The "Third Generation" Sony MZ-RH1 MD recorder, which has been out about a year now, does allow fast USB upload of files recorded on the MD via Sonic Stage Version 4.3, but it is the only one that does. It is a hard wiring thing, so connecting an older recorder via the current version of SonicStage doesn't solve it and you still have to use the old method for those. The older models all have to be played into the soundcard in real time as you say. You CAN upload old recordings using an MZ-RH1 though (but they cost GBP200).

Darowyn, who makes these Memory card recorders please? The SD card built into my Pure Evoke 3 is brilliant for recording from DAB, but it will only record from DAB and not FM, so I'm looking for something in case MD does disappear. MD is SO much better than cassette tape