▸MD-S10

005   |   Sharp   |   '93  01.28

Outside Beautiful，Inside Powerful

When the MD portable players first entered the scene, they were often bulky and heavy due to the limitations of technology, which somewhat constrained their design aesthetics more focused on function and practicality than on aesthetics.

However, Sharp, one of the key manufacturers of MD players, had a different vision. Their debut presentation was a stunning display of beauty and confidence. Since the main unit lacked an LCD screen, it was equipped with MD first LCD remote control in the history, allowing users to control tracks and monitor functions without direct interaction with the main unit. The elongated shape was also ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip. This design approach kept the main unit elegant and stylish. Unfortunately, the headphones were integrated with the line control, which meant that when the headphones wore out, the entire line control needed to be replaced.

For the rather substantial S10, Sharp's ingenious designers used a unique and bold mix of colors to enhance the device's visual appeal and make its weight feel like a high-quality feature. The luxurious Brilliant Green and stylish Brilliant Violet, even their color names were as unique as their official designations.

The biggest drawback, however, was its power supply. Equipped with a 4.8V 600mAh nickel-cadmium battery, it could only provide a brief 90-100 minutes of playback after a long 5-hour charge. It couldn't be extended with an external battery pack, and purchasing an extra battery cost a hefty ¥5,000. The S10 seemed more suited for home listening scenarios.

The S10 was a device of outer beauty and inner strength. As a first-generation model, it set the standard with its compact and lightweight design, even surpassing the aesthetics of many later-generation MD players, in the opinion of enthusiasts. With its premium build quality and unique color options, especially the Brilliant Green variant, it became a rare and highly sought-after gem in the world of MD players.

In Nov, '19, a brand-new unused S10 made its debut on Yahoo Auctions, but unfortunately, it sold for a remarkably low price of ¥13,249.

MZ-E2