I have an M-Audio Microtrack II that I've been using for a while. It doesn't use AA batteries, but it can be powered via USB, so you can use one of those add-on USB adapter batteries, or just plug it in. The audio quality from the little stereo mike it came with is very good. I can set it in a room somewhere and it picks up everything clearly, and as long as I have the levels set right, I don't get any clipping. Even better results can be had by buying a better microphone, but I haven't done that yet.