▸MZ-EPS11

078   |   Sony   |   '97

SPECIAL EDITION

限量的奢華

Sony新聞稿指出，日本國內MD硬體市場由'96年起正式邁向普及期，附帶MD的家用音響，於'96年達到總金額銷量的50%，'97年更預計將超越70%。隨著家用錄音編輯環境的完善化，MD Player需求將更進一步擴大。

強調置於口袋即可簡單換片的MZ-EPS11，似乎向Slot In換碟一戰成名Sharp叫陣，由Sony自行開發"Head Loading Mechanrism"抬頭式進片機構，以垂直上下向並僅需單手即可簡單效率地入 / 退碟。

本作為七月發售的MZ-EP11限定版本，發售日可能早於EP11的六月。主差異在於抬頭機構部採鍍金加工讓整體更顯華貴奢侈，不過可能由於非高階系列算是款鮮為人知的極冷門機型，推測發行數量可能為一萬台。

繼承自MZ-E50、MZ-E30所開發的低功耗LSI，僅需少少的1.5V需求即可驅動並擁有超跑級的1小時急速滿充電。

而身為MD初　 可直接收納AAx 1的兼容電池機身，無需外接電池盒的高自由度而整體上仍維持極佳的18.5mm厚度。也可選購外接DC變壓器、支援車用供電。

較可惜的是並未同步導入新型Stick Controller線控，造型設計不太搭嘎的液晶線控可顯示片假名、英、數文字顯示，曲目、電力等，但不具背光照明。採分離式設計讓用戶可自行購入替換但僅限Sony Micro Plug規格耳機。

相較主流於體積及電力的論長短爭厚薄，本次著重於使用者體驗的設計規劃，也許正是這樣的起點理念獲得了當年Good Design Award的青睞～

Limited Luxury

Sony's press release stated that the domestic MD hardware market in Japan officially entered the popularization phase in '96. Home audio systems with MD reached 50% of total sales by '96, and it was expected to exceed 70% by '97. As home recording and editing environments became more sophisticated, the demand for MD players was anticipated to grow even further.

Emphasizing the convenience of pocket-sized disc swapping, the MZ-EPS11 seems to challenge Sharp's famous Slot In mechanism. Sony developed its own "Head Loading Mechanism," a vertical loading system that allows efficient single-handed disc insertion and ejection.

This model is a limited edition of the MZ-EP11, set to be released in July, possibly earlier than the EP11 in June. The main difference lies in the gold-plated head-loading mechanism, adding a touch of luxurious elegance. However, being a non-premium series, it remains relatively unknown and rare, with an estimated production run of only 10,000 units.

Inherited from the MZ-E50 and MZ-E30, the low-power consumption LSI requires only 1.5V and supports a rapid one-hour full charge.

As an early MD player, it features a body compatible with AA x1, offering high flexibility without the need for an external battery pack while maintaining an excellent overall thickness of 18.5mm. An optional external DC adapter supports car power supplies.

Unfortunately, the new Stick Controller remote was not introduced. Instead, it comes with an LCD remote that can display kana, English, and numeric characters for track and battery information, though it lacks backlighting. The separate design allows users to purchase replacements, but only Sony Micro Plug standard earphones are compatible.

While mainstream models compete on size and power, this model focuses on user experience design, which perhaps earned it the Good Design Award that year.

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MD1500