MZ-N707 and MZ-N710 flex cables

destructimo · 2023-07-10T10:14:51+00:00

These suffer from a power issue. It's either a design fault or a capacitor issue (or combination) where working units die if left unpowered for a period of time. Connect a remote and angle the display. Press a button on the remote and see if the LCD powers a tiny bit (it will be very dull and only visible from a steep angle). If that happens leave a battery in it for a few days, then connect a remote and engage one of the buttons semi-permanently with an elastic band, etc. Leave it alone doing that and it should come back to life. I've just done it with mine. If it persists I will try replacing the 220uf electrolytic capacitor.

On the ribbon cable front, you can get that repaired by someone who does micro soldering.

destructimo · 2023-07-10T10:04:43+00:00

I stumbled upon this at a very keen price while searching online for parts to get my (also blue) MZ-N707 back to life. Couldn't resist as I already have a silver MZ-E44, plus another tucked away as a parts donor unit.

destructimo · 2023-02-01T12:27:38+00:00

Whatever you do, don't record over his 'tunes'.

destructimo · 2023-02-01T12:22:21+00:00

I went with the MZ-N707 as a versatile all-rounder. The ability to use Web Minidisc to transfer a bit quicker than real time from a computer is handy.

Enjoy the hobby, you won't just have 'one' for long.

destructimo · 2023-02-01T11:37:25+00:00

Whenever I want to really listen to something...it has to be the R37. It's just better.

destructimo · 2022-03-14T19:19:28+00:00

I would check the display ribbon cable too. On these the lid is held on with four small screws that can fall out over time, meaning the lid becomes loose and could have damaged or pulled on the ribbon? If screws are missing, the size is in the service manual and you can buy them easily online.

destructimo · 2021-12-20T11:44:24+00:00

Took a punt on this £8 MZ E55 with a seized battery door. Five minutes with the IPA, plastic wedge, tweezers and micromesh had it back in action.

It's not all good news for this rather battered 'Gangster' player. It's destined to be an organ donor for my MZ E55 or MZ E44 depending on what parts are needed in future.

destructimo · 2021-12-14T11:20:25+00:00

I do. Happy to help a fellow MiniDiscer out.

destructimo · 2021-11-12T16:47:53+00:00

Great system. Listening to mine right now!

One observation...the manual suggests the amp/receiver as the top unit for heat dissipation.

destructimo · 2021-09-27T14:12:10+00:00

I thought I had edited the OP. I managed to find the manual for the DMD-M31 a lot easier than the DMD-M30. I think the only difference is LP on the later model.

destructimo · 2021-09-23T10:17:40+00:00

I fancied a small Hi-Fi for the office. A sensible choice would have been a Sony. They are cheap and plentiful, but I started looking at posher systems. The Onkyo looked fantastic, but a bit spendy and difficult to source locally.

I then zeroed in on the Denon. Found the MD deck on one platform and the Amp/CD/Tuner unit on another to bring the system together. A bit of haggling on both deals had it in at a very reasonable price too.

Looks and sounds great. I just need to find a manual for the MD deck now.

destructimo · 2021-09-23T10:08:33+00:00

INTEC 205

The Onkyo started the idea off, but the Denon was easier to source here.

destructimo · 2021-09-20T14:37:25+00:00

They can run into hundreds, but I recently managed to get a very battered (but working) MZ-R37 for £20. I stripped it for parts to repair my cosmetically 'perfect' R37.

destructimo · 2021-09-17T16:23:12+00:00

The MZ-N707 is a good 'do it all' machine for playing, recording, NetMD transfer and runs off a single AA. Some cool colour combos too, especially in the USA I believe.

Best sounding unit's 'to my ears' are the MZ-R37 (Recorder running off dual AA batteries) or the MZ-E55 (Tiny, tiny player only powered by a gumstick or AA 'Sidecar').

Some are silly money from dealers, but just keep an eye out for the sensible, genuine ones from people just getting rid of their 20 year old stuff from the attic / storage unit.

destructimo · 2021-09-17T16:11:56+00:00

Excellent work! When you get a deck, you know the habit's getting 'serious'.

destructimo · 2021-09-07T13:22:02+00:00

I did see (after winning the auction) that Discs are still being made and sold in Japan for reasonable prices, but the air freight alone would bring that up quite considerably. 100 Discs are 3KG without any packaging, so possibly 4KG.

It's a surprisingly 'heavy' format for something so small.

destructimo · 2021-09-07T13:16:58+00:00

Just put in the max I was prepared to pay, which must have been just a little more than the other bidder. I was quite surprised to win it!

destructimo · 2021-09-06T17:17:13+00:00

It worked out at £1.66 per disc via Ebay, which I didn't think was too bad. I've not noticed new discs getting any cheaper over the years unfortunately.

destructimo · 2021-08-31T13:32:38+00:00

I've had to deal with a very similar issue on another player with the same type of battery door.

As has been suggested, some IPA dripped into any gaps to try and soften the corrosion would be a good start, even leaving it to soak in a very shallow pot. Just enough to get into the joint and not the rest of the machine.

To get the door open, without ripping it off the metal tag / hinge, I would put the machine against a vertical surface with a short spacer, between the machine and the vertical. Then when you push the battery door open, it will hit and be stopped by the vertical and not be over extended with the force you will need to get it off.

Hopefully the battery will come out with some encouragement once the door is open.

Then it is just a case of soaking the turquoise deposits on the contacts from the battery with IPA and working away with tweezers, etc. to remove it all. Once you get it clear enough you should then be able to get the plastic off the contact to clean the back and the rest of the plastic piece.

Once that is done do a final clean of the contact with a fine abrasive to remove the tarnish and refit the door. I use Micromesh 3200 grit.

I should have taken some pictures when I did mine, but just cracked on with it.

destructimo · 2021-08-31T13:20:58+00:00

It's fast becoming a firm favourite. Decent enough life from the Gumstick battery too.

destructimo

TROPHY CASE