I came across the Olympus DM 550 when I first started university last year. I am dyslexic and qualified for DSA and they recommended this model for me and as they were paying for it I accepted. I was very sceptical at first as I have had a different, much cheaper olympus voice recorder while at college and did not use it much due to the quality of play back. I found it to pick up any sound close to it, like paper rustlingand the lecturers voice would be muffled. I did not expect my new one to be any different but how wrong I was -

The Voice recorder
When I first had it delivered I was impressed with its looks and quality alone. It is quite slim (thicker than an MP3 player though) and the funtions on it are easy to understand. Mine is a shiney black colour but I think it also comes in silver. It is heavier than my previous voice recorder but is by no means a brick. It also came with batteries and a charger (it has 51hrs battery life but I have never used it for more than 7 hrs).

In Use
It is very easy to use, it has a booklet with it but to be honest it is quite self explanitory. The recording can be played back at different speeds which is quite amusing and the quality is crystal clear. It seems to just pick up the voices and eliminates all background noises.

Other features

It has a music store which I have never used so cant say much about it but its there none the less.

It has a USB charge function.

It has built-in Stereo Noise cancelling microphones
Versatile recording quality options, including high quality PCM recording

Enhanced voice guidance system

Simple to manage: five storage folders plus music folder (up to 200 messages per folder), one music folder, plus automatic archiving and synchronisation

Audible support

Podcast function with bookmarking for easy stop-and-go listening

Advanced Euphony options: expands the sound space to convey more realistic playback

Manual recording level control

Customisable playback speed of 50-200%

Case that converts to table-top stand included

Optimal for blind and visually impared people (tactile buttons and Voice Guidance)

Price
Now here is the not so good bit - it costs a whopping £185 which had I not got mine free I would not have purchased it but in saying that now I know how good it is I may well be tempted. They say you get what you pay for and in this case that is very true. I cannot fault it.