This is the best sounding hand held recorder that I've worked with, and I've owned quite a few. I've recorded live bands, sound effects, demos, and a world of other elements without ever having a negative experience. I do recommend purchasing the wind screen for exterior work, because the microphones are very sensitive to wind noise.

One of the best features is the intelligent limiter. It allows you to record at a premium level without worrying at all about distortion. This device records a second signal simultaneous to the user setting, but at 20db below, then automatically boosts the second signal to maximum gain before clipping, when it detects clipping in the main signal. I'm a sound effects editor/ sound designer, and this feature has saved my bacon all the time. Another extremely useful feature is the 5 second pre-record buffer which loads when you push the record button, but not the play button. I use this all the time, when I'm waiting to record Thunder, cars, birds, and whatever else is unpredictable. The built in hard drive has been all the record space that I've ever needed. I can record more than 4 hours of 24bit 48Khz material without the need for an external card.

In the same hand, you can adjust your record level, as well as your phone levels without interfering with your recording. The dials are open on the top and bottom, so this was a well thought out design. Once you've setup your preferences in the menus, which are very intuitive, this is as simple as it gets for operation.

This is a durable professional quality recorder. It looks and feels strong, and is extremely well designed for the professional or amateur on the move.

Unbeatable.

You'll never need it, unless it goes swimming or gets dropped out of your car. This recorder has been bullet proof for me.

I don't lust for any equipment, but this recorder has been in my kit for 2 years, and I take it with me wherever I go.

Supervising Sound Editor, Former Professional Musician, Former Recording Engineer

Blues, Jazz, R&B, Rock

Sound is excellent. Very sensitive, so don't move or touch it while recording or else you will get serious distortion. Better than the Marantz IMHO.

Not much, but extras aren't too expensive, so, all-in-all a decent deal. I got the 8GB Memory Stick for a little over $100.00. Doubles the recording time.

Once you read the manual, it works as advertized.

Excellent.

Very good value for the price.

Don't really know - haven't had to contact anyone yet. Frasnkly, I seriously doubt I wiil.

Compact and rugged and good looking.

Recorder

Jazz

This is by far the best tiny digital recorder on the marker. I have tried the Edirol R-09, the MicroTrack, and all have a lot of hiss, especially with external mikes. The Sony is the only one with high quality sound, and it's worth the extra hundred bucks or so.

It could use a windscreen for the built in mikes, although the thing sounds far better with external mikes, like an AT822. For a carrying case, I recommend getting a Sony PSP case. Although it's designed for a portable game player, it fits this thing perfectly.

Quite intuitive, lots of buttons, easy to figure out.

Seems quite solid, if a bit ornate looking.

a bit pricey, but it is a serious device.

no comment

It's certainly a cool lookin thing...

active musician, educator

jazz, experimental