Source: MiniDisc Wiki contributors · September 3, 2026 snapshot · CC BY 4.0, except where otherwise credited.
Attribution and changes
Adapted from “Sony MDS-JA30ES”. 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-JA30ES |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Released | 1998/09 |
| Device type | deck |
| MDLP | No |
| NetMD | No |
| Hi-MD | No |
| Radio | No |
| Dimensions | 430x125x345mm |
| Weight | 9.3Kg |
| ATRAC ver | 4.5 |
| Power cable | AC |
| Price (launch) | Not recorded |
| ¥120 000 | |
| - | |
| Inputs | RCA in, Digital optical (TOSLINK), Digital coaxial |
| Outputs | 1/4 inch headphone, RCA out, Digital optical (TOSLINK) |
| Control | Not recorded |
Features: ATRAC 4.5 (IC: CXD2537R). Very similar to Sony MDS-JA50ES (below), with these differences: 1) 20 bit delta-sigma A/D (vs. 24 bit in JA50ES), 2) includes newly developed S-TACT IC pulse generation section [for DAC], reducing digital and analog noise, 3) has only one R-core transformer (vs. 2 in the JA50ES). Remote: RM-D14M
User comments: In comparison to the JA50ES, the '50 seems to have far better construction and power supply. As a result, it has slightly better numbers in dynamic range (105dB vs 104dB) and S/N ratio (108dB vs 107dB). These numbers are for playing back, so the difference in A/D converters has no effect. Notice that JA50ES is really heavy (14.3kg vs 9.3kg for the '30). If you look and touch these units, you can feel the difference of materials.
Specs: Dynamic range: 104dB. S/N (manual: >104dB, brochure: >107dB, German Stereo magazine: >112dB). Freq. resp: 5-20kHz +/-0.3dB. THD: brochure: <.002%, German Stereo magazine: <.0012/.0013 (L/R). Line in: 47 kOhm, 500mV rms (min: 125mV rms). Coax in: .5Vp-p +/-20%, 75 Ohms. Optical in: 660nm. Line out: 2Vrms@50 KOhms, impedence: 10 KOhms. Digital out: -18dBm, 660nm. Phones: 28mW, 32 Ohms. GaAlAs laser output: 780nm @ <44.6 micro watts (measured at 200mm for the object lens surface of the optical pick-up block with 7mm aperture).
Content adapted from: Minidisc.org Page
Manuals
Repair
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Photos
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Additional specifications and references
| Recorder | Recorder |
|---|---|
| Battery Page | |
| Sidecar | No |
| Voltage | |
| Remote Page | |
| Atrac Ic | CXD2537R / CXD2654 |
| Manual | |
| Region |