Carter

I'm considering purchasing a portable md recorder to record ambient natural sounds (thunderstorms, birdsong, etc.). I've had very good results with my md deck, a mixing board and two old sure-bg 4.0 condenser microphones. Can I achieve the same using a portable md recorder? Based on what I'm reading online - my concerns are: #1. the microphone input being quiet and, #2. being able to get the recorded signal out as cleanly as possible. I'm leaning toward Sharp md recorders (DR480? but I'd like to be able to use my good but old headphones and am concerned about plug compatability) and I have no idea what microphone (I'd like a single stereo mic but I'd like a wide stereo image and have my doubts about being able to get it without two mics with a bit of space between them.). Anyone out there trying to record low volume sounds? Carter Virginia, USA