I bought the the only Pioneer recordable portable mini disc player August of 1999. I got this cool player from a Asian dealer on yahoo auctions. In Japan it was listed at a retail value close to 400$. More likely it would cost around 300-350 here. I got a great bargain and got the recordable player with ear buds,manual,battery extender attachement,analog output cord,carrying strap, and a nice silk carrying case for 215$! This unit runs incredibly great for me. It has the functions of a normal disc player, 40 esp, divide erase add,ect.. It also has a time saving jog dial and large lcd screen with frequency rate. I is pocket size with a nice silver with blue finish. The remote is also nice and light. It has glow function, controls on the side not on it directly like the Sharp md-ms722. The sound on my Pioneer model is great and just as good if not better than the sony's. Because its a 1999 model, it is heavier and larger than the new ones out today. I also didn't get a warranty from the auctioner which made me mad but it would have only been good for 1 year and mine is doing fine so far. E-mail me at tedsaid@yahoo.com with questions or comments. Peace yall...