Feature:
Features are terrible - worse than some MP3 players half the cost. Can't forward or reverse through a recorded track, can't add tick marks or tracks breaks to a recording (either during or after recording)! Can only play continuously either all tracks (sequential or shuffle) or a single track repeatedly. In other words, you can't play a single track and stop (making the sleep shutoff useless). Can only play at 1/2 speed which sounds "digital" for MP3 128kpbs recordings. Battery life very limited.

Quality:
The quality seems to be OK. The case is plastic. The knobs and all seem durable, but the buttons are hard to push and don't activate easily/consistently. Sometimes the device gets into a strange rut that you need to power off/on to reset.

Value:
The product is way overpriced for what it is. Mainly because the functions are so limited. Marantz PMD 660 is a better deal for a quality recorder. Don't be fooled by the fact this can play more MP3 formats than the Marantz PMD 660, because the MP3 playback mode of the Edirol R1 is so limited it is almost useless.

Desirability:
The concept is excellent. It also has appeal because there is not much to compete with it right now. However, once you get it (plan on waiting months), you will realize that this unit is lacking. If you are careful with cash, wait for something better.

Sound:
Overall recorded sound through the internal mics is good. Pick up is excellent for soft and loud sounds simultaneously, although the input volume may be too low for some applications (OK for live acoustic instruments and amplified music/speech). Plug-in mics may be hard to find. Effects are nearly worthless for adding quality to the sound - a good equalizer would have been better. Unit makes a loud click whenever the microphone is plugged/unplugged (don't have it in your ear!) Sounds digital (in a cheap way) when playing some externally created MP3 files.

Support:
Received feedback from an e-mail to the manufacturer about availability, but didn't a receive response from a similar e-mail with a technical question.

Overall:
My friend ordered in Dec and recieved in May. I will not get it for myself. I'll get the Marantz PMD 660 for quality recording. For casual listening and music practice, I will stick with my little iRiver MP3 player, which has way more functionality for a fraction of the cost.