THE BEST CHEAP RECORDING SOLUTION

["loop.pool" <looppool@cruzio.com>]

I was heartbroken to have my Sony recording MD player break down, 
irrevocably, on me recently.
I did almost my entire live looping CD with that machine.

I was also chagrined to find that Sony no longer offers an inexpensive 
recording MD player (mine was
about  $150 when I purchased it) and instead, cynically, only offers one 
for 
about $300.   Is there one on the market
in that cheaper range (sub $200)?

Anyway,    I had a conversation with a musician here while back (who I 
can't 
even remember) who swears by the
latest Mpeg format for recording.   He said the fidelity is amazing.

**************
**************

I am wondering:    with all you experts on this list:


WHAT IS THE BEST LIVE RECORDING MEDIUM THAT IS INEXPENSIVE  (please don't 
say a laptop).
I mean,  is there any elegant solution under $200?

as a subcategory for this thread, I'd also be curious what the distinction 
is in fidelity between Mini Disc and
say,  mp3s or other media.


thanks,   Rick