Sony MZ-N710 Blue Net MiniDisc Walkman

MiniDisc technology has come on leaps and bounds these past few years. As the units have become smaller, the battery life and storage capacity have increased. The MZ-N710 is compact unit that fits nicely into a pocket or in your hand. The player boasts an LCD display for track listings and other such information, as well as offering all the buttons you'll need to get the most out of the device. For direct audio recording the user has the option of microphone, digital optical and line-in sockets. Those with a PC can connect the MZ-N710 to their computer via the USB socket.

Connecting the unit to your computer via USB allows you to transfer CD audio, MP3, WMA and WAV files using the included SonicStage software. The software converts the audio files into Sony's ATRAC TYPE-S format before transfer. You can also change the audio quality setting to give yourself more music per disc. When it comes to recording, the MZ-N710 does an admirable job too. With the Quick mode you can have faster queuing and FF/RW speeds in exchange for battery life. The unit also offers a bookmark track function for easy access to relevant recordings.

The MZ-N710 is powered by a rechargeable Ni-MH battery which is charged via the included cradle. There is also the option of adding an addition 'AA' type battery via a connectable battery dock. The additional battery dock will be a godsend to those who plan to be away from the charging cradle for any length of time. The remote control also serves as the main conduit to the player, allowing the main unit to be hidden out of eyes reach.

Aesthetics aside the sound quality is very good. The player comes with six graphic equaliser settings and a virtual surround mode to enhance your listening pleasure. While sounding like a whim, the virtual mode is actually very good and on testing, it actually took away that hard edge normally found when listening to music through headphones.

Overall this is a very comprehensive player and delivers the goods. The slim and compact aluminium body does convey a sense of durability and it looks like it could take a few knocks. The ability to add a further battery can be a lifesaver if you are out in the field. --Jason Denwood

However.....The maximum volume on the MD i feel is terrible. In quite surrondings its good, however in loud surrondings its terrible. Hardly hear your music, but i can get used to it.

What i cant get used to is the Supplied Software - Sonic Stage. It sounds good but its not. You can only check out songs a maximum of 3 times and its so difficult to use. It also crashes many times (im running XP Pro) and in my opinion is nothing comapared to Open MG Jukebox which is supplied with more expensive Sony MD's.

Poor volume and abysmal software knock of 2 stars of a certain 5.


BEWARE!!   July 4, 2004
This is a really good peice of kit, but BEWARE the transfer program is one of the most annoying peices of software ever. If it works it's great with the facility to log on to the internet and retrieve song data. But in my case the software didn't work and caused me no end of frustration. I would've given it a higher rating if it wasn't for this. It is a shame that the software brought down the rating because it is one of the best things I have bought. To sum up if Sony sort out the software it will be much better. If you do buy one i hope your software works better than mine is now


Great   May 29, 2004
Mr. C. Davis (UK)
Got this MD player for my birthdat last year. It's great. There is no other word to describe it. It does what it says it does. All my friends think it's good, and one even went and bought their own. My only critisism is that Sonic Stage (a program you have to use to transfer songs onto the MD)is rather slow and a bit confusing at first.


Black to Blue   April 22, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Today I retired my MZR500 , in Black . I enjoyed every day I owned thatlittle gem , and I think I'll enjoy the coming days with the 710 verymuch. I was sceptical about it after reading the reviews about volumeissues , and copyright protection , that stuff. But I looked at someAiwa's and a couple of Sharps , and the just didn't have "IT" , that Sonyfeel.......
The software loaded in minutes , and I had transfered a CDwithing 15 minutes of opening the box. It took 3 minutes to dump 10tracks, blinding that is exactly why I bought it . I have just stuck aload of downloaded MP3's on , no problem , 5 minutes. The software is easy, drag , drop point and click,if you can't use it your in serious trouble, see a doctor. I use an oldish P3 256mb , usb 1 PC , 40gb , windows 98SE.
The remote : I agree it desperately needs a backlight .
Battery was fully charged in 2 or 3 hours , sound quality is exceptional ,some nice features , grouping tracks , selecting by album , tells me whatswhere on the disc etc .
I can't figure out how to playback with the usbcable in , maybe you can't , no biggy , but you can operate the md playerfrom the PC , nice. Fast transfers , the remote is cool , never had onebefore , and will help keep the main unit protected.
If I read the instructions correctly you can delete tracks if you first"re import" them which also resets the checkout to 3 , but havn't triedthat yet.
Personally I have no problem putting my whole CD/music collection toMinidiscs and leaving it there , if you wanna play swapsies buy an MP3player. I bought this for the fast transfers and editability of MD's fromthe PC , the CDDB feature's nice as well.
If you want volume try aBoosteroo , I just got one , bit bulky but does what it says with nodistortion , with some model headphones it also improves matters , itlets you share with upto two other people, something the first Sony's usedto do as well.
I will upgrade the headphones when I get a chance , but the supplied onesseem fine to me , but I been listening to walkmans for 25 years , so myhearings a bit dodgy :) . I been using Sony for that time from the firsttape walkmans to this , I'm no audio wizard technogeek but in my opinionyou'll never equal them.
I work with some very loud equipment ,outdoors , in all weathers , and this is the kit , use a good case , eardefenders on ,stick her under your jacket ......... and smile all day.