I've held off getting Hi-MD due to the lack of a home hi-fi separates option. Decided to e-mail Sony (UK) and ask if they had any plans to release one and got the following reply: "Thank you for your recent enquiry. At present there are no plans to introduce a Hi-MD separate system and I am not aware of any future plans to release this type of product. It is therefore with regret that I am not able to provide any information on such a product at this time, but should we launch this type of product in the future details will be posted on our website, www.sony.co.uk. I am sorry for any disappointment this may cause." Wasn't especially surprised but disappointing anyway