Update: aight, I'm keeping it. Check out my new next gen audio rig 3000:
I cleaned it out and it seems to work fine. The drive belts seem okay: not dry, but maybe a little loose, although the BPM of the music sounds about right. I paid $50 for it.
I have no bloody idea why I'd need it or would want to keep it. I just wanted to try it out, knowing that the store's policy is "no questions asked" if I return it within 30 days. Also, retro is fun...?🤣
It's only my shitty opinion but only the green level meter appeals to me. But you can keep it until you find one that is more cyberpunk, futuristic, or retro. Or until you find a large deck that can play MiniDiscs (now THAT would be my life's achievement).
MiniDisc was peak. I really wish they still manufactured the players and discs.
It's impossible to find a working MiniDisc recorder these days. I have two units and the record function thinks it works, completes the operation, then when I check playback there is nothing there.
I've contacted people selling these with the text "fully tested & working" in their description. In every case they haven't tested recording and when they do, it doesn't work.
It's such a shame. All our local electronics repair guys have retired and the current generation just do phones.
Hold my beer. 🤣 I'm off to another thrift store as we speak.