Sony MZ-R900

• MDLP technology
• Backlit remote
• Sync recording
• Three sound modes
• Rechargeable battery
• AA battery screw-on adapter
• Joint Text support
• One-touch eject
• Dual jog dial navigation
• 40/80/160 second anti-shock memory

Sony went all out designing the 900. The 90 had a "busy" look to it, with a few more buttons and a ridged front. It was distinct looking, but nowhere near as slick as the 900. This model has a very plain, very understated front. As you can see in the product shots, most of the faзade is empty.

Of the four colors available, three of them are anodized aluminum, not the more exotic magnesium that covered the 90, but just as good looking. The white model is painted in a more traditional way – the color being on top of the metal instead of being a part of it.

The utilitarian front panel has a mere eight buttons: volume up, volume down, end search, record more, record, pause, stop/charge, and track mark. The left side of the player has the menu jog dial, used for editing, erasing, selecting sound mode, etc. The right side has another jog dial – used to navigate through tracks and play – the headphone jack/line out, mic in, and line in. The sync switch and hold buttons are around back and the open button is on top.

Another big change from their previous models is Sony's new remote. It is backlit and much more functional than most. A section of the end rotates in order to select or scan through tracks. That section also telescopes out slightly and becomes the volume control. This design is not only innovative, but also very practical. The remote is also backlit.

The package included an AC adapter, the battery pack, a carrying case, earbuds, and a MD cable, which is digital optical to 1/8th inch optical. Unlike MP3 players, there is no set-up to speak of with MD players, so it was right to using this little gem.

For the uninitiated, MDLP stands for MiniDisc Long Play. Players with MDLP abilities can record up to 320 minutes on a standard 74-minute disc. Of course, the longer play/record time comes at a price: sound quality. The information must be further compressed in order to fit into the same space. More compression means a (relative) loss of fidelity.

The 900 sounded brilliant. Recordings were sharp, clean, and a snap to make. The difference between the source and the recordings was negligible, and hardly perceptible for the most part.

Editing tracks, playlists, etc. is as easy as ever. You scroll though the alphabet – English alphanumeric or katakana - with the jog dial, select a character by pushing the dial in, and move the cursor with the volume controls. The unit also supports Joint Text and will read text from a CD.