Topic: Alto ALPHA MICtube - any good?

[sunjan]

The specs look OK for those on a tight budget. Like a watered-down UA-5, but lacking digital out:
http://www.altoproaudio.com/html/details.php?ID=34&

I found only one very old thread about this unit:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,3006.0.html

The trouble of powering in the field was mentioned. Does anyone know if the powering options have changed during the five years it's been in production, or does it still suck?