I was just able to snag a Sony MDS-JE320 (http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MDS-JE320.html) on eBay for $5, with very reasonable USPS Parcel Post shipping. It was $5 because it's broken, or according to the listing, it won't play or load discs.

I know from my last JE320 that several Sony models that use that transport mechanism have a design flaw: a microswitch isn't properly closed during the eject process, leading the unit to constantly think a disc is always halfway loaded, leading to constant gear grinding. Wrapping a piece of the transport in electrical tape lets the switch close normally and it should be fine after that.

I've been kicking myself for managing to break my last one in the repair process (didn't do it well enough the first time and had to go back in), and couldn't pass up a chance to try again for $5.

They're really neat decks, those MiniDisc units, the ability to edit tracks on the fly is cool and not duplicated in any other consumer format that I know of. The last generation of Sony's ATRAC compression used on this model isn't bad, either. I'm pretty sure I could pick it out from a Type II Cassette, Vinyl or FLAC audio file, but it's certainly okay for casual listening.

This is the first time I've been able to take advantage of an online auction "broken/as-is" deal, so I just wanted to brag a little. :)

Congrats! You should hear some of the nicer decks.


Carl

I just love the mini disc.I have only found one home model for 8.99 at the gw,but I have 7 of the higher end portables that i pickup on the kijiji site for 10 to 15 bucks and usually with a 10 pack or more of discs and all the accessories.

there are several conflicting reports on the 320's microswitch problem.

I owned a 320 about 10 years ago...it DID NOT have the microswitch problem...I verified this by taking it apart and trying to make it trip any way possible. I also owned the 510 which was the bigger brother of the 320...it DID have a microswitch issue. It's possible some early 320's had the issue...but I've looked and played with several differnet ones that didn't.

I wound up breaking the transport in one...so I swapped boards out and swapped mechs and had a perfectly working 510.

The 320 is a good basic deck, but it's just that, a basic deck. I gave up on minidisc a long time ago...i saw it was fading and the sound quality wasn't what I was demanding anymore.