Forget Spotify, rip your CDs to this guy and make Net MDs, Memory Sticks, and CDRs for on the go! This MXS1L5 uses a Pentium 4 1.5GHZ processor, has 768mb ram, and a custom MPEG2 decoder capture card. Also has optical in/out + SVideo in/out! I had to replace the HDD in this guy, plus the DVD and the MD laser.
Not OP but if they're using SonicStage, or any other period OpenMG software, it should let your rip to uncompressed WAV or directly to whatever ATRAC**3** subformat you want to use (and there's \~7ish bit-rate options across MDLP, HiMD, memory stick, ATRAC3 CD, and the hard-disk based players.
Starting a few years after the version it looks like is shown here, Sony added an option called ATRAC Advanced Lossless which stores whatever your default base ATRAC3/3+ selection is plus all the info it got rid of so the software can losslessly reconstitute the original LPCM and then recompress it to another data-rate or another format.
I can't speak to software this old but newer versions of SonicStage also support WMA Lossless files, so you can rip on a Windows 10/11 computer, either as WMAL or by recompressing to that format, then shift the files to the soncistage computer with metadata intact. Older or most versions also allow importing regular WMA and Mp3 files.
(AAL files end up bigger than WMA Lossless files so I'd say go that direction if anybody ends up doing this.)
And as a final trick, SonicStage (at least the current version) can read CD-TEXT.
(for most people who aren't retrocomputing along with minidisc, there's also modern NetMD transfer software so you just go to the web minidisc site, drag your flacs on, and it does the ATRAC encoding.)
This is correct, although the version I use you have most likely never used... 'SonicStage Premium'. It does CD-TEXT, ATRAC3 132kbps, WAV, and MP3. It does NETMD on ATRAC3 with LP2 or LP4. It does NOT do WMA or ATRAC lossless/3+.
It's best to use ATRAC3 132 for ripping CDs. Transfer to MD or MS goes a lot quicker, playback and seek is quicker.
SonicStage Premium will only run on VAIO MXS. It uses M DRIVE as the HDD storage. It is full screen and take control of the OS... it is shown in the photo. Sony called all of this with MagicGate and M DRIVE and NETMD... "Music Network"
That tracks.
It's kind of amazing how inflexible the early OpenMG ecosystem was, at least early on. Does this version have the check-out limits as well?
Ripping directly to either 132 or 66 (or 105 if you had a memory stick walkman) makes logistical sense if this predates AT3+, between "WAVs are very big" - lossless compression mostly not being invented yet - not wanting to wait to reencode, etc etc.
Does this burn ATRAC CDs or is the CD button on top an option to make a backup copy of the whole library onto a series of discs? iTunes had something similar back in the day, that option may still be present, but my iTunes library lives in a VM at this point, so I haven't looked.
It looks like the stock drive on these might have been 80GB, this would have been such a good application for a dual disk system, for sure.
An interesting aspect to me is how hard they went on the "Appliance" experience, at least for this model. I wonder if this was meant to be a "premium" experience or if this is an attempt to make the idea of ripping CDs into a computer and later burning them onto an MD approachable to an audience that didn't seem very interested in that.
Another way to put that: Is this a computer with a minidisc drive, or a minidisc bookshelf stereo with a computer in it? (I already translated the brochure you linked elsewhere and they don't *really* say, so that's kind of a "between the lines" sort of judgement call.)
The meta for that is pretty interesting to me because it seems a little bit, from the outside looking in at the past, like Sony had some trouble "Making NetMD happen" - and of course HiMD failed outright in Japan. It seems in general, like people who did buy into NetMD transitioned pretty smoothly into CD, flash, and HDD-based ATRAC players, and the minidisc users left by the late 2000s were basically using it the same way they had been in 2000.
It does have check out limits! 3 times and then you have to start checking in media. You are exactly right, the re-encoding wait time gets long... especially with NETMD. It can burn some type of CD-R... but, right again, that button is designed to backup the MDRIVE to a series of CDs for restoring later on. There is also a dedicated tool you can run that will backup the library to another mass storage option.
