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Best of Both Worlds
Pros
Good quality, plays CDs & MDs in single-DIN unit, good features, display not overly garish.
Cons
Out of production, hard to find. Worth the effort if you like MDs, though.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I've had this unit for about two years or so and haven't a single complaint with it. If you can find it, snatch it up.
I found this deck online through an Internet search and bought it new ("refurbished" actually) through a Las Vegas electronics retailer for about $275, the price I'd have paid for a decent CD-only deck (still on their site at http://www.crazyg.com/jvc/kd_mx3000.htm, but the price is a bit higher now). I have been nothing but pleased with the KD-MX3000. Having the ability to play both CDs and the (in my opinion) vastly superior MiniDisc in one single-DIN unit was just a dream come true.
It's really a shame MD never really took off in the U.S., but look at BetaMax and Apple. Both have generally been considered superior to their infinitely more popular counterparts (VHS and Windows), but in America, the lowest common denominator tends to win out most of the time. Such was the case with MD. It came on the scene later than the CD, but it's superior in virtually every way imaginable. This deck allows you to take advantage of that without forsaking the popularity of CDs (or recording your collection onto MDs).
The display is only slightly cheesy, and really pretty subdued considering the time in which this unit was produced (some car stereos had exceptionally obnoxious displays in the late 90s). The sound quality is great, there's sufficient power and all of the controls are logical and easy to learn.
You can name radio stations and CDs, whose titles (only for the CD, not individual tracks) will be remembered each time you play the disc. Of course, MDs have this feature inherently, as well as track titles. I especially like the "attenuation" button which reduces the volume drastically when pressed. Very handy for drive-thrus, etc. This unit also incorporates JVC's audio "cruise" feature which senses voltage fluctuations from your car's alternator and increases/decreases the volume accordingly. Some people like it, some don't -- and it can be switched off or on one of two levels.
It's really a shame MD never really took off in the U.S., but look at BetaMax and Apple. Both have generally been considered superior to their infinitely more popular counterparts (VHS and Windows), but in America, the lowest common denominator tends to win out most of the time. Such was the case with MD. It came on the scene later than the CD, but it's superior in virtually every way imaginable. This deck allows you to take advantage of that without forsaking the popularity of CDs (or recording your collection onto MDs).
The display is only slightly cheesy, and really pretty subdued considering the time in which this unit was produced (some car stereos had exceptionally obnoxious displays in the late 90s). The sound quality is great, there's sufficient power and all of the controls are logical and easy to learn.
You can name radio stations and CDs, whose titles (only for the CD, not individual tracks) will be remembered each time you play the disc. Of course, MDs have this feature inherently, as well as track titles. I especially like the "attenuation" button which reduces the volume drastically when pressed. Very handy for drive-thrus, etc. This unit also incorporates JVC's audio "cruise" feature which senses voltage fluctuations from your car's alternator and increases/decreases the volume accordingly. Some people like it, some don't -- and it can be switched off or on one of two levels.
