I have an MDMT770 Sharp, bulletproof, nice recordings and real easy on batteries ( 3 hours on the internal ,6+ hrs on one AA). IMHO, it's the mics and the room. If you have decent mics, the MD does just as well as my DAT (TCDD100). I usta use Coresound mics, but now have DPA 4061's. I'd compare my MD rec's with these to a lot of higher priced gear. 200 for the MD new (which was from Minidisc HK, which I think is now out of business) and 500 complete for the DPA's including conversion from Lemo to 1/8" mini and a Bat Box from Sound Pros)......just my 2 cents.....