I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice to buy a JB3, so I'll be the different one (I use Hi-MD).
Buy Sony Hi-MD, not Sharp. With Hi-MD, you CAN change the levels while recording (not true of the Sony MD).
Use a battery box. Mic > batt box > Hi-MD, line-in. Use Linear PCM, go to PC via USB into SonicStage3 which will output the .wav for you.
+t for joining the ranks of the tapers. I've enjoyed the tapes of so many tapers, I felt I wanted to contribute myself. There are a lot of good people here, and lots of good info.