I have a Sony MiniDisc player (MZR500) and also a RIO Volt.
Either will do compressed or noncompressed.
The mini-disc with 80 minute discs using the 2X ATRAC (160 minutes) compression is a higher quality than MP3 or WMA at even high bit rates (+128)IMHO.
You do not have to use this option, however.
The 2x option on minidisc is also almost indistinguishable from CD's.
I do have decent headphones (K0SS 35's) and would highly recommend a mini-disc player over any portable format out there. The size and sound quality are great.
I have heard the hard drive based players and for pure storage they are great, but size is generally bigger.
Either will do compressed or noncompressed.
The mini-disc with 80 minute discs using the 2X ATRAC (160 minutes) compression is a higher quality than MP3 or WMA at even high bit rates (+128)IMHO.
You do not have to use this option, however.
The 2x option on minidisc is also almost indistinguishable from CD's.
I do have decent headphones (K0SS 35's) and would highly recommend a mini-disc player over any portable format out there. The size and sound quality are great.
I have heard the hard drive based players and for pure storage they are great, but size is generally bigger.