Source: MiniDisc Wiki contributors · September 3, 2026 snapshot · CC BY 4.0, except where otherwise credited.
Attribution and changes
Adapted from “Sony MDS-501”. Links, layout and file names normalized; missing database fields restored; remote embeds replaced with links. Manufacturer manuals and separately credited photographs retain their original attribution.
| Name | MDS-501 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Released | 1994/03 |
| Device type | deck |
| MDLP | No |
| NetMD | No |
| Hi-MD | No |
| Radio | No |
| Dimensions | 430x85x355 mm |
| Weight | 5.2Kg |
| ATRAC ver | 2 |
| Power cable | AC |
| Price (launch) | $1 000 |
| ¥108 000 | |
| - | |
| Inputs | 1/4 inch microphone, RCA in, Digital optical (TOSLINK) |
| Outputs | 1/4 inch headphone, RCA out, Digital optical (TOSLINK) |
| Control | Not recorded |
Features: ATRAC-2. Pulse type A/D converter. Hybrid pulse D/A converter. 45 bit digital filter. Jog dial for AMS, editing and title inputs. 25 track programming. Shuffle play. Music scan. Date function for archival purposes. Title input for disc and track records up to 1700 characters per disc and looper title, U/L case and numbers. Record level control. Remote commander remote control RM-DM1.
Notes: The 501 will save TOC information after the power is turned off only if the recorder had actually been set to timer-recording when the unit was turned on and recording had begun. Otherwise, power can be removed to "undo" an edit (or a recording!) on this machine. European version has a sampling rate converter, US version does not.
Mic *1 Input Impedance: 600 ohms, Rated input 0.8mVrms, Minimum input 0.25 mVrms
Line In Input Impedance: more than 47 kilohms, Rated input 500 mVrms, Minimum input 158 mVrms
Digital In: Optical wave length 660nm
* Except US, Canadian model only
Mechanism Type: MDM-1C
Base Unit Type: MBU-1A
Optical Pickup Block Type: KMS-140B
Revolutions: 400 to 900 RPM CLV
ATRAC IC: CXD2531BR
Content adapted from: Minidisc.org Page 5ch thread Stereo-Review-1994-03 - Release date estimated based on this review.
Manuals
Repair
Photos
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Additional specifications and references
| Recorder | Recorder |
|---|---|
| Scms | Yes |
| Battery Page | |
| Sidecar | No |
| Voltage | 100, 120, 100-230, 230 |
| Export | No |
| Remote Page | |
| Atrac Ic | CXD2531BR |
| Manual | User manual, Service manual |
| Region | Japan, US/Canada, Europe |