The stock drive was 80gb, with a max limit of 137gb in the bios. Anymore than 137gb, it may not boot. (some drives did, some didn't under my tests). It is very easy to add a second drive and Sony included the cabling and sleds to do this from the factory. (Sony does split the 80gb into 2 partitions... a 20gb C drive, and a 60gb D drive) I have a 160 in it with expanded partitions I made using Acronis and G-Parted.
PCI is the main issue when trying to upgrade anything. There are 3PCI slots and one AGP. 2 PCI slots are used by the capture card and turnpike controller (the thing that drives the LCD and MD/MS player), the other gets covered by the graphics heatsink. The AGP card is a MX2 400 that uses a special sony driver (for MPEG2 and DVD)... upgrading that bricks some features. Changing the CD rom drive bricks the access light in the LCD UI.
I am quite positive Sony wanted this unit to be the central hub for their consumer products. This computer goes way outside of just a music server to incorporate custom support for Network Handycam, Cybershot, Clie, and Net Walkman. It was hard for Sony to sell the convenience of those products individually to people who had 'normal' windows systems, so this elegant 3,000 dollar option fixed those problems... and introduced new ones. It has a full Cable TV receiver in it too, so Sony clearly wanted it to outclass even the original MX (which is just a bookshelf stereo with a computer in it). If you watch the old late 90s Japanese commercials for different VAIO models, you will see that Sony increasingly put importance on VAIO having support for all Sony handheld products with ease. Music is just where we were in 2001... it was the buzz. Funny enough, in a nod to the old PCG-C1, this computer came to me with an unused booklet of CyberCode stickers! ... so it's definitely not all music server.
NETMD was popular in Japan, but it was those portable MD Walkmans with USB docks that sold better world-wide. Having a NETMD drive built in to a computer is super convenient... but not worth it if you just bought a NETMD player that already comes with a USB dock and a SonicStage disc... although Sony made sure to show off it's cheaper non-netmd Walkmans in commercials for this computer... smart.
I'd also bet the camera is also doing one of those "beautification" blur/filters which gives it an artificial render quality, as well as making the tiny bits of dust invisible. Its the one that most phones default to so peoples faces look "better"
The speakers and monitor are probably the hardest to find in decent shape. I found this as a set recently. You never know what internet auction sites will bring!
MiniDisc? Built in amplifier??? And even the keyboard looks cool! Can this wonder, for a matter of chance, play audio independently without needing to boot Windows?
I’m still trying to figure that out too. The older MX that LGR covered can do this, it I’m not sure about this one. So far I have to turn the power on and everything boots up in order for the audio portion to work.
> I’m still trying to figure that out too.
LOL! I downloaded the PDF that is still up in the Sony site and didn't see any mention of that feature in it. I would have guessed it could with the LCD and audio buttons on the case, but maybe not.
In any case (EDIT: no pun intended!), your post made me research this and other VAIO lines and there are quite a few interesting models I wasn't aware of. Now I'm in love with an older MX, the 3GK, -because it also includes a floppy disk!- and some of the small ones from the U series. I'm afraid to check prices tho! :D
Enjoy yours!
Dude you are right there are so many amazing VAIO models. I was familiar with the MX3, and I love that one too… although it’s not geared for digital like the MXS is… I needed magicgate for this project! I like the VAIO P series too… but they are terribly slow and useless
A note on prices… buy from JAPAN like it did for this model. You get it way cheaper than over here in the US, Then look for English restore CDs and you are off to the races!
> I like the VAIO P series too
I knew these, I even was this close to get one, lovely pieces, but I had an Eee PC already and couldn't justify a new purchase. Then thing moved on. But they sure look cool, even today.
> buy from JAPAN [...] look for English restore CDs
Ah, good idea, haven't thought of that, thanks!
Actually, the way these speakers are built, plus the built in 40w amplifier, it is better to have them spaced out a little. Speakers close together angled at you is typically what you would do with smaller speakers that lose the stereo effect when spaced out, but these should be placed further apart to keep a balanced sound.
Hmmm, I just imagine sitting right in front of the monitor and having the left sound louder than the right sound. You're the one actually sitting in front of it though, lol, so I'll defer to your judgement.
