Well whether or not SonicStage has DRM built in or not, it has an awful interface and usability issues. I could list them all, but I don't have several weeks to spare :)
I use VoidMP3FM http://www.drvoid.com/ software - it's effectively 'donationware' software.
I would make sure there is an alternative that is compatible with the player you buy, as I'm not sure whether voidMP3FM will work with all Sony players.
Sound quality is absolutely top notch. The build of the device is rock solid, unlike an ipod that'll probably fail after a few months. Sony should supply a decent pair of headphones but I opted to get a pair of Creative EP-630, easily the best in-ear headphones I've ever heard.
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=441&product=11397
Atrac format is good - I would say quality wise slightly better than WMA on a kbps for kbps comparison. However due to having a large catalogue of MP3 files on my home PC, I'm sticking with MP3 for now rather than converting all my hundreds of CDs again. Also bear in mind the software I linked above only supports MP3.
Battery life on these players is huge so I don't think it'd make much difference playing atrac or mp3. If I plug it into my work PC for a couple of minutes before leaving the office, it lasts for another 2 hours or so... recharging isn't really an issue.
I use VoidMP3FM http://www.drvoid.com/ software - it's effectively 'donationware' software.
I would make sure there is an alternative that is compatible with the player you buy, as I'm not sure whether voidMP3FM will work with all Sony players.
Sound quality is absolutely top notch. The build of the device is rock solid, unlike an ipod that'll probably fail after a few months. Sony should supply a decent pair of headphones but I opted to get a pair of Creative EP-630, easily the best in-ear headphones I've ever heard.
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=441&product=11397
Atrac format is good - I would say quality wise slightly better than WMA on a kbps for kbps comparison. However due to having a large catalogue of MP3 files on my home PC, I'm sticking with MP3 for now rather than converting all my hundreds of CDs again. Also bear in mind the software I linked above only supports MP3.
Battery life on these players is huge so I don't think it'd make much difference playing atrac or mp3. If I plug it into my work PC for a couple of minutes before leaving the office, it lasts for another 2 hours or so... recharging isn't really an issue.