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Review 1 of 2
, from Seattle, WA, USA Strengths:
The best thing is the SQ when coupled w/ the 20-bit Nak DAC-41. Sonically, virtually indistinguishable from the CD45z HU I use in conjunction w/ the MB-70. Weaknesses:
Mechanical noise, sensitivity to dust/dirt/CD surface flaws, hates rough roads w/ a vengence, hates certain CDs (originals, surprisingly NOT CD-Rs) no matter what, ssllloooooowwwww operation, non-matching finish to same-brand HU. Summary:
All right, for you Nak HU owners/wannabees out there...
From previous experience, the MB-70 is unquestionably the best-sounding changer I've heard, though my experience is generally limited to the two units I listed above, and as such, that isn't saying all that much--neither are knockout performers. But because I think so highly of the HU the 70 is hooked to (a Nak CD45z), and I believe the SQ of the MB-70, when routed through a DAC-41, is equal to that of the 45z, I'll go out on a limb and say that sonically the MB-70 is among THE very best mobile changers of any type.
However, it's not w/o other faults--see the Weaknesses listed above. Biggest dissapointment, though not unexpected, is the slow disc feed/retrieve speed (I have an home MB CD changer, so the experience isn't new). The price I pay for having the discs RIGHT at my figertips, though in practice, WHY do I need to??? Guess when faced w/ actually USING the unit in realtime/realworld rather than in some dealer showroom, reality bites. Disc changes are noticeably slower than w/ remote-mounted changer unit designs, though I admit the MB's changing operation has never hung up, even though the noises it makes feels like it could at any time. The Kenwood I mentioned above was briefly hooked up to my 45z prior to the arrival of the MB-70 thru the HU's AUX inputs; though the SQ doesn't compare--not EVEN close--the relative ease of use of the KW can't be ignored. Also, I really hate the MB-70 when it encounters regular store-bought music CDs that it can't understand at all (though if I burn a copy of that same disc, it reads w/ no problems whatsoever). And the finish? I prefer the matte finish of the MB-70, but it's not near to matching the HU's shiny plastic. Dunno what Nak was thinking about there.
Summary: IF Nakamichi ever got around to making a remote-mounted cartridge-load changer box, I'd choose that over this in-dash concept in a heartbeat. My past experience w/ such designs tells me I prefer the ease of disc loading of those units over this in-dash operation (my Kenwood chassis was actually mounted in the passenger compartment of the car, so access was easy). All Nak has to do is work on making it small enough to mount virtually in any nook in the cabin; THAT would be THE perfect Nakamichi changer. Changer cartridges can be loaded up AT HOME; infinitely preferable to fumbling around w/ jewel cases or storage cases in the front seat of a dark car. And finally, it would be nice if they made sure the bloody thing is capable of reading ALL store-bought music CDs. The prime priciple of changers is convenience; the MB-70 may have all the sonic oomph in the universe, but on the convenience side of the ledger, it's well behind.
If it weren't for the SQ, this thing would never have seen the 3-star ratings I'm giving it. Similar Products Used:
Previous mobile changers owned: original, very 1st Sony 10-disc DiscJockey (hardwired and switched, not RF, into Nak TD-700 HU), Kenwood KCD-C560(?)6-disc (RFed into OEM BOSE system, later AUXed/RFed to 45z).
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