Operates faultlessly
This player takes CDs, including CD-Rs and CD-RWs with 20+ hours of mp3 on them, in stride. It plays them through, and does fast forward and rewind about as well as my solid-state mp3 player. Utilizing CD-RWs, I use this unit instead of a juke box. I still use my solid-state mp3 player only because it is more compact than this unit. As I prefer having TV audio available, no other player/receiver would have entirely satisfied me. The impressive technical accomplishment of this product will cause me to favor Sony products in future.

The exterior design does leave things to be desired. The control buttons are cheesy and hard to operate. The display is too small. Instead of a carrying case or an anchor for a strap, there is a stupidly designed protruding flexible handle that makes the unit twice as bulky as it needs to be.

---

Great for CD's, lousy with MP3's and ATRACS.
Pros:
1. Long battery life.
2. Decent sount (on CD's).
3. Easy to read display.

Cons:
1. Plays first quarter of an MP3 fine, then it starts scratching and eventually stops.
2. Plays first tenth of an ATRAC disk fine, then it starts scratching and eventually stops.
3. Takes about 5 - 10 minutes (not seconds!) to read a MP3 disc before playing.
4. Button placement makes it easier to use with your left hand rather than right.
5. You have to press a button rather hard and long to make the function work.

In other words, if you listen to the radio and CD's only - and are left handed, this is the perfect player for you!