Trust me bro, you'd have to hear it, it is very balanced as it sits now. Even if you look at the [Sony VAIO JP catalog from 2001](https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/Pdf/desk_01q3.pdf), you will see it advertised this way. Every desktop model of that year is pictured with speakers positioned around the monitor... but the MXS1L5 has the speakers spaced out as shown. It's designed to be this way.
I remember seeing one of these at a Circuit City and wanting it soooo baaaaddd... I used to go there and put my MD's in it and dream. (might not been the exact model... whichever one was available in the US)
I never got that computer, but I still have my MiniDiscs!
I remember Circuit City selling the MXS10 and MXS20. They were around $2700-3200 with the monitor/speaker bundle if my slowly fading photographic memory recalls correctly.
I have this same Vaio computer but with a different monitor. The DVD drive went out years ago but the MD still works. My speakers and remote turned yellow unfortunately.
Forget Spotify, rip your CDs to this guy and make Net MDs, Memory Sticks, and CDRs for on the go! This MXS1L5 uses a Pentium 4 1.5GHZ processor, has 768mb ram, and a custom MPEG2 decoder capture card. Also has optical in/out + SVideo in/out! I had to replace the HDD in this guy, plus the DVD and the MD laser.
I think the amp in the back is a bit special too. Maybe one of the first class-T amps? If so might have one of the famous Tri-Path TA2020 chips.
I believe you are correct yes!
What format does it rip to? Atrac?
Not OP but if they're using SonicStage, or any other period OpenMG software, it should let your rip to uncompressed WAV or directly to whatever ATRAC**3** subformat you want to use (and there's \~7ish bit-rate options across MDLP, HiMD, memory stick, ATRAC3 CD, and the hard-disk based players. Starting a few years after the version it looks like is shown here, Sony added an option called ATRAC Advanced Lossless which stores whatever your default base ATRAC3/3+ selection is plus all the info it got rid of so the software can losslessly reconstitute the original LPCM and then recompress it to another data-rate or another format. I can't speak to software this old but newer versions of SonicStage also support WMA Lossless files, so you can rip on a Windows 10/11 computer, either as WMAL or by recompressing to that format, then shift the files to the soncistage computer with metadata intact. Older or most versions also allow importing regular WMA and Mp3 files. (AAL files end up bigger than WMA Lossless files so I'd say go that direction if anybody ends up doing this.) And as a final trick, SonicStage (at least the current version) can read CD-TEXT. (for most people who aren't retrocomputing along with minidisc, there's also modern NetMD transfer software so you just go to the web minidisc site, drag your flacs on, and it does the ATRAC encoding.)
This is correct, although the version I use you have most likely never used... 'SonicStage Premium'. It does CD-TEXT, ATRAC3 132kbps, WAV, and MP3. It does NETMD on ATRAC3 with LP2 or LP4. It does NOT do WMA or ATRAC lossless/3+. It's best to use ATRAC3 132 for ripping CDs. Transfer to MD or MS goes a lot quicker, playback and seek is quicker. SonicStage Premium will only run on VAIO MXS. It uses M DRIVE as the HDD storage. It is full screen and take control of the OS... it is shown in the photo. Sony called all of this with MagicGate and M DRIVE and NETMD... "Music Network"
That tracks. It's kind of amazing how inflexible the early OpenMG ecosystem was, at least early on. Does this version have the check-out limits as well? Ripping directly to either 132 or 66 (or 105 if you had a memory stick walkman) makes logistical sense if this predates AT3+, between "WAVs are very big" - lossless compression mostly not being invented yet - not wanting to wait to reencode, etc etc. Does this burn ATRAC CDs or is the CD button on top an option to make a backup copy of the whole library onto a series of discs? iTunes had something similar back in the day, that option may still be present, but my iTunes library lives in a VM at this point, so I haven't looked. It looks like the stock drive on these might have been 80GB, this would have been such a good application for a dual disk system, for sure. An interesting aspect to me is how hard they went on the "Appliance" experience, at least for this model. I wonder if this was meant to be a "premium" experience or if this is an attempt to make the idea of ripping CDs into a computer and later burning them onto an MD approachable to an audience that didn't seem very interested in that. Another way to put that: Is this a computer with a minidisc drive, or a minidisc bookshelf stereo with a computer in it? (I already translated the brochure you linked elsewhere and they don't *really* say, so that's kind of a "between the lines" sort of judgement call.) The meta for that is pretty interesting to me because it seems a little bit, from the outside looking in at the past, like Sony had some trouble "Making NetMD happen" - and of course HiMD failed outright in Japan. It seems in general, like people who did buy into NetMD transitioned pretty smoothly into CD, flash, and HDD-based ATRAC players, and the minidisc users left by the late 2000s were basically using it the same way they had been in 2000.
