With all due respect, MDs are not that complicated. The recommendation from the guy at Maplins was bizarre. The failure rate for electronic components these days is appalling. It is apparently cheaper to replace them than do QA on them. I recently bought a Sony mini system. Two of five were DOA right out of the box.

I've been using a minidisc recorder for a couple of years now. I take it to every music event and keep it going all the time. I use a Sony EGM-16 tie-clip mic ($20) where portability is important. I put the recorder in an available pocket and clip the mic to my shirt pocket or collar or neck (depending upon the sort of shirt I am wearing). The mic takes a thin battery about the size of a nickel. If I am planning to stay in one place for a while I use a Sony ECM-MS907 ($100) and a small stand. It takes a single AA battery.

I'm very happy with the sonic results of both mics. The files sound great played on my MD deck or transferred to a homemade CD.

Finally, check out minidisco.com