Customer Rating: 
Summary: WORKS LIKE A CHARM. DON'T LET OTHER REVIEWERS FOOL YOU.
Comment: My first review of a minidisc player was done in 2001. It was for the MZ-R70 blue model. I have bought this MZ-R55 2nd hand, which is in fact, over 3 years old. The unit (recorder and all supplies) work like a charm. It works better than the MZ-R70, for it's faster when skipping tracks, and it runs the TOC EDIT faster than my other model, which is an MZ-R50 silver model. Yes, I have 3 minidisc players. May I say, even though many people have rated the MZ-R55 down, I love it. All you have to do is have a little patience, and take care of the Unit.
I like the backlit remote, which is excellently handy when you don't want to flip the player/recorder in and out of your pocket every two minutes to raise the volume or change song.
The unit's shell takes a lot more abuse than that of the MZ-R70. The paint doesn't come off as easy, and even though the unit may be a bit heavier, at least I'm more aware of the fact that there's something fragile in my pocket. I think that 4 hours of battery life is halfway decent if not acceptable. What I mean, is that 4 hours is fine by me. I don't go out much, and that leaves less ware&Tear on the unit.
Let me tell you...the bass in the collapsible headphones is outstanding. These headphones sport the best digital bass that I have ever heard. May I also add, you don't have to turn the volume up too high, to drown out the exterior sound around you. I find myself not having to put the volume up past 50%.
The AA battery compartment is handy to have when your NH-14WM (Nickel-Metal Hydride Battert) loses its charge. Just today I went out with the compartment attached, and voila, it's there when I need it.
My MZ-R55 is the silver model. Even though I bought this unit second hand, it seems to have withstood a lot of time, and everything I expected it to be, it has lived up to its SONY name.
The carrying pouch is genuninely handy to have, if you're going out in the harsher of climates. That way, it won't get wet or humid. Another thing, the headphones, being as short as they are, are practical for someone who always puts their mini-disc player in their shirt pocket, with or without the remote. The only thing wrong with that, is that you can't really turn your head too far from in front of the unit, or you will be pulling on the wire.
For the 3 Volt power supply adaptor, I am happy about it, because it's the same voltage as for my MZ-R70. They both share adaptors, and one is always near the stereo for playing through big bass speakers. One is always there for the personal listening pleasure at my desk.
The whole shebang comes in a neat little rectangular box, which is great for storing, and great for placing my other mini-disc players and their accessories when not in use.
I would recommend you go on an internet site for SONY mini-disc players, to print out their service manuals for each individual model. I have a manual printed out for each of my 3 units. Kind of comes in handy when you know a little about electronics.
I am happy with this product, and would recommend this to anyone, even those fussy people who nag about every little problem they encounter.
Hope this review has helped you.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: replaces tape recorders
Comment: Normal MD's are basically a novelty whose charm wears off the second you try to actually record one. If you want to record a MD at CD quality, you need a CD player with an optical output, which is not common, an optical cable (sold separately) and you must be willing to sit for the entire duration of the CD without so much as bumping the recorder. On the R-55, the unit is quite heavy, especially if the AA battery pack is attached, which is constantly because the rechargeable is weaker than my grandma on morphine. Despite all this, the MD has some good qualities. They're virtualy indestructable, and you get surprisingly good sound quality. The edit and delete functions are fantastic, making compilations simple to create and edit. Straight CD rips are easy as well, if you've got the time. However the coolest feature I found was the microphone. You can just plug an ordinary pair of headphones into the microphone jack, press record and listen to your drunken antics or anything else anytime you want, even separate the night into different tracks.
If you're looking to replace that old walkman this is for you, but stick with a discman or MP3 player otherwise.
Customer Rating:
Summary: it serves it's purpose
Comment: I've had my mini-disc for about a year and a half. I like it because I can hook it up to my home stereo,and also play it in my car (with cassett adapter) and its got great sound. The part about the batteries is so true.., that is one drawback. I've recorded over 80 disc, and just about all of them have excellent quality. I've never listened to another MD so I don't know if there is a difference in quality of sound. Also you do have to crank up the volume to get good sound if your using it as a walkman. It wont blow you away...but it's alright as a walkman.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Overall A Quality Product
Comment: This player/recorder plays and records very well, is small and lightweight and compact, and looks damn cool. I only have 2 beefs with it: the battery life is terrible, only about 3 1/2 hours using only the rechargable and about 8 with the unsightly battery attacement, which also adds a lot of weight, and it does not have a very loud sound output. I am constantly listening to it with the volume all the way up and am still having trouble hearing only the music.
Other than the battery life, I would definately recommend this product. I bought a PC link for mine and that records just fine, as does the stereo recording method. I also think the remote is quite spiffy if you're keeping the player in your pocket or backpack etc.
Customer Rating:
Summary: great
Comment: i take several months to decide what minidisc i should buy, i bought de mz-r55 and im very happy with my decition, it has been a year and a half since it belongs to me and i have nothing to complain about it. i had recorded several blanks, like 50, with any problems. i love the remote control. i love it size. i take it anywhere. the only thing that you must be aware is to have batteries. if you're prepared for that, then you can listen to your music with an excellent sound quality anytime. i love to go to my friends flats and record a disc if i like it, or only some songs. you can do anything!!!!!!!
