Sony MDS-W1

Source: MiniDisc Wiki contributors · September 3, 2026 snapshot · CC BY 4.0, except where otherwise credited.

Attribution and changes

Adapted from “Sony MDS-W1”. 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-W1
Manufacturer	Sony
Released	1998/06
Device type	deck
MDLP	No
NetMD	No
Hi-MD	No
Radio	No
Dimensions	430 x 120 x 295mm
Weight	5.2Kg
ATRAC ver	4.5
Power cable	AC
Price (launch)	Not recorded
Price (launch)	¥89 000
-
Inputs	RCA in, Digital optical (TOSLINK), Digital coaxial
Outputs	1/4 inch headphone, RCA out, Digital optical (TOSLINK)
Control	Not recorded

ATRAC 4.5 Double MD deck.

This deck is special in that it allows songs to be moved easily between discs in the digital domain (bit-perfect no reprocessing). Note the unit will erase the tracks from the source disc as it copies them to the second disc for the "defrag" procedure.

MD → MD copying is possible. All data (track names, disc titles) are also transferred* (read the manual for caveats)

Simultaneous playback + recording is possible.

Came with RM-D22M remote.

Model Name Using Similar Mechanism: MDS-JE520
MD Mechanism Type: MDM-5B
Optical Pick-up: KMS-260A/J1N
ATRAC IC: CXD2654R

User comments

Think of this machine as two independent MD decks. Each MD drive has a complete set of controls, including AMS knob and buttons for edit/yes, display mode, source select, etc. The large (140 x 40) dot matrix display allows a small "GUI"-like interface that's reasonably well laid out and straightforward to read and use. All buttons and messages in English (manual was Japanese however). Regarding inter-disc move: Inter-disc move runs at 4 times realtime (a 60 minute disc can be moved in 15 minutes). There are two move modes, "whole disc" and "single track". Whole disc mode moves all the tracks from one disc only onto a blank disc, defragmenting while moving. Single track mode moves a single track onto the end of the target disc, defragmenting while moving. The normal input sources available for each drive are: optical #1, optical #2, coax, analog, analog from other drive and digital from other drive (in this case digital means S/PDIF, observing SCMS limitations). Unit has pitch control (you must enter a menu to adjust it) and line out level control. Can do "relay" recording; if set, when recording comes within 10 minutes of the end of one disc it starts recording on the next one.

Content adapted from: Sony Press Release Minidisc.org Page, Audio Heritage Page (Japanese) Sony Product Park Sony Product Park (MiniDisc Wiki mirror)