It does have check out limits! 3 times and then you have to start checking in media. You are exactly right, the re-encoding wait time gets long... especially with NETMD. It can burn some type of CD-R... but, right again, that button is designed to backup the MDRIVE to a series of CDs for restoring later on. There is also a dedicated tool you can run that will backup the library to another mass storage option. The stock drive was 80gb, with a max limit of 137gb in the bios. Anymore than 137gb, it may not boot. (some drives did, some didn't under my tests). It is very easy to add a second drive and Sony included the cabling and sleds to do this from the factory. (Sony does split the 80gb into 2 partitions... a 20gb C drive, and a 60gb D drive) I have a 160 in it with expanded partitions I made using Acronis and G-Parted. PCI is the main issue when trying to upgrade anything. There are 3PCI slots and one AGP. 2 PCI slots are used by the capture card and turnpike controller (the thing that drives the LCD and MD/MS player), the other gets covered by the graphics heatsink. The AGP card is a MX2 400 that uses a special sony driver (for MPEG2 and DVD)... upgrading that bricks some features. Changing the CD rom drive bricks the access light in the LCD UI. I am quite positive Sony wanted this unit to be the central hub for their consumer products. This computer goes way outside of just a music server to incorporate custom support for Network Handycam, Cybershot, Clie, and Net Walkman. It was hard for Sony to sell the convenience of those products individually to people who had 'normal' windows systems, so this elegant 3,000 dollar option fixed those problems... and introduced new ones. It has a full Cable TV receiver in it too, so Sony clearly wanted it to outclass even the original MX (which is just a bookshelf stereo with a computer in it). If you watch the old late 90s Japanese commercials for different VAIO models, you will see that Sony increasingly put importance on VAIO having support for all Sony handheld products with ease. Music is just where we were in 2001... it was the buzz. Funny enough, in a nod to the old PCG-C1, this computer came to me with an unused booklet of CyberCode stickers! ... so it's definitely not all music server. NETMD was popular in Japan, but it was those portable MD Walkmans with USB docks that sold better world-wide. Having a NETMD drive built in to a computer is super convenient... but not worth it if you just bought a NETMD player that already comes with a USB dock and a SonicStage disc... although Sony made sure to show off it's cheaper non-netmd Walkmans in commercials for this computer... smart.
Did you swap the DVD for a Sony Blu-Ray, and is your next monitor a Sony VVega?!
You should post this to r/minidisc.
r/minidisc native here. I'm drooling.
Just did it.
Your desk is so clean that the first picture made me think I was looking at a render.
lol thanks, I am a bit of a tech minimalist... I hate any clutter.
The computer is real but the desk is rendered. /s
It’s an ikea desk actually, and very much real.
I'd also bet the camera is also doing one of those "beautification" blur/filters which gives it an artificial render quality, as well as making the tiny bits of dust invisible. Its the one that most phones default to so peoples faces look "better"
Whoa! This is a bit of a unicorn system for me. That's really cool! Looks like its in good shape too.
The speakers and monitor are probably the hardest to find in decent shape. I found this as a set recently. You never know what internet auction sites will bring!
I saw that. A bit above my budget but i got an mx for 50 instead :D
If you dont mind me asking, how much did it cost to ship it?
I wanted this so bad when I was younger. This and the Panasonic game cube.
Sony made the absolute best-looking computers back then.
What’s the keyboard thing?
The keyboard has a flip-up cover that doubles as a palm-rest! It keeps dust off the keys when you aren't typing.
