comprised of a separate turntable, amplifier and speakers can make them seem like excellent value for money. To assess whether or not this is the case, we first need to see what actually makes a turntable tick.