Dodgy socket & mono sound from my Sony MZ-N1?

I have a similar problem on a Sanyo minidisc and have investigated it. The problem is the socket itself which is quite difficult to remove and replace or repair on the Sanyo and I imagine will be on your Sony too. The spring contacts on the socket seem to lose their bounciness after a while and don't make good contact with the plug. You may be able to get a tiny screwdriver in through the hole and bend the contact out a bit.

John Hamilton
May 2007