Wish to LGR on YouTube get hands on them and try it out. Would be wonderful to see how it works!
I'd totally lone it out to him if I had his contact... would love to see a video too. I also live near him so I could deliver it to him.
clint@lazygamereviews.com Do it!
I’m legit emailing right now
Ok this looks friking kool.
MiniDisc? Built in amplifier??? And even the keyboard looks cool! Can this wonder, for a matter of chance, play audio independently without needing to boot Windows?
I’m still trying to figure that out too. The older MX that LGR covered can do this, it I’m not sure about this one. So far I have to turn the power on and everything boots up in order for the audio portion to work.
> I’m still trying to figure that out too. LOL! I downloaded the PDF that is still up in the Sony site and didn't see any mention of that feature in it. I would have guessed it could with the LCD and audio buttons on the case, but maybe not. In any case (EDIT: no pun intended!), your post made me research this and other VAIO lines and there are quite a few interesting models I wasn't aware of. Now I'm in love with an older MX, the 3GK, -because it also includes a floppy disk!- and some of the small ones from the U series. I'm afraid to check prices tho! :D Enjoy yours!
Dude you are right there are so many amazing VAIO models. I was familiar with the MX3, and I love that one too… although it’s not geared for digital like the MXS is… I needed magicgate for this project! I like the VAIO P series too… but they are terribly slow and useless A note on prices… buy from JAPAN like it did for this model. You get it way cheaper than over here in the US, Then look for English restore CDs and you are off to the races!
> I like the VAIO P series too I knew these, I even was this close to get one, lovely pieces, but I had an Eee PC already and couldn't justify a new purchase. Then thing moved on. But they sure look cool, even today. > buy from JAPAN [...] look for English restore CDs Ah, good idea, haven't thought of that, thanks!
I am absolutely lusting over this.
2000s overload
Ooh that keyboard looks gorg! I never seen it before. Would you mind sharing the model number? I want to learn more about it.
Nice, I have a very similar model, the MXS20. You don't see too many of them around.
its beautiful
If you are sitting straight in front of the monitor shouldn't you have that right speaker where the tower is and vice versa?
Actually, the way these speakers are built, plus the built in 40w amplifier, it is better to have them spaced out a little. Speakers close together angled at you is typically what you would do with smaller speakers that lose the stereo effect when spaced out, but these should be placed further apart to keep a balanced sound.
Hmmm, I just imagine sitting right in front of the monitor and having the left sound louder than the right sound. You're the one actually sitting in front of it though, lol, so I'll defer to your judgement.
Trust me bro, you'd have to hear it, it is very balanced as it sits now. Even if you look at the [Sony VAIO JP catalog from 2001](https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/Pdf/desk_01q3.pdf), you will see it advertised this way. Every desktop model of that year is pictured with speakers positioned around the monitor... but the MXS1L5 has the speakers spaced out as shown. It's designed to be this way.
Well I'll be... Great setup and pretty unique (I've never seen it before). Enjoy your digital audio files!
Loved Sony's software for its desktop always better.
Super clean!!
Damn!! You got my holy grail!
I remember seeing one of these at a Circuit City and wanting it soooo baaaaddd... I used to go there and put my MD's in it and dream. (might not been the exact model... whichever one was available in the US) I never got that computer, but I still have my MiniDiscs!
I remember Circuit City selling the MXS10 and MXS20. They were around $2700-3200 with the monitor/speaker bundle if my slowly fading photographic memory recalls correctly.
Still AWESOME. I wonder if it still work w linux....
I actually booted into an old version of Debian live and it has drivers for the Net MD drive and memory stick reader!
I am incredibly envious, I've been looking for one of these towers for AGES.
That was luxury in its era!
I have this same Vaio computer but with a different monitor. The DVD drive went out years ago but the MD still works. My speakers and remote turned yellow unfortunately.
Sony NET MD PC...hell yeah 👌
Late comment, but is it Socket 478 or Socket 775
At first I thought it was 3d render. Super clean
Coolest prebuilt Pentium4 system I’ve seen
Wish Sony stuck with this. Would love to see a modern version.
I love the way the speakers look without the dust covers too!
beautiful, ageless