Can I play voice recorder files through my hi-fi system?

Q  I have a Sanyo A190M voice recorder that I use to record outdoor sounds. I transfer these to my computer and edit them, but they can only be played back through the computer.

What I would really like to do is put them onto a disc that will playback over my hi-fi system. Is this possible?
Terry Buchanan

A  The Sanyo A190M records and saves audio as MP3 files, which can then be transferred to a PC via USB – we assume that you have already worked out this much. The trouble is that many standard domestic CD players, of the kind that forms part of your hi-fi system, have no idea what MP3 files are.

As a result, the files will need to be converted before being burned to disc. Fortunately, Windows will offer to do this when copying MP3s to a blank CD in Windows Explorer and use the CD Writing Wizard – just be sure to choose the audio CD option as part of this.

However, this could be more hassle than is necessary. Instead, the voice recorder could be connected straight to the hi-fi for direct playback through the hi-fi’s speakers.

The Sanyo A190M has a headphone socket than could be used for this purpose and your hi-fi probably has phono input sockets – so just buy a suitable lead to string between the two.