Hey thanks for the replies guys.
I think the socket it has is DIN - it has 8 pins in an arrangement similar to this picture [ http://www.discountcarstereo.com/images/images/8pindin.jpg] but the 8 are all around the outside of a larger middle hole and it isn't the 9 pin DIN because it looks completely different to mine... I'll post a pic in the morning and hopefully we can find out what I have.
In the meantime, great suggestions for recorders.
Also, that plugin idea would be a godsend, and would be ideal for many people who don't have the specific recorders, I'm sure!