Personal Stereo Recorders
The uses for personal stereo recorders are wide and varied. However, they are most often used by bands and musicians who want a high quality recording with the convenience of a Dictaphone.
A stereo digital recorder works by having two microphones, sometimes they can be adjusted but are usually set up to be facing each other at an angle to get a true stereo sound.
The microphones are of a much higher quality than what you may find in a Dictaphone, which are generally used for recording basic voice notes and quality is not paramount.
Stereo digital recorders also record the data on to flash memory cards like SD cards or compact flash cards which means you can store dozens of hours worth of high quality music on a tiny piece of plastic and then easily transfer it to your computer when required.
Possibly the biggest advantage of a stereo digital recorder is the size to recording quality ratio. For something that is a hand held device, it can provide the same audio quality which until a few years ago you could only get with heavy equipment which had to be set up and plugged in. With a portable stereo recorder it's simply a case of switching it on and holding it (or placing it) in the desired location.
Many of these devices also come with additional features and the prices can vary between $200 for a basic recorder up to $800 for something with all the bells and whistles.