Matt - I've tried using a quality Sony stereo condenser mic with both a Sony Minidisc recorder, and directly into my Mac Book Pro using both Garageband and Audacity. The minidisc recorder quality is excellent - to my ears - but it's all personal taste.

I think it would be hard for the casual listener to distinguish between a WAV file generated by a computer and the compressed minidisc equivalent - on domestic equipment, at any rate. And both the Zoom and the minidisc are very portable which, if you don't have a laptop, can be an advantage.

Just my two-pennorth... :-)