In the immortal words of Shania Twain "I went and done it!" Ordered the AT4033 from 8th St. for $289.00 w/free shipping. (Don't tell my wife, please. Credit cards are wonderful things.) Very excited 'cept now I have to actually write and record something. Thanks for your thoughts and guidance. I may have to be writing back though so I can ask you guys how to use the damn thing..."what the hell is this button for???" And I will have to torture you with my first AT4033 recording. BK