oscillik

nope, i don't have a headphone amp as i believe that the built-in amp should be sufficient. if a built-in amp isn't sufficient, then what's the point? i see what you're saying about a big library of music, but i can actually fit 7 hours of Hi-SP recorded audio on a single Hi-MD so i'm ok :)

mine is the Sony MZ-RH1 Hi-MD Recorder 1. it has the best quality audio output i have ever heard on a portable music player - easily trumps the iPod (any model) 2. it has multiple methods of input for recording (optical, line in, mic in) with variable gain and mic sensitivity selector 3. can record MDs in the new Hi-MD spec which gives better sounding ATRAC3plus compression, along with Linear PCM recording and records onto the new 1GB MDs 4. media is VERY cheap, can be found on eBay for a bargain 5. battery is user replaceable i love my Hi-MD recorder